If you fulfill an important role at a company, the business will potentially try to limit what you do after you leave the company. Companies view such limitations as a way to protect their intellectual property and avoid unfair competition. Negotiating restrictive...
Noncompete Agreements
3 ways to cope with a non-compete agreement
You probably signed a non-compete agreement without much afterthought when you were hired. After all, you weren’t thinking of leaving your job any time soon. However, recent developments have found you mulling over how to get out of the agreement you signed earlier....
Why do companies use non-disclosure agreements?
If you sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), you have to honor it. You have a legally binding contract saying that you will not give up information that you know. You may take on a new job -- this is different than a non-compete agreement -- but you have to keep that...
How does “reasonableness” apply to non-compete agreements?
If you have company secrets to protect, it is reasonable to have new employees sign a non-compete agreement prior to beginning employment with your company. However, there are many unusual aspects to non-compete agreements which differentiate them from other...
Are executive non-compete agreements enforceable in Texas?
When searching for a new executive position, you should first understand how your current contract could impact your prospective employment. A non-compete clause is a common addition to many employee contracts. The National Law Review reports that between 16 and 18...
What can non-compete contracts for partners include?
Noncompete agreements are not limited to employers and their workers. As a business partner, you may also sign a non-compete with one or multiple partners that make up your partnership. Because you work as a business partner, your non-compete agreement will likely...
Understanding physician non-compete clauses
Texas physicians often have a wide selection of employers. However, it is critical to thoroughly read and understand the employment contracts when offered a position. Non-compete clauses may become deal-breakers if the restrictions significantly limit your job...
2 clauses to look for in executive contracts
The demand for leadership skills and technical ability is high. The demand is even higher if you have both of those things in combination. Still, that does not mean that every deal you get from headhunters — even from promising companies — is a good one. Some...
Determining whether a noncompete agreement is enforceable
Texas employers often include noncompete agreements in their employment contracts. After all, keeping trade secrets private is an important part of a successful business. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office notes that one of the conditions for information to qualify...
What are the required elements of a NDA?
Non-disclosure agreements are common in business. They seek to ensure that when a company hires you that you cannot share the information you learn about it. It helps keep business competitive and safeguard business processes, procedures and secrets. According to the...