Legal Question in Business Law in Illinois

Re: Stolen Clients

There are a lot of variables to your situation that are relevant in determining the strength of your case. You said you did not have an employment agreement with her, so she's not barred by any contract. However, if she took affirmative steps toward starting her business while she was still employed by you, you may have a cause of action against her. Also, it would seem that she took confidential information from your company (your client list) and used it to her advantage, so you may have something there. But there are other important factors that need to be considered, such as in what capacity she was employed by you, the nature of your small business, whether she's using your company's confidential information, whether you have contracts with your clients, etc. Additionally, certain professions have specific rules that deal with this, so depending on what your company does, you may have to file a grievance against her with the relevant regulatory agency.

You should really find a lawyer in your community with whom you can discuss this in greater detail.