Employment Agreement With a Noncompete Clause

[SillyBee]

I received a letter from my old employer the other day reminding me of a non-compete agreement I signed. I don't actually remember signing one when I worked there. I asked them to send me a copy of it a week ago and they haven't sent it yet.

I am not calling on the old customers that I had during my employment there. I am just wondering if I am able to call on clients who were not mine even though they may be doing business there.

Could somebody please let me know their thoughts on non-competes?

[Anonymous]

Noncompete language is subject to state law, and state "public policy". Some noncompete clauses interfere unduly with the employee's ability to engage in gainful employment, and courts usually will strike part or all of the language of such clauses so as to render them reasonable. California courts have traditionally refused to enforce non-competition agreements, but other states are more accepting of them.

Unfortunately, beyond that it is really not possible for anybody to advise you in relation to a non-compete agreement without having seen it.

Only after reviewing it could somebody tell you what limits it imposes, and try to form an opinion as to whether or not a court would uphold those restrictions.