Need a Non-Compete Attorney in Florida?
Gould Cooksey Fennell represents employers in contractual and other disputes, such as employee non-compete agreements and non-solicitation agreements. We also represent employers in claims against former employees for theft of trade secrets and/or confidential business information.
Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation Agreements
In a volatile economy, employee non-compete agreements are a sensitive topic. Job searching can be difficult, and in a competitive landscape, it is not uncommon for potential employers to offer employees of certain companies better deals with the hope that such employers can capitalize from the knowledge the person has gained working for their competitor.
An employee non-compete agreement is generally enforceable in Florida. This means that companies who ask employees to sign such agreements may have the right to an injunction should a person start work at a competitor. If your former employee has accepted employment with a competitor and you deem that relationship unfair competition, you may be able to prevent that person from working for your competitor and may even be able to collect on the agreement.
If you are considering requiring your employees to sign non-compete agreements or employee non-solicitation agreements, our lawyers can help you draft this paperwork so that it is effective and enforceable in court. Generally, courts will not enforce non-competition agreements that are too broad in nature or do not place limits on the scope of the agreement. Our attorneys can make sure that your employee non-compete agreement protects you and your company to the greatest extent possible without compromising its enforceability.
In addition, these agreements must be restricted by length and geographical range. Because every company’s non-compete agreement must be structured to conform with the specific circumstances of that company, it’s important to work with a qualified non-compete attorney to ensure this important piece of documentation is structured and executed correctly.
Additionally, if you suspect a former employee of sharing trade secrets, you may be eligible for relief under the law. In the high-tech information age, it’s easier than ever to share this information, which makes it incredibly important for employers to protect themselves against the possibility of the theft of trade secrets. This law is designed to protect companies from this kind of unfair competition, and employers can typically sue former employees under this law even in the absence of a non-compete agreement. If an employee announces he or she is going to work for a competitor, time is of the essence to ensure that person does not, knowingly or unknowingly, share such protected information.
When you need a non-compete attorney in Vero Beach or the surrounding areas, our attorneys are ready to help. Contact us today.