We have written recently about legislative action in various states concerning their restrictive covenant laws, including Washington state’s prohibitions on nondisclosure and nondisparagement provisions in employment agreements, a proposal in Connecticut to codify limitations on noncompetes, and a law passed in Colorado that would limit the use and enforcement of noncompetes and non-solicitation provisions. Another state that is considering new noncompete legislation is New Hampshire.

Continue Reading “Material Changes” to New Hampshire’s Noncompete Law Proposed

With its recently passed Act Relative to Noncompete Agreements for Low-Wage Employees, New Hampshire has joined a  growing list of states (including Maryland and Maine) that have enacted laws barring employers from enforcing non-competition agreements against low-wage workers.  The New Hampshire law prohibits employers from enforcing agreements against employees earning less than 200% of the federal minimum wage ($14.50/hour as of 2019) which limit their ability to work for another employer for (1) a specific period of time (2) in a specific geographic area, or (3) in a specific industry.  The prohibition takes effect September 8, 2019.
Continue Reading New Hampshire Bans Noncompetes for Low-Wage Workers

Several states in recent years have enacted laws that have been designed, in varying degrees, to limit non-competes, including California, Illinois, and Nevada. Which states and cities are most likely to do the same in 2018?

The New Hampshire and New York City legislatures have introduced bills that seek to prohibit the use of non-compete agreements with regard to low-wage employees. Under New Hampshire’s Bill (SB 423), a “low-wage employee” is defined as one who earns $15.00 per hour or less.  The New Hampshire Bill was introduced on January 24, 2018 and is scheduled for a hearing
Continue Reading Which States Are Likely to Enact Laws Restricting Non-Compete Agreements in 2018?

On December 21, 2012, the Supreme Court of New Hampshire, in Ellis v. Candia Trailers & Snow Equipment, Inc., found that a non-compete agreement was a fundamental component of a purchase and sale transaction which was memorialized in three separate agreements. The Seller began competing with Buyer shortly after the sale. After the Buyer did not follow through on purchasing all required assets of the Seller, the Supreme Court reversed the trial court’s decision to partially rescind the non-compete agreement, and instead decided that the non-compete was so essential to the transaction that it required complete rescission of the transaction.
Continue Reading Violation of a Non-Compete Agreement Which Was Fundamental to a Purchase and Sale Transaction Nixes the Deal