Business and Corporate Litigation Attorneys
Noncompete Agreements

When a company hires a new employee in an industry that may involve trade secrets or other confidential business information, it is common for the business to require the new employee to sign an agreement that limits their ability to practice in a similar business enterprise for a period of time and within a specified geographical area.

Noncompete agreements provide business owners with a certain degree of assurance that the specialized knowledge they provide to new employees will not soon thereafter be used against them in a similar competitive business enterprise in a similar geographic region.

Courts in many states will uphold the validity of a noncompete agreement provided that it is reasonable in its limitation of time and geography. What is "reasonable" depends on the court and the unique circumstances of a particular case.

In some states, however, the validity of a noncompete agreement may rest on timing. For instance, if the agreement was provided to employees after they accepted employment and with no further consideration, then the noncompete might be deemed invalid. If, however, the agreement was required as a condition of employment, some courts may deem such consideration sufficient.

Our attorneys represent employers and employees in noncompete agreement litigation. We are pleased to assist clients throughout the Chicagoland area, DuPage County and other areas throughout Illinois. We also assist clients in Indiana and Wisconsin.

To contact a business and commercial litigation attorney at our firm, contact our law office in Oakbrook Terrace or Chicago, Illinois. To contact a lawyer at our firm, call (877) 990-4990 or (630) 333-0000. You may also contact us by e-mail.