So, you have an employment contract. It’s a brand new job and you are new to the industry. If you want to protect your rights in the workplace, it is important to have an attorney briefly review your agreement.
Before you start working, is this a good time to have an employment lawyer in your state review your contract? Before you sign it? Yes.
You are considering leaving, before you make the switch, can you take your clients? Can you stay in the industry? Could this be a good time to speak to an attorney about your legal rights and restrictions? Absolutely.
You are about to join a competitor, and you have a new job offer. They want you. They tell you they have looked at your old contract and that you can take your clients. Even though you trust the new company and their legal counsel, you wonder out-loud whether you should have your contract reviewed again, just in case the law has changed or you are missing something. Is now a good time, before you quit your job? Of course!
You took the new offer on Friday. Saturday you received a cease and desist letter. Your new boss says not to worry – keep calling clients. Is now a good time to have an attorney review your contract and discuss your obligations?
Yes, and in fact, you may need to seek out legal counsel sooner rather than later. Your boss may have exposed you to potential liability.
Do you see a trend here?
Some clients call before they sign. Other call after the sign but before they transition. A few of you wait to call until the word lawsuit is uttered. Whether you are a proactive worry-wart – like me – or a relaxed take life as it comes, the sooner you call, the cheaper it will be for you in the long run to have your contract reviewed.
As most of us have some kind of employment contract or non-compete contract. Most of us don’t take the time to understand them. Most of us are mistaken with this approach.