San Jose Non-Compete Agreement

Find the right Non-Compete Agreement attorney in San Jose, CA

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Typically, a covenant not to compete is when a California employee agrees not to work for an employer's competitors when the employee leaves the company. Covenants not to compete are also known as "non-compete clauses". An employee who signs them either does so as a condition to employment or they can receive compensation for the agreement.

When are Covenants not to Compete Unenforceable?

It is difficult to know whether a judge will enforce a given non-compete agreement. Even though the interests of an employer are significant, California courts value a person's freedom to select the type of employment that they desire. Thus, courts will typically uphold only those covenants not to compete that they conclude to be reasonable. Covenants not to compete that a court will categorize as unreasonable include agreements that last for a long duration or that restrict the employee to an unreasonable geographic area around San Jose.

Covenants not to compete are also required to deal only with competitors who are reasonably related to the employer's line of industry. Finally, the employer needs to have an acceptable business purpose which justifies their motives in requiring their employee to sign a covenant not to compete.

Do I Need an Attorney when Dealing with a Covenant not to Compete?

A San Jose, California lawyer can help you review the covenant before you sign any agreements that might limit your rights. The lawyer can help you in negotiating modifications or if needed, they can possibly draft a new agreement which will be acceptable to both parties. Employers can receive useful advice from an attorney should they decide to sue a worker for breaching a covenant, and employees who have signed such covenants can also benefit from a lawyer's counseling.

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Life in San Jose

San Jose, California is a large city filled with families, universities, young professionals trying to make it in the Silicon Valley, and a diverse population! Some of San Jose's most visited attractions are the Children's Discovery Museum, Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, the HP Pavilion Center, the Tech Museum, San Jose Museum of Art, History Park, Winchester Mystery House, J. Lohr Winery, and Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park.

San Jose is also filled with great dining areas such as Santana Row, and great shopping with many malls such as Westfield's Valley Fair and Oakridge Shopping Centers. San Jose is also home to the Silicon Valley, an area that gave birth to companies such as Apple and Google, and a great place for small start-ups. Therefore, there is something for every type of professional in Silicon Valley.

To serve the Silicon Valley's legal needs, many law firms have office locations located in, or near, San Jose. These firms house some of the sharpest legal minds in the country. All in all, no legal need goes unattended in San Jose, California.

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