Missouri Noncompete Agreement: What's Included and Enforceability
Quick Facts — Noncompete Agreement Lawyers
- Avg cost to draft a Non-Compete Agreement: $550.00
- Avg cost to review a Non-Compete Agreement: $360.00
- Lawyers available: 233 employment lawyers
- Clients helped: 327 recent noncompete agreement projects
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Is a Non-Compete Agreement Enforceable in Missouri?
Non-compete agreements in Missouri are legal and enforceable. In Missouri, non-compete agreements are governed by a mixture of state statutes and case law. Agreements must be reasonable and the limitations imposed by the contract cannot be more excessive than necessary to protect the business owner’s interests.
According to the statute governing non-compete agreements business interests include:
- Confidential business information
- Trade secrets
- Customer or supplier relationships
- Goodwill
Under Missouri law and the rules governing the Missouri bar, the only two types of employees that are prohibited from entering non-compete agreements are secretarial or clerical employees and attorneys.
How Long Does a Missouri Non-Compete Agreement Last?
Missouri state statutes placed a one-year maximum limit on non-compete agreements. The one-year period begins after the employee’s employment has ended. Contracts that have terms lasting more than one year will not be enforced.
How Do You Get Around a Non-Compete Agreement in Missouri?
To get around a non-compete agreement in Missouri, an employee must prove that the restrictions of the contract fail to protect a legitimate business interest or that the agreement too broad and unreasonable.
Missouri recognizes the principle of blue penciling. This means that a court has the authority to modify an unenforceable contract to make the contract enforceable. Courts must only modify the contract in favor if the employee. For example, if the geographic area in the contract is “statewide”, a court may deem that unreasonable and modify it to a few select counties or a 50-mile radius.
What Voids a Non-Compete Agreement in Missouri?
A non-compete agreement in Missouri will be void if it violates any of the statutes that governs contracts. This includes a non-compete with a duration of more than one year, or if the contract doesn’t include all essential elements of a valid contract.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Meet some of our Missouri Noncompete Agreement Lawyers
Joseph B.
I am an attorney licensed in Indiana. I currently work primarily on civil litigation, landlord/tenant matters, and adoption cases. I have over 10 years of labor relations experience, including negotiations, labor contract enforcement, and arbitration experience. I also work with several non-profit groups representing LGBTQ+ groups and indigent clients in housing matters.
"Joseph gave me a great deal on a detailed lease with everything I needed included. Would definitely recommend!"
Mark P.
I represent a diverse mix in a vast array of specialties, including litigation, contracts, compliance, business and financial strategies, and emerging industries. Credit for this foundation of strength goes to those who taught me. Skilled professors and professionals fostered my powerful educational and professional background. Prior to law school, I earned dual Bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration & Accounting from Peru State College. I received a Master of Business Administration degree from Chadron State College. My ambitions did not stop there. While working full time as a Senior Accountant for the University of Missouri, Columbia, I achieved the lifelong goal of becoming a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Mizzo provided excellent opportunities and amazing experiences. Managing over $50M in government and private research funding was a gift. As a high ranking professional in the Department of Research, I was given priceless insight into the greatest scientific, journalistic, medical, and legal minds in the world. My passion for successful growth did not, and has not stopped. I graduated summa cum laude (top 3%) with a Doctorate in Law, emphasizing in urban, land use and environmental/toxic tort law from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. This success lead to invaluable experiences of serving as Hon. Brian C. Wimes' judicial clerk for the U.S. District Court for the W. D. of Missouri, as a staff editor/writer for UMKC Law Review, and as a litigation and transactional attorney with Lathrop GPM (fka Lathrop & Gage). My professional and personal network is expansive, with established relationships throughout the U.S. and overseas. Although I engage in legal practice all over the country, I maintain law licenses in Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska. Federally, I hold licenses in the W.D. and E.D. of Missouri and the District of Nebraska. To offer extra value, efficiency, and options, I maintain a CPA license and am obtaining a real-estate brokerage license.
"I contacted Parachini Law after I had sent multiple unanswered information requests a third party. Mark not only send out a record request to the address specified, but also sent out additional requests at other possible business addresses to ensure the request was received. As a result, I finally received the information I was looking for. The firm was very professional to work with."
May 5, 2022
Michael V.
Seven years experience reviewing and drafting corporate and transactional documents, including NDAs, LLC operating agreements, MSAs, employment agreements, etc.
John C.
Licensed to practice law in the states of Missouri and Kansas. Have been licensed to practice law for 44 years. Have been AV rated by Martindale Hubbel for almost 30 years.
June 6, 2023
William W.
My name is Will, and I'm the Principal Attorney at Accelerate Law STL, a startup attorney who helps entrepreneurs and small businesses with everything from formation to IPO. Whether your small to mid-sized business needs help drafting or reviewing contracts, securing intellectual property, complying with government regulations, or even streamlining your business' internal policies, I'm prepared to help.
August 2, 2023
Scott M.
Skilled/versatile attorney (and RE broker) with 10+ years' experience and diverse background in real estate, business law, injury litigation, estate planning. Select Experience: • Former General Counsel (and current Of Counsel) for a prominent real estate developer touching on all aspects of business in a hands-on and advisory role, including Lease and PSA contract negotiations; • Years of successful injury litigation practice as associate and solo (primarily plaintiff, some defense) with multiple six-figure settlements; • Years of expertise in business law for a variety of industries as well as estate planning for small to mid-size entities.
July 26, 2023
Michael S.
Born and raised in St. Louis, MO. Bachelors Degree from the University of Iowa. Masters Degree from the University of Melbourne. J.D. from the University of Kansas. Licensed to practice law in Missouri and Kansas. Tennessee currently pending.
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View MoreEmployment
Noncompete Agreement
Washington
Noncompete agreement and public policy?
I recently accepted a job offer with a new employer who asked me to sign a noncompete agreement. I am concerned that the agreement may not be in line with public policy and wanted to get a professional opinion from a lawyer to make sure I am not putting myself in a difficult situation.
Merry K.
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.
Employment
Noncompete Agreement
Colorado
Can I get out of my noncompete agreement?
I am looking at my options.
Donya G.
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.
Employment
Noncompete Agreement
Missouri
Could someone go to jail if they are accused of fraud for never intending to not breaching his or her non compete non solicit contract?
I am really curious when employment contract can become criminal. Is it criminal to ask you coworker to come work with you, considering if you are accused of fraud for breaching non compete non solicit?
Matthew S.
No, this at worst is a civil matter and not a criminal matter. F
Employment
Noncompete Agreement
Connecticut
Noncompete agreement and change of control?
I recently accepted a new position with a company that has requested that I sign a noncompete agreement. I understand the agreement and the limitations it puts on me, but I am concerned about how the agreement would be affected if the company is sold or changes ownership in the future. I would like to understand my legal rights in the event of a change of control.
Thomas L.
If the future company buys the equity of your current employer, the Non-Compete continues in effect. If the future company buys the assets, the Non-Compete is terminated. I would request a sentence be added to the effect that "if there is a change of control of the Company (meaning more than 50% of the equity interest or 50% of the voting equity control) is sold or transferred, then this Non-Compete Agreement is terminated.
Employment
Noncompete Agreement
Washington
Noncompete agreement termination options?
I recently left my job after signing a Noncompete Agreement. I am looking for a new job, but I am concerned about the restrictions in the Noncompete Agreement and how it might affect my ability to find a new job. I am looking for advice on my options for terminating or modifying the Noncompete Agreement so that I can find a new job without having to worry about any potential legal repercussions.
Merry K.
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).
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