Articles Posted in Non-Compete Agreements

Under Florida law, a restrictive covenant is not enforceable “unless it is set forth in a writing signed by the person against whom enforcement is sought.” Fla. Stat. § 542.335(1)(a). By this general rule, injunctions to enforce non-compete provisions are primarily entered against the parties to the contract. However, Florida law allows a court to…

A non-competition provision in an employment contract prohibits an employee from competing with his/her employer for a specified term after termination of the agreement. However, if that employee stays on with the employer on an at-will basis after the term of the written agreement expires, then the agreement does not automatically renew for another term.…

The use of non-compete covenants by employers to protect business interests is not an uncommon practice. The validity of these covenants is governed by Florida Statute 542.335, which requires: “the employer to plead and prove (1) the existence of one or more legitimate business interests justifying the restrictive covenant and (2) that the contractually specified…

Many employment agreements contain covenants not to compete to protect employers from employees competing against them when the employment ends. If the employer seeks to enforce this covenant, it must prove, among other things, that it will suffer irreparable harm if the covenant is not enforced. This irreparable harm is presumed if the employee violates…

Contracts with covenants not to compete will typically address the anticipated damages that could occur from an employee’s breach of the agreement. When a contract contains a damages provision that is designed for the sole purpose of penalizing the employee from breaking his or her promise, it may be unenforceable. Peter Mavrick is a Palm…

If an employer can successfully meet their burden and establish the necessary elements for a valid non-compete agreement, the court will likely grant an injunction to protect the employer’s legitimate business interests. The injunction will only be granted if it is determined that the former employee breached the valid non-compete agreement. Once this is determined,…

Non-compete agreements serve to protect an employer’s business interests and prevent employees from engaging in unfair competition. When a business sells its assets, merges with another company, or dissolves entirely, the ability to assign a non-compete agreement is affected differently. Peter Mavrick is a Fort Lauderdale non-compete lawyer who has extensive experience dealing with non-compete…

Restrictive covenants have become increasingly prevalent as a prophylactic measure to ensure adequate protection of an employer’s legitimate business interests. These restrictive covenants are generally found in the employee’s employment agreement. Historically, two Florida Statutes (F.S.) have governed the enforcement of restrictive covenants: (1) F.S. 542.33 and (2) F.S. 542.335. Although F.S. 542.18 provides that…

Peter Mavrick is a Fort Lauderdale non-compete attorney who regularly represent entrepreneurs who formerly were employed in a certain industry and are now seeking to start their own business in the same industry. Our law firm is often confronted with non-compete covenants, otherwise known as restrictive covenants, signed by the entrepreneur when he or she…

Non-compete agreements, also commonly referred to as “restrictive covenants,” have been subject to countless legal disputes arising between employers and their employees. The primary purpose of a restrictive covenant is to protect an employers’ alleged business interests and restrain employees from engaging unfair competition which can be highly detrimental to the employer’s own business. Peter…