The scenario we see: An employee resigns, lands a new role, and—right on cue—the former employer calls the new company or key clients, waving a non‑solicit or a boilerplate non‑compete that’s far broader than Illinois law allows. If that pressure campaign derails a known offer or triggers a firing, our…
Some employers weaponize non‑competes—sending threat letters to your new employer or recruiter until your offer evaporates. When that happens, our firm doesn’t just play defense. We file a declaratory‑judgment action to invalidate the restraint and bring tortious‑interference claims for money, stress and punitive damages against the former employer for intentionally…
It is well settled that “Illinois courts abhor restraints on trade” and therefore “postemployment restrictive covenants are carefully scrutinized . . . because they operate as partial restrictions on trade.” McInnis v. OAG Motorcycle Ventures, Inc., 2015 IL App (1st) 142644 at ¶26; see also Medix Staffing Sols., Inc. v.…
In a dynamic world where the nature of work is evolving rapidly, the Illinois Freedom to Work Act stands as a beacon of hope for both employees and employers alike. This legislation, enacted in 2017, brought about significant changes in Illinois’ labor laws, fostering a more flexible and worker-friendly environment.…
Non-compete agreements, often called restrictive covenants, are common legal tools used by employers to protect their business interests. In the state of Illinois, these agreements are subject to specific rules and regulations that both employers and employees should understand. This blog post will provide an overview of non-compete agreements in…
Non-compete agreements are a common tool used by employers to protect their business interests. However, these agreements must strike a balance between safeguarding legitimate business concerns and respecting an employee’s right to pursue their career. Over the years, Illinois courts have issued several crucial decisions that provide guidance on the…
As an employee, you may have come across the term “non-compete agreement” during your job search or employment. Non-compete agreements, also known as restrictive covenants, are contractual clauses that restrict an employee’s ability to work for a competing business for a certain period after leaving their current job. In Illinois,…
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently proposed a new rule that could significantly impact the enforceability of non-compete clauses in employment agreements. This development could have far-reaching consequences for both employers and employees in Illinois and across the nation. In this blog post, we will provide an overview of the…
After passing one of the strictest non-compete laws in the nation, the District of Columbia Council has responded to criticisms about the bill by passing the Non-Compete Clarification Amendment Act of 2022 which significantly scales back key aspects of the non-compete ban law enacted back in 2021 but which has…
We have previously written about President Biden’s Executive Order in which he encouraged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to crack down on the “unfair use of non-compete clauses and other clauses or agreements that may unfairly limit worker mobility.” Since the issuance of that Executive Order the FTC has ramped…