Illustrative scenario: California Non-Compete Agreement - Is It Enforceable? Employer Threatening Me

Employer threatening to sue over non-compete - I thought these weren't enforceable in California?

I publish illustrative scenarios prepared by my practice. All participants and conversations are fictional. The fictional posts are not posts by real users, accounts of client experiences, or reports of actual results.

Illustrative scenario prepared by my practice.

For informational purposes only. This is not legal advice. Employment law situations require individual assessment.

Hypothetical question

I'm freaking out. I just accepted a job at a competitor and gave my two weeks notice. Today I got a letter from my current employer's lawyer saying I signed a non-compete and they'll sue me if I join the competitor.

I work in tech in San Francisco. I thought California banned non-competes? But their letter cites a bunch of legal stuff and says I agreed to be bound by Texas law (company HQ is in Austin) sadly.

The non-compete says I can't work for any competitor for 2 years after leaving. That would basically end my career in this field. What do I do?

Employer threatening to sue over non-compete - I thought these weren't enforceable in California?

Related Resources