Practice Areas

Employment Agreements and Non Compete Provisions

Cincinnati Employment Law Attorneys

Employment agreements need to be carefully analyzed by an experienced employment law attorney to determine their scope, enforceability, and reasonableness. Often, they include non-compete provisions. We work to prevent employers from including non-compete clauses and other provisions in an employee’s contract that restrict the employee from seeking viable opportunities elsewhere. We want to protect your bargaining power and avoid no or low raises or salary deflation. At Beckman Weil Shepardson LLC, we analyze employment and non-compete agreements within the context of legal precedent and the terms and conditions stated in the contract. When a non-competition clause or agreement overreaches the legitimate interests of a company, we will help you challenge the language and restrictions included in the contract. There may also be provisions such as Golden Parachute clauses and other guarantees.

Before you sign an employment agreement or a non-compete agreement, contact the Ohio employee rights lawyers at Beckman Weil Shepardson LLC. We will determine what is in your best interest and help you protect your competitiveness as a worker. Located in Cincinnati, we represent clients in Ohio and Kentucky, including Hyde Park, West Chester, Mason, Mt. Lookout, Florence, Covington, and Newport.

Common Mistakes: When Non-Compete Restrictions Go Too Far

When non-compete agreements have the effect of preventing someone from finding gainful employment due to overreaching requirements, they are often unenforceable. Our employment law attorneys carefully consider the following in order to determine the enforceability of an agreement:

Duration: Is the employee prohibited from working for a competitor or in an industry for an unreasonably long time?

Geography: Do the geographical limitations imposed on a worker’s employment or job search create an undue burden?

Scope: What is the scope or range of jobs and kinds of industries included in the non-compete clause or agreement? 

Challenging Non-Competes

Non-competes are supposed to prevent companies from poaching skilled labor and those with specialized knowledge from their competitors. When non-competition restrictions are used to prevent someone from finding a job or taking advantage of an opportunity, they go beyond the acceptable scope. Looking at the geographical burden imposed by a non-compete, the industries involved, as well as the skills and knowledge involved, our office can determine what, if any, competitive interests are at stake.

Questions? Contact Beckman Weil Shepardson LLC

If you are unsure whether you should sign a non-compete agreement, or already have signed one that you now need reviewed, contact the Cincinnati, Ohio, restrictive covenants lawyers at Beckman Weil Shepardson LLC today. We will protect your rights and ensure you have the knowledge you need to understand what your employer can and cannot reasonably demand of you.

Our Cincinnati based office represents clients throughout the Ohio and Northern Kentucky communities of Blue Ash, Hyde Park, Anderson, Fairfield, Hamilton, Mt. Lookout, Loveland, Lebanon, Middletown, Western Hills, Westwood, West Chester, Norwood, Mason, Florence, Covington, and Newport.