What Is A Covenant Not To Compete In Rhode Island?
In Rhode Island, a covenant not to compete generally requires that, upon leaving the company, an employee agrees not to be employed by their employer's competitors. A covenant not to compete may also be called a "non-compete clause". An employee who signs a covenant not to compete may receive compensation for the agreement, or in some cases the agreement is a condition for their being hired.
When are Covenants not to Compete Unenforceable?
Foreseeing whether or not a judge will uphold a covenant not to compete is generally difficult. While the employer?s interests are important, Rhode Island courts place great importance on an individual?s freedom to pursue the employment they want. Accordingly, courts have only upheld those agreements that they consider reasonable under the circumstances. A court will usually hold non-compete clauses to be unreasonable if they involve unusually long periods of time or if they cover a geographic region surrounding Newport that is excessively large.
Non-compete clauses are also limited in that they can only apply to competitors who are reasonably related to the industry of the employer. Finally, an employer is required to have a valid business reason in its motivation for imposing a covenant not to compete on an employee.
Do I Need an Attorney when Dealing with a Covenant not to Compete?
Since covenants could restrict your rights, you may wish to hire a Newport, Rhode Island lawyer to review any documents. They will be able to negotiate further changes to the covenant, and can draft an entirely new one that is acceptable to all parties if needed. 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.
Find a a Newport Lawyer that Specializes in Your Area of Need:
There are 27 Employment and Labor Law cases posted in Newport
Cases Posted to LegalMatch listed by ZIP Code:Non-Compete Lawyers in Other Rhode Island Cities
Life in Newport
Newport is located on Aquidneck Island, in Rhode Island's Newport County. It is near Providence. Why this area is popular is for the famous Newport Mansions and its reputation of being a New England summer resort. A nickname for Newport is the "City with the Summer White Houses."Some known areas include Salve Regina University, the Naval Station, the Naval War College, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, and the United States Navy Training Center. Other sites include Gooseberry Beach, Bailey's Beach, Ocean Drive, Newport Cliff Walk, Fort Adams, and the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Newport is also home to many law offices and small firms. These entities train attorneys to handle any and every legal need.
From its pictures, it is evident that Newport is a small, wonderful paradise hiding in Rhode Island. It is definitely a place to visit!
