For a company or an owner of a business who has a significant interest in keeping a former employee from becoming a competitor, or to keep that employee from “poaching” clients, or who wants to protect certain trade secrets confidential, having an experienced legal partner on your side can be your best weapon.

At Crone & Mason, plc, we have assisted clients from coast to coast in both the enforcement of and the defense against non-compete agreements. So we are quite familiar with the mindsets of both parties in these types of disputes.

The key to success is often the quality of investigation and discovery we are able to perform prior to the hearing on the injunction. Thus involving us as soon as possible after learning about improper competition or solicitation of employees or customers is critical.

Getting the offending conduct halted and preserving the asset being protected (client list, relationship, manufacturing process, technical process, formulas, etc.) is what matters most. While we are sometimes able to secure monetary damages for our client, often those in breach of their agreements are unable to pay damages. That is why Crone & Mason, plc carefully explores the financial aspects of the case on the front end to determine whether the effort of pursuing damages is justified by the potential for reward. In most cases the cost of pursuing legal action is justified by ending the offending conduct and securing an injunction to protect the assets (client list, relationship, manufacturing process, technical process, formulas, etc.) in question.

If you are involved in a dispute over a non-compete agreement and wish to discuss your options, contact Alan Crone at 901.683.1850.