Beaufort Non-Compete Agreement

Find the right Non-Compete Agreement attorney in Beaufort, SC

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In South Carolina, 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". An employee who signs a covenant not to compete may receive compensation for the agreement, or in some cases the agreement is a condition for their being hired.

When are Covenants not to Compete Unenforceable?

Foreseeing whether or not a judge will uphold a covenant not to compete is typically difficult. While the employer?s interests are important, South Carolina 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. 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 Beaufort.

Limitations on non-compete clauses must also be restricted to cover only competitors who are related in a rational way to the employer's industry. 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?

Since covenants could restrict your rights, you may wish to hire a Beaufort, South Carolina lawyer to review any agreements. They will be able to negotiate further changes to the covenant, and can draft an entirely new one that is acceptable to all parties if needed. 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 Beaufort

The city of Beaufort is the county seat of Beaufort County in South Carolina. Beaufort is situated on Port Royal Islands, in the Sea Islands and Lowcountry areas. Sometimes the city is confused with a city of the same name in North Carolina- the two have the same spelling but are pronounced differently.

Beaufort is known for its scenery and historic feel. Many of the buildings located there are done in antebellum style architecture. It is the second oldest city in the state and boasts a population of about 13,000. The downtown historic district is where much of the original Beaufort settlement can still be found. Other neighborhoods include the Pigeon Point, West End, Spanish Point, and Battery Creek areas.

Tourism has become the main focal point of the Beaufort economy. The city's hotel and bed breakfast scene thrives due to visitors seeking beach vacations, golfing areas, and watersport opportunities.

Lawyers in Beaufort usually visit the Beaufort Municipal Court when filing claims. Many Beaufort, South Carolina lawyers are members of the Beaufort County Bar Association as well as the South Carolina Bar Association. Beaufort lawyers specialize in a variety of legal fields and practices.

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