Business Law Non-Competes

How long can a non-compete last in Florida? To determine whether a non-compete/non-solicitation agreement is reasonable in time, Florida courts are guided by section 542.335, Fla. Stat.  Specifically, Florida law sets outside parameters for reasonableness with respect to four separate categories of covenants:  

(1) Covenants restricting former employees, agents, and independent contractors;

(2) Covenants restricting former distributors, dealers, franchisees, or licensees of a trademark or service mark;

(3) Covenants incident to the sale of a business; and (4) post-term covenants predicated upon the protection of trade secrets.