What Is A Covenant Not To Compete In Washington?
A covenant not to compete generally implies that a Washington employee makes an agreement not to work for any of their employer's competitors should they leave the company for any reason. These covenants are typically called "non-compete clauses". Employees who sign them may either receive compensation or simply be required to agree as a condition for their employment.
When are Covenants not to Compete Unenforceable?
It is difficult to foresee whether a judge will enforce a given non-compete agreement. Even if the employee's interests may be important, Washington courts will certainly assign great weight to a person's freedom to choose the type of employment that is suitable for them. Accordingly, only those covenants which are deemed to be reasonable will be upheld by the court. 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 Lakewood that is excessively large.
Covenants not to compete are also required to deal only with competitors who are rationally related to the employer's line of industry. Lastly, the employer must have a valid business interest behind its motivation for mandating a covenant not to compete.
Do I Need an Attorney when Dealing with a Covenant not to Compete?
A Lakewood, Washington lawyer can help you review the covenant before you sign any documents that might limit your rights. The lawyer can assist 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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There are 185 Employment and Labor Law cases posted in Lakewood
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Life in Lakewood
Lakewood is a city in Pierce County, Washington. It is home to approximately 59,000 people. Popular media publications include The Suburban Times, The News Tribune, Lakewood Press and Lakewood Journal.Popular sites in Lakewood are Fort Steilacoom, Lakewold Gardens, Lakewood Towne Center, Lakewood Playhouse, and Thornewood.
The top employers include Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base.
Some Lakewood residents include attorneys who have either stopped practicing or currently practice. Residents turn to these attorneys for their legal needs. If these attorneys cannot handle the cases, then they refer residents to attorneys in nearby locations. Such a system ensures that the legal needs of Lakewood residents will be taken care of.
All in all, Lakewood is a charming place to visit and a must-see when in Washington!
