Kirkland Non-Compete Agreement

Find the right Non-Compete Agreement attorney in Kirkland, WA

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A covenant not to compete usually implies that a Washington employee makes an agreement not to work for any of their employer's competitors should they leave the company for any reason. These covenants are typically called "non-compete clauses". 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 discern whether a judge will enforce a given non-compete agreement. Even if the employee's interests may be important Washington 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. A court will typically hold non-compete clauses to be unreasonable if they involve unusually long periods of time or if they cover a geographic region surrounding Kirkland that is excessively large.

Covenants must also be limited to restricting dealings with those competitors that are rationally related to the employer's industry. 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?

Since covenants could restrict your rights, you may wish to hire a Kirkland, Washington lawyer to review any provisions. 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. A lawyer can also render useful advice for employers who are considering suing an employee for breach of covenant, or they can counsel employees who have signed such an agreement.

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Life in Kirkland

Kirkland, Washington is a suburb of Seattle, and is located in King County. It has a population of approximately 47,000 people. However, in June of 2011, Kirkland will annex some surrounding unincorporated territory, adding approximately 33,000 residents.

Kirkland was first settled by Peter Kirk in 1886. Kirk saw that the area would be a good location for many industries, including steel production and shipping. Because Kirkland is situated near Lake Washington, which, thanks to the Lake Washington Ship Canal, is directly connected to the Pacific Ocean, it is extremely valuable as an inland harbor.

Kirkland is currently home to several entertainment companies, as well as several software companies, particularly those that specialize in the development of video games. This is a rapidly-growing section of the entertainment industry, and large game companies attract many talented, highly-trained professionals, including programmers, visual artists, and voice actors. As a result, Kirkland is in pretty good economic shape, with just over 5% of the population living below the poverty line, and a median family income of over ,000.

If you live in Kirkland, Washington or the surrounding areas, and need legal services, you're in luck. There are many Kirkland, Washington lawyers who are able to help you with whatever legal issue you may be facing.

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