Severance & Non-Compete Agreements Attorney in Columbus, Ohio

Ensuring that Severance and Noncompete Agreements Are in Your Best Interests

When it is time for you to separate from your employer, you may be presented with a number of documents to sign. This often will include a severance agreement and/or a non-compete agreement. To ensure that these agreements are not too restrictive and preserve your best interests, you should enlist the assistance of an experienced lawyer before you sign anything.

Having handled a wide variety of employment law matters for over 20 years, we at DeWitt Law, LLC, are trusted advocates in cases involving severance and non-compete agreements. Based in Columbus, we work with clients in the surrounding areas and take the time to thoroughly read over every agreement to determine how each will impact your life going forward.

What to Know About Severance Agreements

Ohio is an at-will employment state, and employment contracts are not common, meaning most employees can be terminated at any time for any legal reason. Severance agreements are not required in any of these situations, and there are no specific terms that must be outlined in such an agreement.

If you are presented with a severance agreement when you are separating from a company, you are allowed to have your attorney review it before signing anything. While a severance agreement can include compensation and benefits that may be provided, there may also be clauses included that involve confidentiality, the waving of the right to sue, and more.

Your Rights Concerning Noncompete Agreements

A non-compete agreement is often a clause in a severance agreement, or an employee is presented with one when they are leaving the company. This agreement prevents the employee from working for a competing employer for a set amount of time. If the non-compete is too restrictive or too broad, it can be difficult to obtain a new job in the field in which you are qualified.

We do not let employers take liberties with how the document can be interpreted, working on your behalf to make sure that the agreement is fair and that your employer is not taking advantage of you.

Before You Sign, Consult with Us

To further discuss the agreements that you are being asked to sign, call our office or send us an email. We offer a free case evaluation.