Legal Question in Business Law in California

Re: No competition law in California

Covenants not to compete are legal providing they are not too broad. From the facts given, and assuming you signed an employment contract containing that provision, the provision is probably legal. If the provision in your contract prevents you from competing anywhere in California, or prevents you from seeking any employment by others who are not currently clients of your employer, it would probably be held to be invalid.

Re: No competition law in California

The agreement you describe is probably legal, though it may be written in such a way as to make it invalid.

I disagree with your statement that you "cannot be competition for" your employer after you leave. The fact that you cannot lure away your employer's clients does not prevent you from finding new clients, some of whom may currently be protected by your employer's existing competitors.

Re: No competition law in California

You signed the agreement, you break it and your word at your own risk of being sued. That's what contracts and policies are for, to confirm what people 'agree' to. Whether that suit would be successful would depend upon all the facts. No advice in the world, other than 'don't compete', is risk free. Now, if you want to consult and discuss how far you can go, what you can do, etc. reasonably safely, feel free to contact me.