Walnut Creek Non-Compete Agreement

Find the right Non-Compete Agreement attorney in Walnut Creek, 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. Terms contained in a covenant not to compete will be struck down by a court as unreasonable if they bind the employee for an unusually long period of time or if they cover an unreasonably large geographic area around Walnut Creek.

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?

Before you sign any agreements that could restrict your rights, you may consider hiring a Walnut Creek, 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. A lawyer can also render useful advice for employers who are contemplating suing an employee for breach of covenant, or they can counsel employees who have signed such an agreement.

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Life in Walnut Creek

Walnut Creek is located in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. It is near Concord, Sacramento, and San Jose. Many view Walnut Creek at the "business and entertainment hub" of Contra Costa County because of its central location to California's capital and Silicon Valley.

Many Walnut Creek residents are employed by Aetna, HCR Manor Care, Nordstrom, John Muir-Health, Kaiser Permanente, Safeway, Macys, and the City of Walnut Creek. Top corporations in Walnut Creek include Carollo Engineers, American Reprographics, and PMI Group.

with such a working force, legal issues naturally arise. Walnut Creek is home to many small and mid-size firms with excellent attorneys who practice in all areas of law.

Popular attractions include the California Symphony and the Center Repertory Company. Walnut Creek also has a beautiful downtown with great shopping and dining.

Some famous residents include Alice Greczyn, Lester Rodney, Jeff Richards, Jason Newsted, Randy Johnson, and Luke Whitehead.

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