This episode of the Deep Dirt Dive is all about the fundamentals of tariffs. We’ll cover what tariffs are, the different types, the agencies responsible for collecting and enforcing them, key tariff tools and related lawsuits, how tariffs are calculated, and—most importantly—how businesses, particularly in the construction industry, can navigate today’s complex tariff landscape.

ACREL Fellow, Jin Liu interviews Jennifer Diaz, President and founder of Diaz Trade Law—South Florida’s only law firm recognized by Chambers and Partners in its Spotlight for International Trade. Jennifer is a Board-Certified International Attorney who specializes in customs and international trade law and consulting. Before founding Diaz Trade Law, she led the Customs and International Trade practice at a prominent South Florida firm.

Mechanic’s liens are a way to secure payments for contractors, but also can cause significant title issues for lenders and owners. This program provides a primer on what one needs to know about Mechanic’s Liens from the title perspective.

In this episode, Joey Lubinski and Kevin Shepherd discuss the Corporate Transparency Act, which is a federal law passed in 2021 intended to counteract tax fraud, money laundering, and other financial crimes. The law requires that certain individuals report the “beneficial ownership” of privately-owned companies to the United States government. With few exceptions, the law created new obligations (and potentially new liability) for millions of companies across the country. Not surprisingly, it also generated legal challenges and is, in fact, currently enjoined from enforcement pending resolution of a lawsuit in Texas.

Kevin Shepherd is a partner at the Venable Law Firm. Kevin’s expertise in matters relating to money laundering, generally, and the Corporate Transparency Ac, specifically, are widely recognized and we think you will benefit from his insights on the law’s applicability even while its enforcement remains in limbo. You can learn more about Kevin from the Venable website: https://www.venable.com/professionals/s/kevin-l-shepherd

Guests will provide an overview of the proposed NAR Settlement as a result of various class action lawsuits in the real estate industry. They will review the framework of the practice changes that affect how real estate agents conduct business and get compensated and highlight industry challenges facing lenders and title agents, including the role of closing agents in disbursing compensation to real estate brokers at closing. They will also review the dispute resolution mechanisms in some proposed new real estate closing forms, and reveal opportunities where real estate attorneys may be able to provide additional services to buyers, sellers, and brokers.

Kristen King Jaiven is a real estate attorney in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and she focuses her practice on representing real estate brokers and agents. Kristen currently represents the 4th Appellate District on the Florida Realtor-Attorney Joint Committee and serves as Co-Chair of the Florida Bar Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section’s (RPPTL) Residential Real Estate and Industry Liaison Committee. Kristen also serves on the Florida Bar Consumer Protection Law Committee and on the Board of Directors of Signatures Gives Back, Inc.

Erin Michelle Miller is a real estate attorney in Jupiter, Florida, and she focuses her practice on assisting Buyers and Sellers with real estate transactions. Erin is Past Chair/Vice Chair of Real Estate Section of the Collier County Bar Association, and is a 2020-2022 Fellow of the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section’s (RPPTL) of the Florida Bar.