Lawrence Non-Compete Agreement

In general, covenants not to compete involve an employee in the state of Massachusetts who agrees not to work for competitors of their employer when they leave the company. Such covenants are often called "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?

Knowing in advance whether a judge will enforce an employee's non-compete clause can be difficult. Even if the employee's interests may be significant Massachusetts 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. Covenants not to compete that a court will categorize as unreasonable include agreements that last for a long duration or that restrict the employee to an unreasonable geographic area around Lawrence.

Covenants not to compete are also required to deal only with competitors who are reasonably related to the employer's line of industry. Lastly, the covenant not to compete must have a valid business purpose which is behind the employer's motivation for requiring the agreement.

Do I Need an Attorney when Dealing with a Covenant not to Compete?

Before signing anything that may restrict your rights, you might want to hire a Lawrence, Massachusetts attorney to review the contract. A lawyer can then negotiate to modify the covenant as needed, or might even draft a new one that is acceptable to both parties When it comes to suing an employee for breach of a non-compete clause, an attorney can provide valuable advice. They will also be able to counsel employees who need advice for a covenant they have signed.

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Life in Lawrence

Lawrence, Massachusetts is a city located in Essex County. According to a 2007 Census estimate, Lawrence has a population of about 70,000 people. Along with Salem, Lawrence is the county seat of Essex County.

Lawrence, Massachusetts was first founded in 1640, as an English settlement. During the industrial revolution, which went on from the mid-1800s to the early 20th century, Lawrence grew rapidly.

Lawrence quickly became home to many large and productive textile mills. However, like many cities during the industrial revolution, Lawrence underwent significant growing pains. In 1912, a mill collapsed, and killed over 140 workers. This, along with many other factors, such as sub-standard working conditions and low pay, led to a strike by over 25,000 workers, now known as the Bread and Roses Strike, which has since become a rallying cry for many workers' rights organizations.

In the 1950s, Lawrence saw a decline in many of its traditional industries, which led to a period of economic hardship. However, its economy is currentlyseeing some improvement, witha sharp decrease in violent crime, and a spike in private investment, with many investors purchasing the many old mill and factory buildings.

If you live in or near Lawrence, Massachusetts, chances are very good that you'll be able to find a good lawyer. Lawrence, Massachusetts lawyers have to deal with a wide variety of cases, and as a result, tend to be well-rounded.

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When are Covenants not to Compete Unenforceable?