Non Compete Lawyers in Massachusetts
Non Compete Attorneys You Can TrustYou've landed your dream job, but as you look through the stack of onboarding paperwork, you notice a non-compete agreement. That agreement could either keep you shackled to the job forever or out of work for many months while you wait out the non-compete.
Or perhaps you are looking to change jobs or start your own business, and as you dig through your paperwork, you remember that you signed a non-compete agreement years ago. The wrong move could cost you time out of your career. It could also saddle you with court costs and attorney's fees if you get into a legal battle with your former employer. At slnlaw, we have helped hundreds of people navigate their non-compete agreements under Massachusetts law. Our founding attorney, Emily Smith-Lee, has provided commentary on Massachusetts non-compete agreements to the New York Times, as well as to Super Lawyers Magazine. We bring this expertise and experience to every matter. We can advise about whether to sign a non-compete. We can negotiate with your employer to modify or clarify your agreement. Finally, if a fight can't be avoided, we can defend you in court against a lawsuit by your former employer. Read some examples of people we have helped with their non-compete agreements. Non Compete ServicesWhether you need a lawyer to review your non-compete, help responding to a cease and desist letter, or advice about what you can do after leaving your job, we can help. Our non-compete lawyers can help you at any stage of a dispute. The most common and critical moments for you to seek legal advice are described in the sections below.
Consideration of a New Non-CompeteWhen you are offered a new job and asked to sign a restrictive covenant, you now have the right to ten business days to review it and to consult with an attorney. We will review whether the agreement includes garden leave and other provisions required under the new Massachusetts non-compete law. Many employers are using free or cost templates from the internet that do not contain all of the required elements.
We will also review the specifics about your industry and your job to analyze whether the agreement protects a legitimate business interest of your new employer. Finally, there are provisions that are common in non-compete agreements that are not subject to the new law and that you should understand. These include non-solicitation clauses and nondisclosure agreements. Planning for a New Job Working for a Competitor or Starting a New BusinessThe time to assess your Whether your agreement is governed by the new Massachusetts non-compete law or the previous legal frameork, greement is before you make this important decision. Before you embark on a significant career change, it's essential to thoroughly understand the implications of your existing agreement.
Leaving your job without a clear understanding of your non-compete can have serious repercussions. It might not only jeopardize your ability to pursue your desired career path but also lead to legal disputes and hefty court costs. Whether your agreement is governed by the new Massachusetts non-compete law or the previous legal framework, we can help you with a careful review and help you make informed decisions that protect your career and minimize the risk ofl egal entanglements. Responding to a Cease and Desist LetterAfter you take a new job or start a new business, you may receive a cease and desist letter from your former employer. Typically, these letters accuse you of violating your non-compete and demand that you stop immediately. The letter may also go to your new employer threatening a lawsuit for interference with your non-compete. There is no need to panic. We can help you assess your defenses and any potential counterclaims and respond to the cease and desist demand letter.
Defending a LawsuitYou may receive notice that your former employer has actually filed a lawsuit in the Massachusetts Superior Court or other court seeking to enforce your non-compete. We know all of the defenses to non-compete lawsuits and what questions to ask to make sure we can put your very best foot forward. Our non-compete attorneys and staff will be right by your side through the whole process.
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Questions About a Non Compete Agreement?
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Meet Our Employment and Non Compete Lawyers
Emily Smith-Lee is the owner and founder of slnlaw. She is a 1996 graduate of Boston College Law School. She was previously a partner at the Boston office of a large international firm, where she worked for thirteen years before starting the firm that became slnlaw in 2009. She has been recognized as Massachusetts Superlawyer each year since 2013, and in 2018 earned recognition as one of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly's Lawyers of the Year. She has written a book on employment law: Rules of the Road, What You Need to Know About Employment Laws in Massachusetts, been interviewed by the Massachusetts Superlawyers magazine about non compete agreements, and written an op-ed in the New York Times about the dangers of non competes. Along with the rest of the slnlaw team, she has helped hundreds of clients navigate, negotiate, or defend against their non compete agreements.
Rebecca Rogers: Rebecca is a 2006 graduate of Boston College Law School, and has worked with slnlaw since 2013. She previously worked as an intellectual property litigation attorney for Fish & Richardson in Boston, Massachusetts, and clerked for the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. Rebecca has helped many clients understand and evaluate their non compete agreements and develop strategies for defending against non compete enforcement and negotiating resolution.
Jenna Ordway: Jenna is a 2013 graduate of Quinnipiac Law School, and also earned an LLM in Taxation from Boston University in 2015. She has been affiliated with slnlaw since 2011, first as a law clerk and then as an attorney. Jenna has been recognized since 2019 as a "Rising Star" by Massachusetts Superlawyers. Jenna works with employers to develop reasonable and enforceable employee agreements, including non competes. She has also helped employees understand and evaluate their non compete agreements and develop strategies for defending against non compete enforcement and negotiating resolution.
Elijah Bresley: Eli is a 2014 graduate of Seton Hall Law school, and has worked with slnlaw since 2020. He previously worked for a boutique employment law firm outside of Boston, and then for the Labor and Employment department of a large Boston firm. He also spent a year clerking for the judges of the Superior Court in Hartford, Connecticut. Eli has helped clients both evaluate and negotiate their non compete agreements, and defended non compete claims in state and federal courts.
How We Can Help
We have years of experience representing people in non compete lawsuits in Massachusetts state and federal courts, as well as responding to cease and desist letters, and we would be happy to help. You can use the button below to schedule a call back from a member of our team, or give us a call at 781-784-2322.
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Jenna Ordway
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