Pennsylvania 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: $350.00
- Lawyers available: 227 employment lawyers
- Clients helped: 288 recent noncompete agreement projects
- Avg lawyer rating: 5.0 (71 reviews)
Is a Non-Compete Agreement Enforceable in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Non-compete agreements can be used by employers in Pennsylvania to protect confidential business information from prior employees.
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania established specific requirements that must be met by all non-compete agreements in order for the contracts to be legally enforceable. These requirements include:
- The contract must be between parties that have an employment relationship.
- The restrictions are reasonably necessary to protect the employer’s interests.
- The restrictions are reasonable in regard to duration and geographic area.
Courts in Pennsylvania will also used a test called the “balance test” to determine whether a non-compete agreement is reasonable. Courts will consider the balance between the protection the non-compete affords the employer with the effects the agreement has on an employee attempting to earn a living.
How Long Does a Pennsylvania Non-Compete Agreement Last?
Courts in Pennsylvania have determined that two years is a reasonable amount of time for a non-compete agreement to last. Non-compete agreements can be made for longer, however if challenged, they are more likely to be ruled unreasonable and unenforceable.
How Do You Get Around a Non-Compete Agreement in Pennsylvania?
If an employee wants to get around a non-compete agreement or terminate the contract, they must prove to a court that the contract is unreasonable and imposes an undue hardship on the employee.
If a non-compete agreement in Pennsylvania doesn’t adhere to the rules implemented by the Supreme Court or doesn’t pass the balance test, it will be struck down.
What Voids a Pennsylvania Non-Compete Agreement?
All non-compete agreements must be backed by adequate consideration. In many states, continued employment is sufficient consideration for a non-compete. Pennsylvania however requires additional consideration. Additional consideration can include a change in status like a new job title, or additional compensation and benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
See Noncompete Agreement by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
See Real Non-Compete Agreement Projects
California Employment non compete question session Drafting
- California
- 6 lawyer bids
- $249 - $500
Nevada I have two non competes that needs review, one on rollover shares and as a retired officer Review
- Nevada
- 3 lawyer bids
- $400 - $500
Florida Review Employment Contract Non-Compete Clause for Chiropractor Review
- Florida
- 4 lawyer bids
- $150 - $399
Illinois confidentiality and non-compete agreement review Review
- Illinois
- 6 lawyer bids
- $599 - $850
See all Non-Compete Agreement projects in Pennsylvania
ContractsCounsel is not a law firm, and this post should not be considered and does not contain legal advice. To ensure the information and advice in this post are correct, sufficient, and appropriate for your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. Also, using or accessing ContractsCounsel's site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ContractsCounsel.
Need help with a Noncompete Agreement?
Meet some of our Pennsylvania Noncompete Agreement Lawyers
Agnes M.
Agnes Mombrun Geter is the Founder and Managing Attorney of Mombrun Law, PLLC. She is an experienced attorney and is a member of the Florida Bar, New Jersey Bar, and the Pennsylvania Bar. The firm's practice focuses on Estate Planning, Business Law, and Debt Settlement including IRS Debt Relief. The firm's goal is to simplify the law and provide clients with the confidence and information necessary to make their decisions. The firm also provides project-based legal services to other attorneys and law firms, along with assisting as personal counsel and local counsel on legal matters.
"Ma. Agnes was very kind and thorough. I highly recommend her and would hire her again if needed."
Ryan W.
Ryan A. Webber focuses his practice primarily on Estate Planning, Elder Law, and Life Care Planning. His clients range from young families concerned about protecting their family as well as aging individuals. Ryan provides Estate Planning, Trust Planning, Special Needs Planning, Public Benefit Planning, and Estate Administration. Ryan focuses on the holistic approach to the practice of elder law which seeks to ensure clients are receiving good care when needed and that they preserve enough assets with which to pay for such care. Many families and individuals also come to Ryan for preparation of their wills, power of attorney, and healthcare guidance documents. Additionally, Ryan assists small and medium sized business owners with their organizational and planning needs. From starting or winding down a business, Ryan provides quality business advice.
"Ryan helped me better understand my contract (he explained the legalese) and potential issues relating to it. He noticed things I wouldn't have noticed."
Samuel R.
My career interests are to practice Transactional Corporate Law, including Business Start Up, as well as Real Estate Law, Estate Planning Law, and Intellectual Property Law. I am currently licensed in Arizona, Pennsylvania and Utah, after having moved to Phoenix from Philadelphia in September 2019. I currently serve as General Counsel for a bioengineering company. I handle everything from their Business Transactional Agreements, Private Placement Memorandums, and Corporate Structures to Intellectual Property Assignments, to Employment Law and Beach of Contract settlements. Responsibilities include writing and executing agreements, drafting court pleadings, court appearances, mergers and acquisitions, transactional documents, managing expert specialized legal counsel, legal research and anticipating unique legal issues that could impact the Company. Conducted an acquisition of an entire line of intellectual property from a competitor. In regards to other clients, I am primarily focused on transactional law for clients in a variety of industries including, but not limited to, real estate investment, property management, and e-commerce. Work is primarily centered around entity formation and corporate structure, corporate governance agreements, PPMs, opportunity zone tax incentives, and all kinds of business to business agreements. I have also recently gained experience with Estate Planning law, drafting numerous Estate Planning documents for people such as Wills, Powers of Attorney, Healthcare Directives, and Trusts. I was selected to the Super Lawyers Southwest Rising Stars list for 2024 - 2026. Each year no more than 2.5% of the attorneys in Arizona and New Mexico are selected to the Rising Stars. I am looking to further gain legal experience in these fields of law as well as expand my legal experience assisting business start ups, and also trademark registration and licensing.
"Sam was great to work with. He was responsive. His redlines and corresponding comments were extremely helpful. I am so glad I hired him to help with my FSBO contract."
Brian S.
Corporate attorney with 16+ years of in-house counsel, people leadership and client management experience. Provides legal expertise and a business-oriented approach to problem solving and building lines of business. Consistently works under pressure, prioritizing and managing workload and simultaneous tasks to meet deadlines in a changing, fast-paced environment.
"Great work and communication. Would recommend working with Brian!"
January 4, 2021
Matan S.
Matan is an experienced M&A, corporate, tax and real estate attorney advising closely held businesses, technology start ups, service businesses, and manufacturers in purchases, sales, and other exit strategies. Matan works with founders and first-and-second generation owners to strategically transition businesses.
January 24, 2022
Peter W. Y.
Perceptive, solution-driven counselor and experienced attorney. Record of successful verdicts, settlements, negotiations, arbitrations, mediations, and deals. Effective claims management, litigation strategy, and risk consulting. Proven ability to oversee litigation teams, communicate to stakeholders, manage multiple projects effectively, and expand business relationships. Extensive experience handling legal issues in engineering and construction, environmental litigation, corporate and contractual, and insurance issues.
January 4, 2022
Amy Sue L.
Ms. Leavens is a corporate attorney with 10 years of experience as the General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary of a Congressionally chartered, non-profit corporation, and more than 20 years of experience as an advisor to executive officers and boards of directors in for-profit and non-profit organizations. She has substantial experience within in-house legal departments managing cross-functional teams comprised of multiple business units and attorneys on large-scale mission critical projects, and within a global law firm as a manager of public and private, domestic and international, multi-party business transactions. She has unique experience implementing government-sponsored business initiatives. Ms. Leavens was honored in 2015 as one of Washington, D.C.’s Top Corporate Counsel by Bisnow and the Association of Corporate Counsel; nominated in 2014 for the Association of Corporate Counsel (WMACCA) Outstanding Chief Legal Officer Award; and the recipient in 2014 of WMACCA’s Community Service Award.
Find the best lawyer for your project
Browse Lawyers NowLawyer Reviews for Pennsylvania Noncompete Agreement Projects
Review Noncompete Agreement
"Absolutely incredible person super responsive and willing to help me navigate through a challenging situation. Allen is top notch, professional, and comprehensive."
Review Non-Compete Clause in Coaching Program Agreement
"Zachary did a great job and delivered his answers quickly."
Review Non-Solicitation Clause and Draft Preventative Letter in NYC
"Zack was a pleasure to work with. He was thorough, responsive, and provided clear, practical guidance for my situation."
Review Employment Contract Non-Compete Clause for Chiropractor
"I’m very grateful for [Attorney Name]’s guidance in reviewing my contract. They were responsive, knowledgeable, and made a potentially stressful situation feel manageable."
confidentiality and non-compete agreement review
"Ryenne provides excellent service and highly recommended"
Business Contracts
Noncompete Agreement
Florida
Noncompete agreement for consultants?
I am a consultant who is looking to take on a new client, but the client requires me to sign a Noncompete Agreement. I want to make sure that I am not signing away my rights, and that the agreement is fair and reasonable. I am also interested in understanding how this agreement would affect my ability to work with other clients.
Venus C.
Hello. I appreciate your concerns about signing a Noncompete Agreement. It's essential to protect your rights and ensure the agreement is fair and reasonable given that a noncompete typically restricts competing activities during or after the term of engagement. Without knowing more about the business relationship and reviewing the actual terms, whether the non-compete is fair, reasonable, or even enforceable remains an open-ended question. Bearing this in mind, if the noncompete is preventing you from taking on other clients during or after the end of your relationship (or both), the scope of this restriction must be reasonable in terms of time, geographic area, and the specific activities it seeks to prevent. For example, does the noncompete specify the types of clients, industries, or geographic areas that are off-limits? What is the duration of the noncompete? If the client breaches your main agreement, will that render your noncompete void and unenforceable? These are just a few general questions that require a thorough review and analysis against Florida non-compete laws. Overall, the ultimate goal is to carefully review the terms to understand how they might impact your ability to take on new clients. If you don’t understand or are unsure about the contractual terms and their legal implications, it's highly recommended you consult with an attorney who can review the noncompete and provide you with personalized legal advice before you sign.
Employee Rights
Noncompete Agreement
California
i work for a employer from illinois ,however i am in california. My contract has non compete clause. will that be enforceable
My employer has placed me in a position thru another vendor. My employer contract with that vendor is ending. So vendor contacted me. However I am in contract with my employer for 1 year contract.
Christopher M.
Short answer: Probably no, non-compete and non-solicitation clauses are not usually enforceable on an employee in California. Long Answer: Regardless of the choice of law provision in your contract, if an enforcement action is brought against you in California, the California courts will dismiss it as it goes against the "public policy of the state" unless your employer can make a really compelling case. Most states respect the stated public policy of other states when deciding matters against their citizens, so even if the case was brought in another states courts your soon to be former employer would probably be powerless to get a judgement enforcing your non-compete.
Employment
Noncompete Agreement
Delaware
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.
No, at worst, it is a breach of a contract which is a civil matter to be handled in civil court.
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
New York
Noncompete agreement breach consequences?
I recently left my job as an employee at a company that I had worked for for over a year. I was asked to sign a noncompete agreement when I began the job, which I did. I have since started a new job in the same industry as my former employer, which is in violation of the noncompete agreement. I am now wondering what the consequences of this breach of contract may be and am seeking legal advice.
Gregory F.
I would be happy to schedule a paid telephone consultation with you to review the non-compete agreement, advise you on its scope and enforceability, and answer your questions. Please contact me via email at greg@fidlonlegal.com to discuss.
Quick, user friendly and one of the better ways I've come across to get ahold of lawyers willing to take new clients.
View Trustpilot ReviewNeed help with a Noncompete Agreement?
Employment lawyers by top cities
- Austin Employment Lawyers
- Boston Employment Lawyers
- Chicago Employment Lawyers
- Dallas Employment Lawyers
- Denver Employment Lawyers
- Houston Employment Lawyers
- Los Angeles Employment Lawyers
- New York Employment Lawyers
- Phoenix Employment Lawyers
- San Diego Employment Lawyers
- Tampa Employment Lawyers
Pennsylvania Noncompete Agreement lawyers by city
- Allentown Noncompete Agreement Lawyers
- Philadelphia Noncompete Agreement Lawyers
- Pittsburgh Noncompete Agreement Lawyers
ContractsCounsel User
Reviewing PIIAA contact + noncompete
Location: Washington
Turnaround: Over a week
Service: Contract Review
Doc Type: Non-Compete Agreement
Page Count: 13
Number of Bids: 6
Bid Range: $150 - $545
ContractsCounsel User