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Stephen Fox is a partner in the firm's Labor and Employment and Business Trial Practice Groups in the firm's Dallas office.

On January 5, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced a broad proposed rule that would ban employers from imposing noncompete clauses on their workers. The FTC press release announcing the proposed rule states that noncompete clauses—which apply to about one in five American workers—suppress wages, hamper innovation, block entrepreneurs from starting new businesses and reduce American workers’ earnings between $250 billion and $296 billion per year.[1] The proposed rule would prohibit employers from: (1) entering into or attempting to enter into a noncompete with a worker; (2) maintaining a noncompete with a worker; or (3) representing to a worker, under certain circumstances, that the worker is subject to a noncompete. The term “worker” covers paid staff in addition to independent contractors and unpaid staff. The proposed rule does not apply to noncompete provisions imposed upon 25% owners of a business in transaction documents related to the sale of the business. The proposal is subject to a 60-day public comment period commencing when the Federal Register publishes the proposed rule.

Continue Reading FTC Seeks to Ban Noncompete Agreements in Employment Contracts

In a vacuum, the mere notion of giving a rival company access to your business’s confidential and proprietary materials would be unthinkable.  After all, this is the “secret sauce” that has helped expand your company, drive market share, and generate immense value.  If a competitor gained access to your trade secrets, the very foundations of your success could be in peril.
Continue Reading Protecting Trade Secrets During An Acquisition: Showing Off The Goods Without Giving Away The Store