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Noncompete and Nonsolicitation Agreements
California is one of only a handful of states that ban noncompete agreements in the employment context. State law is similarly prohibitive of nonsolicitation agreements. In other words, if you want to compete with, solicit customers from, or hire employees from a former employer, you’re generally allowed to do so.
If a former employer has attempted to enforce an illegal noncompete or nonsolicitation pact or has interfered with your professional activities in other ways, they may have already caused you harm. If you do not respond strategically and forcefully to such past or ongoing interference, you could face further financial and non-economic harm.
ARCH Legal PC is a California employment law firm. We are passionate about protecting clients like you from professional harassment and interference, and our proven track record of securing substantial compensation illustrates our effectiveness. Call ARCH Legal PC at (866) 331-1338 or contact us by email to get help with any issue related to noncompetition, non-solicitation, or any other aspect of employment law.
California’s Ban on Noncompete and Nonsolicitation Agreements
To clarify matters, we should point out that:
- Noncompete agreements can prohibit a former employee from working for their former employer’s competitor, starting their own competing venture, or taking certain other actions for a specified period
- Nonsolicitation agreements generally prohibit former employees from coaxing away customers or employees from a former employer
You are generally free to do what you want (professionally speaking) after being terminated or willingly leaving a job in California. However, the prohibition on noncompete and nonsolicitation pacts does not deter all attempts by California employers to:
- Continue to engage in noncompete and nonsolicitation agreements, despite these being generally illegal and void in California (employees who do not know the law may treat these agreements as if they were legal)
- Attempt to enforce illegal noncompete and nonsolicitation clauses
- Take action, such as sending threatening letters meant to intimidate a former employee (or business partner) into ceasing certain business practices
- File a baseless lawsuit
- Claim publicly that you violated an agreement, which may cause reputational harm
Despite state law, former employers and business partners may take many measures that immediately cost you money, diminish your personal and organizational reputation, interfere with potential business relationships, and do other types of harm. ARCH Legal PC will demand justice for this and any other harm you’ve suffered.
If You Feel a Former Employer Has Restricted Your Ability to Operate Freely, They May Be Acting Illegally
California is near the forefront when it comes to allowing employees to operate professionally without interference from former employers. The majority of noncompete and nonsolicitation agreements are prohibited under state law.
Even if you voluntarily entered into a noncompete or nonsolicitation agreement, that agreement is most likely void or even illegal. Not only that, but the party who engaged you in such an agreement—in many cases, a former employer—may be liable for harm caused by the agreement itself and any related efforts to infringe upon your business practices.
California Senate Bill No. 699, which is now law, exposes employers to civil liability if they illegally engage in a noncompete or nonsolicitation agreement with a current or prospective employee. Importantly, this is true “regardless of whether the contract was signed and the employment was maintained outside of California.”
Contact ARCH Legal PC if you have been subject to any contractual language or efforts related to noncompetition or nonsolicitation. You may be entitled to compensation for any lost revenue, lost wages, reputational harm, or other damages caused by a former employer’s or business partner’s illegal efforts to interfere with your business.
ARCH Legal PC Will Pursue Justice for the Harm of Noncompete or Nonsolicitation Efforts
Many law firms are divided in their efforts. They spread their attorneys, resources, attention, and effort across disparate case types. At ARCH Legal PC, we believe that an unwavering focus on a specific field—in this case, employment law—makes for a passionate, effective legal team.
Allow our team to be your representatives because:
- ARCH Legal PC has obtained more than $300 million (and counting) for clients harmed by violations of California employment law, including illegal noncompete and nonsolicitation agreements
- We will assemble a legal team around you, with team members chosen specifically with your case in mind
- Our firm has taken on multinational, national, and statewide organizations in employment law cases, so we’re never afraid of a formidable opponent
- Our attorneys take cases to trial
Our team will examine any illegal agreements you’ve been targeted with, document lost revenues and other damages you’ve suffered, compose fair and precise settlement demands, and represent you at trial if necessary.
The law is clear, and we suspect the law favors your case. Allow ARCH Legal PC to enforce the letter of the law for you.
If You Need An Employment Law Attorney, Call ARCH Legal PC Today
Our law firm has an impeccable reputation in California’s courts and its legal community. We not only understand the state’s complex and oft-changing employment law, but more importantly, know how to apply that law to our clients’ direct benefit.
Call ARCH Legal PC today at (866) 331-1338 or send an email inquiry to schedule a consultation with an experienced employment law attorney. We look forward to hearing from you.
