Q: Is a broad, general non-compete agreement legal in NC in case where current employer is being bought out by another co?
Time frame is 2 years
Territory is 23 states
Employment referred to as "at-will"
Employee position is non-managerial
Nothing is being offered to sign
A: Many facts will be relevant and you will want to discuss this with an attorney. Ultimately your defenses to this non-compete will be determined by a Judge and their opinion on whether the time and territory is overly broad or if another defense exists. It does sound like the time and territory would be overly broad in North Carolina for the position described. The fact that nothing is being offered to sign would be a complete and total defense to the document. Be careful as a payment as small as $100 or a change in duties or title.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.