Pittsburgh Non-Compete Lawyer

​​​​Some, but not all, non-competes are legal in Pennsyvlania. Elzer Law Firm supports an outright ban on non-competes because they suppress wages, keep workers in unfulfilling (or even abusive) jobs, and restrain competition and innovation. Unfortunately, the FTC rule banning most non-competes was struck down by a federal judge. 

In Pennsylvania, a non-compete must be reasonable as to geographic area and time. It also must be supported by consideration, meaning the employer must give you something of value in exchange for signing it. The job itself may constitute consideration if the non-compete is signed in connection with accepting the position. Otherwise, something else of value, such as a promotion, pay raise, or cash incentive, must be offered along with the non-compete agreement. A non-compete must also protect a legitimate business interest of the employer, such as trade secrets, customer goodwill, or confidential information. A non-compete cannot be used simply to keep employees from leaving or to stifle competition. Moroever, non-competes for healthcare providers are now illegal in Pennsylvania under certain circumstances. 

When non-competes are written fairly, they strike a balance between the employer’s right to protect its interests with the employee's right to work. Unfortunately, too many non-compete agreements heavily favor the employer. Many employers are even requiring non-competes from low-wage workers with no access to confidential information. Even when these non-competes would likely be struck down by a court, they have a chilling effect on workers who are afraid to violate them or don't have the money to defend against a lawsuit.  

If you are looking for a new job and are being asked to sign a non-compete agreement, you'll need to take some time to evaluate the pros and cons of signing it. Elzer Law Firm, LLC can review your proposed non-compete and advise you on whether to sign it.  We can also discuss whether to try to negotiate a more favorable non-compete agreement before you sign anything.

Not all non-competes are enforceable. If you already signed an agreement and are looking to make a move that may be in violation of that agreement, please contact us for a consultation. If you have been sued by an employer for allegedly violating a non-compete, you must act quickly to defend yourself. Attorney Christine T. Elzer has extensive experience litigating non-compete cases, as well as negotiating with employers to narrow or eliminate non-compete obligations.