Downey Non-Compete Agreement

Generally, 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 may receive compensation for the agreement.

When are Covenants not to Compete Unenforceable?

It is difficult to foresee whether a judge will enforce a given non-compete agreement. While the employer?s interests are important, California 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. Covenants not to compete that a court will categorize as unreasonable include provisions that last for a long duration or that restrict the employee to an unreasonable geographic area around Downey.

The agreements must also deal only with those competitors whose line of employment is rationally related to the previous employer's. 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?

Before you sign any documents that could restrict your rights, you may consider hiring a Downey, California attorney who can review the covenant. The attorney can negotiate modifications to the contract if they are needed, and can draft a new clause which is acceptable to the parties involved. Attorneys can provide valuable counseling to employers who are considering suing an employer who breached a covenant not to compete. They can also assist employees who have signed an agreement limiting their employment options.

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Life in Downey

Downey, California is a city in Los Angeles County, California. Its current population of about 112,000 people.

Downey, California is best known as being the birthplace of the Apollo Program - the U.S. space program that ultimately landed men on the moon. Several aerospace corporations had facilities in Downey, California, such as Rockwell and Boeing. Some of these companies built the Apollo spacecraft and, later, many components of the Space Shuttle. These companies also employed many white-collar professionals, from engineers to Downey, California lawyers.

Nowadays, the economy of Downey, California is dominated by sectors such as healthcare, education, services, and government.

Thanks to its diverse and solid economy, the lawyers who live and work in Downey, California are able to handle a wide range of legal issues. If you need legal advice, a Downey, California attorney can help.

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When are Covenants not to Compete Unenforceable?