Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA): Federal law enacted in 2016 that provides uniform federal protection for trade secrets and allows companies to file civil lawsuits in federal court for trade secret misappropriation
Economic Espionage Act: Federal law that criminalizes the theft or misappropriation of trade secrets with the intent to benefit foreign powers or cause economic harm
Computer Fraud and Abuse Act: Federal law that addresses unauthorized access to protected computers and information systems, relevant for digital confidential information
Electronic Communications Privacy Act: Federal law governing the interception and monitoring of electronic communications, important for protecting digital confidential information
Uniform Trade Secrets Act: State-level legislation (adopted by most states with variations) that provides framework for trade secret protection and enforcement at the state level
IRS Independent Contractor Guidelines: Federal guidelines determining the classification of workers as independent contractors versus employees, crucial for consultant agreements
HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act - Federal law protecting sensitive patient health information from disclosure without consent
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act: Federal law requiring financial institutions to explain their information-sharing practices and protect sensitive data
GDPR Compliance: European Union regulation with extraterritorial effect that may apply if the consultant handles EU resident data
Contract Law Fundamentals: Basic principles including consideration, enforceability, reasonable scope and duration, and clear definition of terms
First Amendment Considerations: Constitutional protections that may limit the scope of confidentiality agreements, especially in matters of public concern
Common Law Duty of Loyalty: Legal principle requiring consultants to act in the best interest of their clients and protect confidential information
State-Specific Employment Laws: Various state laws governing employment relationships, non-disclosure agreements, and confidentiality provisions
