Noncompete agreement and change of control?

It depends on the terms of the non-compete and the size of your employer. Without seeing the agreement and knowing the size of your employer, I can't offer more advice.

I am a WA State employment attorney. If you didn’t receive anything in return for signing the non-compete, it may be relatively easy to get out of it. If, however, you signed in return for something, such as a severance package, it will be challenging to get out of the agreement. However, many non-compete agreements are written overly broadly and may not be enforceable under the laws of WA and other states. You may want to consult with a WA State employment attorney for a review of the documents and law(s) of the state(s) where you may want to work or set up a business. (A WA State attorney can only provide legal advice in WA, but can help you find applicable law/case decisions for other states but without providing anything beyond information, much like a law librarian).

If you are in Washington State, where I'm licensed, as opposed to D.C., please let me know what kind of help you are looking for - have you already signed the agreement? I've been a WA State attorney for nearly 38 years, and specialize in employment law.

No, at worst, it is a breach of a contract which is a civil matter to be handled in civil court.

I would need to review the agreement to see what it says, what is prohibited. Will need to see the agreement. Generally non competes have a set time frame. Has that time frame already passed? DISCLAIMER The answers to these questions do not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship with the attorney and anyone who reviews these responses.