Middletown Non-Compete Agreement

Find the right Non-Compete Agreement attorney in Middletown, CT

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Generally, a covenant not to compete is when a Connecticut 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?

Knowing in advance whether a judge will enforce an employee's non-compete clause can be difficult. Although the interests of employers are important, courts in Connecticut also give priority to an employee's freedom to choose the type of employment that they desire. As a result, courts usually uphold only those covenants that are consider to be reasonable according to the circumstances. Terms contained in a covenant not to compete will be struck down by a court as unreasonable if they bind the employee for an excessively long period of time or if they cover an unreasonably large geographic area around Middletown.

Covenants must also be limited to restricting dealings with those competitors that are rationally related to the employer's industry. Lastly, the employer needs to have an acceptable business interest 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 documents that could restrict your rights, you may consider hiring a Middletown, Connecticut 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 Middletown

Middletown, Connecticut is a city in Middlesex County. Its population is about 47,000 people, according to a 2005 estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The first foreign settlement of the area now known as Middletown came in 1650, by emigrants from a settlement nearby, which had been established a few years earlier. These settlers were Puritans, and during their period of influence, life was harsh. Some of this harshness was self-inflicted, in the form of extremely draconian laws, which allowed the death penalty for "crimes" such as cursing, blasphemy, and "incorrigible stubbornness of children."

During the Industrial Revolution, Middletown saw a major influx of immigrants from various parts of Europe, including Ireland, Italy, Germany, and Poland. This diversity is evidenced even today, with Middletown's various neighborhoods and ethnic restaurants (for which the city is becoming increasingly well-known), and the general cultural diversity of the city. Modernly, Middletown is a residential community, with the Middlesex Hospital being one of the largest employers.

If you live in Middletown, Connecticut, and need an attorney, you're in luck. There are many Middletown, Connecticut lawyers who can handle virtually any type of legal problem a person might have.

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