Chandler Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreements Lawyer

Attorney William D. Black has been practicing business law in Chandler and throughout Arizona for over 30 years. He and his team have the experience and state-of-the-art legal resources to help you with a confidentiality or non-compete agreement case. We understand these contracts and how to fight or defend them, according to our client’s goals. Start your case with a free, confidential consultation at our local law office. Contact us today at (602) 265-2600 to speak to a Chandler confidentiality or non-compete agreement attorney.

What’s the Purpose of a Confidentiality or Non-Compete Agreement?

Many businesses rely on trade secrets to survive. In an effort to protect these secrets from going public or being leaked to their competitors, business owners use legal contracts with restrictive covenant provisions, such as confidentiality agreements, nondisclosure agreements and non-compete agreements.

A confidentiality agreement is a legal document that binds the party involved to an agreement where they cannot disclose confidential information. The most common example is a nondisclosure agreement, or NDA. A non-compete agreement is a contract where an employee or worker agrees not to open a business or work in other ways that will compete against the company once the individual has left the company.

Are Non-Compete Agreements and NDAs Enforceable in Arizona?

Yes, the law in Arizona allows for NDAs and non-compete agreements and will enforce them if they adhere to state law. These contracts must comply with the following requirements:

1. They must specifically protect a legitimate business interest, such as intellectual property or trade secrets.
2. They must be reasonable in their scope and duration. What is reasonable changes across different industries and situations.
3. They must not violate public policy. They cannot have clauses that prevent an employee from working at all after quitting a job, for example, or that deprive the public of an important service.

Various state laws also apply to anti-piracy agreements, non-solicitation agreements and similar types of contracts in Arizona.

How Can an Experienced Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreement Attorney in Chandler Help You?

Our team of experienced attorneys and litigators can help you understand your rights as an employer or employee in Chandler who is dealing with a confidentiality agreement or non-compete agreement. We have experience representing both sides of these cases – those who wish to enforce and defend restrictive covenant provisions and those who wish to get out of contracts that they’ve signed. Our business law attorneys can provide sound legal advice and top-quality representation during all phases of your case, including a trial (if necessary) to achieve optimal results.

FAQs About Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreements

• Are non-compete agreements upheld in court? The answer to this question depends on the unique case. The courts in Arizona are often reluctant to interfere with an employee’s right to work. However, if the non-compete agreement meets the state’s legal requirements, the courts will generally uphold the document.
• Why are confidentiality and non-compete agreements often challenged? These contracts may be unenforceable if they are unreasonable in their terms, are boilerplate or “one-size-fits-all” in scope, do not fulfill a legitimate business purpose, have not been properly updated or amended over time, or because of laws that specifically apply to an employer.
• What is a step-down provision in a non-compete agreement? This is a common provision that narrows geographic and time alternatives (known as step-downs) progressively. Employers often use these so that the courts can selectively eliminate unreasonable provisions but allow the rest of the agreement to stand (referred to as “blue penciling” the agreement).

Contact a Chandler Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreement Lawyer Today

If your job or business involves a confidentiality agreement, non-disclosure form, non-compete contract or a similar legal document, consult with an attorney at The Law Offices of William D. Black for legal guidance. Our lawyers can come up with creative solutions to your particular legal matter as your dedicated advocates.

Request your free consultation with a confidentiality and non-compete agreement attorney in Chandler, Arizona today at (602) 265-2600 or by contacting us online. We offer confidential case evaluations at no financial risk or obligation to you.