How Good Faith Is Implied in Non-Solicitation Agreements Under NY Law

Nearly one year ago, we wrote in general terms about how good faith is implied in New York contracts. This article, however, will focus on the underlying factors that New York’s courts will consider when applying this doctrine to non-solicitation agreements. Fortunately, a hot-off-the-presses decision from New York State’s highest court offers some guidance – [...]

NY Court Clarifies Standard For “Improper Solicitation” of Old Clients

In a fascinating – and significant – April 28 decision, New York State’s highest court answered the following question: How far can you go to help your new employer solicit your former clients under New York law? Here are some of the salient facts in the breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty case [...]

Non-Compete Agreements in Hi-Tech Sector Go Too Far, Says DOJ

Apparently even the high-end technology sector has to play by the same rules regarding non-compete agreements as the rest of us; or, at least that’s the Department of Justice’s position. In two actions that were recently filed in federal court in Washington D.C. (United States v. Adobe Systems, Inc., and United States v. Lucasfilm, Ltd.) [...]

In NY, How Far Can You Go to Help Your New Employer Solicit Your Old Clients?

That’s exactly the question that was recently posed, or in legal terms, “certified,” to New York State’s highest court by the Federal system’s Second Circuit Court of Appeals. In Bessemer Trust Company, N.A. v. Branin, the plaintiff sued one of its former executives in federal court for damages they allegedly sustained when he solicited his [...]

Suffolk County Court Upholds Validity of Non-Compete Agreement – For Now

In a decision that was published in this morning’s New York Law Journal, Justice Pines of Suffolk County denied the defendants-employees’  motion to dismiss their former employer’s claims seeking damages resulting from these employees’  solicitation of the company’s clients (or in legal terms,  breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and tortious interference) while they [...]