How to create a noncompete agreement

Table of Contents......Page 4
Introduction......Page 6
1. What’s In a Noncompete Agreement?......Page 13
A. Making an Enforceable Agreement......Page 15
B. Noncompetition Provisions......Page 16
C. Nondisclosure Provisions......Page 24
D. Managing Your Secrets So They Stay That Way......Page 33
E. Avoid Using Others’ Trade Secrets......Page 36
F. Nonsolicitation Provisions......Page 38
2. When to Use a Noncompete Agreement......Page 42
A. Who Should Sign a Noncompete Agreement......Page 43
B. States That Restrict Noncompetition Clauses......Page 47
3. Using Noncompete Agreements for Employees......Page 60
A. The Cost of Your Noncompete Agreement......Page 61
B. New Employees......Page 62
C. Existing Employees......Page 67
D. Departing Employees......Page 71
4. Creating a Noncompete Agreement for an Employee......Page 75
A. The Introductory Clauses......Page 78
C. The Noncompete Clauses......Page 81
D. Additional Clauses for the Severance Agreement......Page 89
E. Boilerplate Clauses......Page 93
F. Clauses Not Included in Our Employee Agreements......Page 100
G. Instructions for Amendment Form......Page 102
H. Completing Your Agreement......Page 103
5. Using Noncompete Agreements for Independent Contractors......Page 113
A. Identifying Independent Contractors......Page 114
C. Noncompete Agreements for New, Existing and Departing Contractors......Page 121
6. Creating an Independent Contractor Agreement......Page 130
A. The Introductory Clauses......Page 134
B. Description of the Work Relationship......Page 136
C. The Noncompete Clauses......Page 143
D. Additional Clauses for Termination Agreements......Page 151
E. Standard Clauses......Page 154
F. Clauses Not Included in Our Agreements......Page 160
G. Instructions for Amendment Form......Page 161
H. Completing Your Agreement......Page 163
7. When Workers Depart: Revisiting Your Agreement......Page 177
A. Understand Your Rights......Page 178
B. Steps to Take When a Worker Departs......Page 184
8. Help Beyond This Book......Page 195
A. The “Legal Coach” Arrangement......Page 196
B. Finding a Lawyer......Page 198
C. Paying for a Lawyer......Page 199
D. Doing Self-Help Research......Page 204
E. Nolo Employment and Small Business Resources......Page 205
Appendix 1: How to Use the CD-ROM......Page 209
Appendix 2: Noncompete Statutes......Page 214
Appendix 3: Forms for Businesses With Employees......Page 225
Index......Page 258