About Employment Contracts

Employment contracts are designed to be mutually beneficial, creating a relationship each party invests in. Expectations, incentives, rewards, and other elements bind the parties together. However, since any relationship could turn sour, prudent parties have to consider their rights and obligations in the event of a split. For this reason, many companies insist on including a non-compete clause in employment contracts for select employees at certain levels. Still, non-compete agreements can sometimes raise more controversies than they solve. At DeLong, Caldwell, Bridgers, Fitzpatrick, & Benjamin, LLC in Atlanta, our employment attorneys negotiate non-compete agreements for businesses and employees. Our goal is always to protect our client’s rights so separation can occur smoothly without extreme disruption to either side.

I first utilized Mr. Mitchell Benjamins’ legal advice in 2016 to help negotiate the terms of my non-compete for my new job offer/contract. He was extremely helpful, he not only educated me and empowered me to negotiate a more amenable non-compete, but he also pointed out some other areas of my contract that could be negotiated for an overall better contract. Additionally, when I was later laid off, I was presented with a less than favorable severance package. He was able to secure me a significantly higher severance package. Because of these results, I have utilized his services three other times.

H.H.

Dedicated Lawyers Advise on Making a Non-compete Legally Binding

Businesses who tailor non-competes to cover legitimate business interests must still make sure their terms are reasonable in terms of:

• Scope – The work tasks that would constitute competition with the former employer must be specific and related to the company’s legitimate interests.
• Duration – Non-competes lasting more than two years are generally considered unreasonable.
• Applicable Geographic Area – Global restrictions are generally unreasonable. The more limited the area, the more likely a court would find the restriction reasonable.

Overly broad non-competes that prevent a person from earning a living may not hold up in court. Our firm provides a full range of contract services for businesses, including drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and litigating non-compete clauses.

Reliable Attorneys Provide Guidance for Employees Before Signing a Non-compete

For many employees, the offer of a position can be exciting. You might be tempted to accept whatever the company offers. But leaping to sign an employment contract could lead to regret, especially if you are saddled with overly restrictive covenants. Georgia’s Restrictive Covenants Act allows for certain post-employment restrictions for employees who:

• Solicit customers or prospective customers “customarily and regularly”
• Engage in sales of products or services
• Are executive employees
• Are key employees or professionals

Before signing any employment contract, you should seek reliable advice from a knowledgeable employment lawyer. Our attorneys perform thorough contract reviews so you are fully informed about the terms of the agreement and precisely what they could mean for your future.

Litigating Non-compete Agreements in Georgia

Our law firm manages a wide range of employment contract disputes for companies and employees. We are ready to assert your rights if a controversy arises with your non-compete.