Free Attorney Non-Compete Agreement Template
Attorney Non-Compete Agreement
This Non-Compete Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into as of [Date], by and between [Your Company Name], a [State] corporation, with its principal office located at [Your Company Address] ("Company"), and [Attorney's Name], an individual, with an address at [Attorney's Address] ("Attorney").
1. Purpose of Agreement
The purpose of this Agreement is to prevent the Attorney from engaging in activities that may compete with the business of the Company during and after the Attorney’s engagement with the Company, in order to protect the Company’s confidential information, proprietary data, trade secrets, client relationships, and goodwill. The Attorney agrees that it is in the best interest of the Company to establish clear terms that limit the Attorney’s ability to engage in competing activities, given the sensitive nature of the work and the relationship between the Attorney and the Company.
2. Non-Compete Covenant
2.1 Non-Compete Period: The Attorney agrees that during the term of their engagement with the Company, and for a period of [2] years following the termination of their engagement, whether voluntary or involuntary, the Attorney will not directly or indirectly engage in any business or profession that competes with the Company’s business. This includes but is not limited to working for or representing any entity that provides services or products that directly or indirectly compete with the Company’s offerings.
2.2 Geographic Scope: The Attorney agrees that the restrictions set forth in this Agreement shall apply within a [100]-mile radius of the Company’s principal office, and in any area where the Company operates or has plans to operate at the time of the Attorney’s departure. The Attorney further acknowledges that the scope of this geographic restriction is reasonable and necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests.
2.3 Prohibited Activities: The Attorney agrees not to:
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Provide legal services or engage in legal work on behalf of any competitor of the Company, whether as an employee, contractor, or consultant;
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Accept or engage in any business relationship that directly competes with the Company in areas of business including but not limited to business areas such as mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property law, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, or any other areas where the Company operates;
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Solicit or accept employment or consulting agreements with any competitor of the Company, either directly or indirectly, in any capacity that would reasonably be considered as competing with the Company.
2.4 Conflicting Activities: The Attorney agrees not to become affiliated with or provide legal advice to any business that is engaged in activities that are in direct competition with the Company's primary business operations or services. The Attorney shall not participate in or provide any legal guidance that may undermine the Company's position or interests.
3. Confidentiality
3.1 Confidential Information: During the course of their engagement with the Company, the Attorney may be exposed to confidential or proprietary information, including but not limited to business plans, marketing strategies, client information, legal strategies, and financial data (the "Confidential Information"). The Attorney agrees to keep all such Confidential Information strictly confidential and not to disclose or use it for any purpose other than for the benefit of the Company, both during and after the term of their engagement. This duty of confidentiality shall remain in effect indefinitely, even after the termination of this Agreement.
3.2 Return of Materials: Upon termination of this Agreement or upon the Company’s request, the Attorney agrees to promptly return all documents, files, and other materials that contain or reflect Confidential Information, including electronic records. The Attorney further agrees that they will not retain any copies of such Confidential Information, whether in physical or electronic form, unless specifically authorized by the Company in writing.
3.3 Third-Party Confidentiality: The Attorney acknowledges that some of the confidential information they will handle may also be protected under agreements with third parties. The Attorney agrees to respect the confidentiality obligations imposed by such third-party agreements and to take all necessary precautions to prevent any unauthorized disclosure.
4. Consideration
In consideration of the Attorney’s agreement to abide by the restrictions set forth in this Agreement, the Company agrees to provide the Attorney with compensation at a rate of [$150] per hour for services rendered, as well as any bonuses, benefits, or incentives as agreed upon by the parties in a separate written agreement. Additionally, the Company agrees to provide the Attorney with access to business resources, information, and training necessary to fulfill their role effectively and professionally.
5. Non-Solicitation
5.1 Non-Solicitation of Employees: The Attorney agrees that during the term of their engagement with the Company, and for a period of [2] years following the termination of their engagement, they will not directly or indirectly solicit, hire, or attempt to hire any employee, contractor, or consultant of the Company to join any competing firm or entity. The Attorney further agrees not to induce any employee or contractor to leave the Company for the purpose of gaining competitive advantage or to assist in the establishment of a competing business.
5.2 Non-Solicitation of Clients: The Attorney agrees that during the term of their engagement with the Company, and for a period of [2] years following the termination of their engagement, they will not directly or indirectly solicit or engage any client, customer, or potential customer of the Company to divert their business to a competing entity. This restriction applies to both current clients of the Company and those who were clients during the Attorney’s engagement.
5.3 No Disparagement: The Attorney agrees not to make or encourage others to make any disparaging or damaging comments, statements, or representations about the Company, its officers, employees, or agents, during or after the term of this Agreement. The Attorney further agrees to refrain from making statements that could harm the Company’s reputation or standing in the industry.
6. Enforcement
6.1 Injunctive Relief: The Attorney acknowledges that a breach of this Agreement would result in irreparable harm to the Company, and that monetary damages may not be a sufficient remedy. In the event of a breach, the Company shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief in addition to any other remedies available under law or equity, including the recovery of any lost profits or other financial losses.
6.2 Legal Fees: If the Company prevails in any legal action or proceeding to enforce this Agreement, the Company shall be entitled to recover its reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, including any fees related to the enforcement of the non-compete, confidentiality, and non-solicitation provisions.
6.3 Arbitration: The parties agree that any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be resolved through binding arbitration in [City, State], under the rules of the American Arbitration Association. The decision of the arbitrator shall be final and binding upon both parties.
7. Severability
If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. The invalid or unenforceable provision shall be modified to the extent necessary to make it enforceable while reflecting the original intent of the parties. The parties agree to substitute any invalid provision with a valid provision that closely matches the economic and legal intent of the original.
8. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of [State], without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Any legal action arising out of this Agreement shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in [County, State].
9. Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Company and the Attorney with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, and discussions, whether written or oral, relating to the subject matter of this Agreement. Any prior or contemporaneous representations, whether oral or written, shall be deemed null and void.
10. Amendments
Any amendments or modifications of this Agreement must be in writing and signed by both parties. No oral modifications or amendments to this Agreement shall be valid. If any provision of this Agreement is changed or amended, the rest of the Agreement will remain in full effect.
11. Execution
This Agreement is executed as of the date first written above. By signing below, both parties acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agreed to all terms and conditions set forth in this Non-Compete Agreement.
[Your Company Name]
Name: [Your Name]
Title:
Date:
Attorney
Name: [Attorney's Name]
Title:
Date:
This Attorney Non-Compete Agreement is binding upon execution by both parties.