Minnesota Noncompete Agreement: What's Included and Enforceability

Quick Facts — Noncompete Agreement Lawyers

Is a Non-Compete Agreement Enforceable in Minnesota?

Yes. In Minnesota, courts will enforce a non-compete agreement as long as it is reasonable, and the employee knows at the beginning of the employment relationship that there will be a non-compete agreement.

According to the courts, a non-compete agreement is reasonable when it protects the employer’s goodwill without imposing limits on the employee that are greater than necessary.

How Long Does a Minnesota Non-Compete Agreement Last?

Non-compete agreements can be used when employers hire new employees or when a business is purchased, and the new owner wants to prevent the previous owner from continuing to do business. The maximum term for a non-compete used for hiring employees is two years while the maximum term for business sales is ten years.

How Do You Get Around a Non-Compete Agreement in Minnesota?

To get around a non-compete agreement in Minnesota, an employee will have to show that the agreement is unreasonable and the limitations put in place by the contract are more than necessary to protect the employer’s business interests.

Unreasonable terms could include a duration that is too long or a geographic area that is too large. Non-compete agreements will also be deemed unreasonable if the contract is preventing an individual from finding work and earning a living.

What Voids a Non-Compete Agreement in Minnesota?

A non-compete agreement must include consideration to be a legally valid contract. Consideration is when the parties exchange something of value. In some states, courts have ruled that continued employment is sufficient consideration for signing a non-compete, however Minnesota has more strict standards.

In Minnesota, if a non-compete agreement is a separate contract from an employment contract, there needs to be additional consideration in the form of substantial economic benefits. These benefits can include:

  • Increased salary
  • Promotion
  • Guaranteed long term employment
  • Professional development

Without additional consideration, a Minnesota non-compete agreement will be void.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Davis S.

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Minneapolis, MN
23 Yrs Experience
Licensed in MN
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Davis founded DLO in 2010 after nearly a decade of practicing in the corporate department of a larger law firm. Armed with this experience and knowledge of legal solutions used by large entities, Davis set out to bring the same level of service to smaller organizations and individuals. The mission was three-fold: provide top-notch legal work, charge fair prices for it, and never stop evolving to meet the changing needs of clients. Ten years and more than 1000 clients later, Davis is proud of the assistance DLO provides for companies large and small, and the expanding service they now offer for individuals and families.

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Michael B.

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Michael has extensive experience advising companies from start-ups to established publicly-traded companies . He has represented businesses in a wide array of fields IT consulting, software solutions, web design/ development, financial services, SaaS, data storage, and others. Areas of expertise include contract drafting and negotiation, terms of use, business structuring and funding, company and employee policies, general transactional issues as well as licensing and regulatory compliance. His prior experience before entering private practice includes negotiating sales contracts for a Fortune 500 healthcare company, as well as regulatory compliance contracts for a publicly traded dental manufacturer. Mr. Brennan firmly believes that every business deserves a lawyer that is both responsive and dependable, and he strives to provide that type of service to every client.

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Retired Dentist transitioned to Law, with a special interest in Commercial Real Estate, Startup businesses, Asset Purchase Agreements, and Employment Contracts. I love to help dentists and physicians with legal issues pertaining to licensing, credentialing, employment, and general business-legal questions.

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Respected, driven, ethical, and high energy legal and business professional with strong focus on litigation, contracts and compliance issues. Critical management experience includes client development, developing core initiatives, and forecasting risk in major corporations. Strong legal research, analytical and problem solving skills with demonstrated adaptability in a multifaceted legal practice including delivering high value results in a Fortune 10 environment. Core competencies include: Tactical and strategic legal direction and support to clients which includes contract negotiation, drafting and review, business planning, and a passion for relationship management. Excellent legal research, writing, analytical and problem solving skills including legal training and compliance with regulatory requirements and corporate policies. Coordinates with in-house legal and business resources for team building with excellent verbal communication skills, coaching, and leadership.

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Contracts

Noncompete Agreement

Florida

Asked on May 19, 2023

Noncompete agreement choice of law?

I recently accepted a job offer with a new employer and they sent me a Noncompete Agreement to sign. I have some questions about the agreement, specifically related to the choice of law. My former employer and I are in different states, and I want to make sure I understand the implications of the agreement before signing.

Venus C.

Answered May 23, 2023

Congratulations on your new job. Generally, a choice of law clause contained in a non-compete agreement indicates which state law will govern the contract. By way of general example, let's pretend we have a non-compete agreement that states the choice of law is Florida. Let's also pretend the parties to this agreement had a dispute and one party filed a lawsuit against the other in the state of New York. In this pretend scenario, because the parties agreed Florida to be their choice of law for the non-compete agreement, the court in New York would abide by that contractual agreement and apply Florida law. While choice of law clauses are commonly used to indicate what law will apply to a contract, the language used or omitted plays a significant role in their interpretation and enforceability.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Employee Rights

Noncompete Agreement

Florida

Asked on Jun 29, 2023

Noncompete agreement geographic scope?

I recently left my job of five years and have been offered a new position with a competitor. The new employer has asked me to sign a noncompete agreement. I am concerned about the geographic scope of the agreement and need to understand what areas it would cover, and if it would prevent me from taking a position with a competitor in another state or country.

Daniel D.

Answered Jul 25, 2023

The Courts use a reasonableness standard determine if a non-compete is reasonable in time and geographic scope. It would be necessary to see the non-compete to tell you what it says, the areas it would cover and if it would prevent you from taking another position.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Employment

Noncompete Agreement

Delaware

Asked on Dec 12, 2023

Employee contract, such as non compete/non solicit, could having this contract ever result in criminal/jail time?

If someone accuses you of fraud, because they believe you never had intended to honor your employment contract such as non-compete/non-solicit. Could this ever become a criminal case, resulting in criminal/jail time?

Matthew S.

Answered Dec 16, 2023

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

Read 1 attorney answer>

Employment

Noncompete Agreement

Connecticut

Asked on Jun 3, 2023

Noncompete agreement and promotions?

I recently accepted a promotion within my company and was asked to sign a noncompete agreement. I am concerned that if I accept the promotion and then leave the company, that I will not be able to take a similar position with another company. I am also worried that if I don't accept the promotion, I may be at risk of being terminated. I need to know what my rights are and what the implications are of signing the noncompete agreement.

Thomas L.

Answered Jun 16, 2023

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.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Employment

Noncompete Agreement

Colorado

Asked on Mar 31, 2021

Can I get out of my noncompete agreement?

I am looking at my options.

Donya G.

Answered Mar 31, 2021

You may be able to be released from a non compete. You would have to review the language in the non compete to see the expiration. 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.

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