Q: I do not have a non compete. I was terminated. Can I be sued for telling my clients to come with me in a Google review?
I posted the truth of my firing and told my clients how to find me in a Google review under the business website. Is this actionable?
A: Depends on whether your actions could be viewed as stealing your former employer's clients, which could give rise to a suit for tortious interference with contractual business relationships or advantageous business relationships. The absence of a non-compete clause may be irrelevant in that scenario. You have the right to immediately start competing (that is, offering your services to the general public and advertising), but not to intentionally seek to destroy established relationships between your former employer and its clients. If a client with a relationship to your former employer seeks you out on their own, with no prodding from you, you'd still need to be careful to ensure the clarity of what triggered that client's decision.
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.
