Eugene Non-Compete Agreement

Find the right Non-Compete Agreement attorney in Eugene, OR

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In Oregon, a covenant not to compete typically requires that, upon leaving the company, an employee agrees not to be employed by their employer's competitors. A covenant not to compete may also be called a "non-compete clause". 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 know whether a judge will enforce a given non-compete agreement. While employer's interest are significant, the courts of Oregon also put a high level of importance on a person's ability to pursue their desired employment opportunities. Consequently, a court will generally only uphold non-compete clauses which under the circumstances are considered to be reasonable. A court will normally hold non-compete clauses to be unreasonable if they involve unusually long periods of time or if they cover a geographic region surrounding Eugene that is excessively large.

Non-compete clauses are also limited in that they can only apply to competitors who are reasonably related to the industry of the employer. Lastly, there must be a legitimate business interest which motivates the employer's mandating a covenant not to compete.

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

You may want to hire an Eugene, Oregon lawyer to review the covenant before signing any agreements that may limit or restrict your rights. The lawyer will then be able to negotiate any modifications to the contract as needed, or they can even draft a new one should it be required by one or both parties. 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 Eugene

Eugene, Oregon is the second-largest city in the state of Oregon. It is also the seat of Lane County, in the south end of the Willamette Valley. Its population is about 157,000 people.

Eugene, Oregon is named after its founder, Eugene Franklin Skinner, who started the first recorded permanent settlement in the area. The first major educational institution in the area was Columbia College, which was founded a few years before the University of Oregon (still Oregon's flagship public university).

Modernly, Eugene is known as a progressive, and somewhat quirky, community with a streak of political radicalism thrown in for good measure. A small but highly-visible community of anarchists established itself in Eugene in the 1990s, and is still present there today. While they are not generally criminally-inclined, some of their protests have led to arrests. Many activist attorneys in Eugene, Oregon have taken it upon themselves to represent clients with radical political views, sometimes on a pro bono or reduced fee basis.

Of course, most Eugene, Oregon lawyers have more "standard" careers, and represent average citizens and small businesses, helping them with the legal issues that they're most likely to face. If you live in or around Eugene, Oregon, and have a legal issue that needs immediate attention, you should not hesitate to contact an Eugene, Oregon attorney as soon as possible.

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