Non-Compete Agreements Attorney in Akron, Ohio

There are several reasons why a person or business will want to speak to a non-compete lawyer in Akron, Ohio. If you are an employee and are considering leaving your current employer for a higher-paying job, you may wonder whether your contract's non-compete clauses are binding. If you are an employer who is losing clients and customers to a former employee, you may wonder whether you are legally able to enforce your contract's non-compete clause. Finally, if you have been offered a job and see a non-compete clause in your contract, you may want to have your contract reviewed by The Law Offices of F. Benjamin Riek III, a non-compete lawyer in Akron, Ohio.

A non-compete agreement should always be taken seriously. If you violate a non-compete agreement as a worker, you could face prosecution in court. If you are being asked to sign a non-compete agreement, you should consider your options. A non-compete agreement can limit your ability to negotiate a higher salary or leave your company for a higher-paying job in the future. Finally, if you are an employer, a non-compete agreement can protect your legitimate business interests. However, the non-compete agreement must be written in a specific and clear manner. The Law Offices of F. Benjamin Riek III is a non-compete agreement attorney in Akron, Ohio who works with a variety of interests to enforce non-compete agreements and to protect workers who feel that their rights may have been violated by a non-compete agreement.

I'm Looking for Another Job-Can My Employer Enforce My Non-Compete Agreement?

If you've already signed a non-compete agreement, and are currently considering changing jobs, you may have many questions and concerns. Ohio non-compete agreements are enforceable under the law, but only if they meet certain standards of reasonableness and fairness. Every case is unique, so if you are considering changing jobs, or if you are facing enforcement from a former employer due to your alleged violation of a non-compete clause, you may want to speak to the Law Offices of F. Benjamin Riek III, a non-compete agreement attorney in Akron, Ohio.

When are non-compete agreements enforceable? The non-compete agreement should be specific in terms of its measures to protect your former employer's business interests, it must not impose an undue hardship on employees, and must not be harmful to the public. Because these requirements are so broad, it can be difficult to know if your non-compete agreement is enforceable or if it just being used by your former employer as a deterrent. Whatever the case, if you have signed a non-compete agreement and are considering changing jobs, it is probably in your best interest to speak to a non-compete agreement attorney in Akron, Ohio. The Law Offices of F. Benjamin Riek III can review the specific terms of your agreement.

For instance, a non-compete agreement cannot prohibit you from working in a field indefinitely. Many non-compete agreements are short in duration-from six months to two years. The agreement must be for a specific term. It should also be specific about the locations where the contract applies. Your non-compete agreement lawyer in Akron, Ohio will also review your case to see whether you had access to your company's trade secrets. Finally, if your non-compete agreement prevents you from working in a whole field, your employer will have to show that the agreement doesn't cause undue hardship.

If you are facing the enforcement of a non-compete contract, you need the non-compete lawyers at the Law Offices of F. Benjamin Riek III in Akron, Ohio working on your side. We may be able to fight your contract and show that it was not reasonable, or work to establish more reasonable terms. However, failing to protect yourself can result in a lawsuit being brought against you and you could face damages. Your new employer could also face a lawsuit if they hire you while you are obligated to honor a non-compete agreement. When your livelihood and future is on the line, you need the Law Offices of F. Benjamin Riek III.

Protecting Your Business with a Non-Compete Agreement in Akron, Ohio

Businesses in Akron, Ohio have the right to protect their legitimate interests through the use of a non-compete agreement. However, in order for these contracts to be enforceable, they must be written with a reasonable scope. This means you'll need to consider the length of time the non-compete will be enforceable (usually between 6 months and 2 years), the geographical scope (rarely are nationwide non-competes enforceable), and specify the legitimate business interests you wish to protect.

What are some legitimate business interests that can be protected by a non-compete agreement? Your company's customer list, proprietary training, and other trade secrets may be protected. If you are a business and have legitimate business interests you want to protect, consider putting into place a non-compete agreement. The non-compete lawyers at the Law Offices of F. Benjamin Riek III in Akron, Ohio can review your contracts so that they are more likely to be enforced should you ever need to take an employee to court.

I'm Being Asked to Sign a Non-Compete Agreement-What Should I Do?

You've been offered a job and are thrilled about the company. But then, when you review your employment contract, you see a non-compete agreement. Before you sign away your rights, you may want to speak to a non-compete lawyer in Akron, Ohio, like the Law Offices of F. Benjamin Riek III. Our firm can review the contract to help you better understand what your limitations will be should you sign. In some cases, you may only be barred from engaging in certain business practices. However, in some instances, a non-compete agreement may bar you from working in your field for a period of time.

Workers should be aware that non-compete agreements can be negotiated. For instance, if you are being asked to avoid work in your field for a period of time, you have the right to ask for a severance payment. It may be wiser to walk away from an employer with an unreasonable non-compete contract than to lose the ability to work elsewhere or negotiate for higher payments later. Before putting your future employment at risk, speak to the non-compete agreement attorneys at the Law Offices of F. Benjamin Riek III in Akron, Ohio today.

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