Non-Compete Agreements

Avoid Legal Difficulties and Protect Business Interests

Experienced Non-Compete Agreement Lawyers in Madison, Wisconsin

It is important to protect your business and your client base from former employees who might use confidential business information to compete unfairly against you at another company. A properly drafted non-competition agreement can provide that protection, while maintaining the former employee’s right to work.

At the law firm of Palmersheim Dettmann, S.C., our attorneys advise businesses, employers and employees in the drafting and review of a non-compete agreement. In Wisconsin, the courts are reluctant to enforce non-compete agreements. The law regarding those agreements is constantly changing, and having a properly drafted non-competition agreement requires a competent business lawyer who keeps on top of recent case law and is aware of the legal requirements.

For more information regarding non-compete agreements and how to protect your company, contact a non-compete agreement lawyer in our Madison, Wisconsin office.

The Enforceability of a Non-Compete Agreement in Wisconsin

When written properly, a non-competition agreement can effectively preserve your client base and protect your business from a former employee who wants to join a competitor or provide confidential information to competitors. In order for the agreement to be enforceable, however, it typically needs to meet the following criteria:

• A non-compete agreement has to protect a legitimate business interest
• The agreement cannot deprive the former employee of his or her right to work and make a living
• The restrictions cannot place unreasonable geographic or customer limitations on employees
• The restrictions cannot remain in effect for an unreasonable period of time

There are other legal considerations that a non-compete agreement lawyer can advise you on when drafting or reviewing non-competition agreements. These agreements often include additional nondisclosure or confidentiality provisions that also may be subject to similar court scrutiny. You may also need to redraft non-compete agreements for current employees when changes to the law make the current agreements unenforceable. A recent Wisconsin Supreme Court decision has made a substantial difference in the enforceability of non-compete agreements. In past decisions, when a material part of the agreement was in violation of the statue and case law, then the complete agreement was held to be unenforceable. Now, it is possible to exclude the unenforceable section and still enforce the remainder of the agreement. Palmersheim Dettmann, S.C. attorneys can advise you on the necessary steps towards protecting your business with properly drafted agreements.

Contact Palmersheim Dettmann, S.C.

Contact us at our Madison, Wisconsin, office by calling (608) 836-6400. Speak with an experienced non-compete agreement lawyer about drafting or reviewing a non-competition agreement for your business.