Legal Question in Employment Law in California

Non-Competition Agreement

I live in California and work as a trainer with clients both here and in other states. The company I'm currently with is being bought by a company based in another state. As a condition of continued employment, I'm being told that I am required to sign a non-compete agreement. According to the agreement, I would not be able to take my services elsewhere - to either my current clients or potential prospects - if I left for a period of one year. Is this legal in California? If not, should I sign anyway, knowing that it would not hold up?


Asked on 6/24/00, 12:17 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Paul Crost Reich, Adell, Crost & Cvitan

Re: Non-Competition Agreement

Agreements not to compete are generally illegal and unenforceable in California. If you want the job, you should probably sign the agreement, since a refusal to do so may cause the prospective employer to reconsider whether you should be hired. If the agreement is ever the subject of an enforcement action in California, you should be able to defeat it and possibly recover damages against your employer.

Read more
Answered on 9/01/00, 5:32 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Labor and Employment Law questions and answers in California