Yes, the general rule in NY is that lawyers can't be held to a non-compete. But the Court of Appeals has acknowledged a rare exception to that rule.
As a general rule, restrictive covenants entered into voluntarily will be enforced where the covenant is “reasonable in time and area, necessary to protect the employer's legitimate interests, not harmful to the general public and not unreasonably burdensome to the employee.” Reed, Roberts Associates, Inc.
compete is only allowed and enforceable to the extent it (1) is necessary to protect the employer's legitimate interests, (2) does not impose an undue hardship on the employee, (3) does not harm the public, and (4) is reasonable in time period and geographic scope.
Restrictive Covenants, Explained This restricts how homeowners can manage and modify their land. Examples include restrictions on fence options, the type of animals allowed and the use of outbuildings, such as sheds.
Summary: This bill would prohibit employers from entering into non-compete agreements with employees, and it would rescind any non-compete agreements that predate the effective date of this bill. Employers would be subject to a $500 civil penalty for each violation of this bill. Ver.
Although New York State lawmakers passed a non-compete ban in 2023, Gov. Hochul vetoed the bill primarily because she wanted to see exceptions allowing non-competes in connection with the sale of a business and for high-income earners that have more negotiating power.
If it looks like a restrictive covenant is enforceable and is going to be breached by development, seek to obtain a restrictive covenant title indemnity insurance policy to cover any loss from a claim from a beneficiary. You should insure the full gross development value of the property affected.
Is a 12-month restrictive covenant enforceable? Each case turns on its own facts, but a court is generally reluctant to enforce restrictive covenants longer than 12 months. Market practice dictates a period of between 3 and 6 months is appropriate for more junior employees.
5 Ways to Defeat a New York Non-Compete Agreement Fired Without Cause. If your employer is not willing to employ you, courts generally will not enforce a non-compete agreement. The Legitimate Business Interests Test. Unclean Hands – Breach of Contract by Employer. The Janitor Rule. There Is No Competition.
If a deed restriction is not enforceable, you can choose to ignore it and take on the risk of a neighbor filing suit, or you can seek out a judge's ruling to have the covenant removed from the deed. Obtaining that ruling is easier when no one is actively enforcing the covenant.