Many employers use and view restrictive covenants as a tool to retain employees, keep ex-employees from competing, and protect trade secrets and confidential information. However, courts often strike-down non-compete agreements and other types of restrictive covenants for a variety of reasons, often expecting non-competes to be limited in duration and geographic scope. But what does geographic scope mean in an industry like transportation? And does restricting where and how your former employees can work really serve your business? Finally, can anything be done to restrict the actions of independent contractors who may come into confidential and valuable business knowledge during the course of their work, even though they aren't employees? Attend this session to:
Analyze a survey on the enforceability of various restrictive covenant-type agreements throughout the country, and how they vary by state and region
Gain an overview of the fundamental policies behind what seems to be an increasing reluctance to enforce these types of agreements
Hear best practices when developing these types of agreements, including different handling for different roles within an organization
Learn how to handle being on the "other side" of a restrictive covenant, either as a departing employee or a prospective new employer
Learn ways to protect your competitive edge and enforce intellectual property rights with or without an agreement
MEET THE SPEAKERS
Elle Slattery
Associate Attorney Taylor Johnson PL
Elle Slattery
Associate Attorney Taylor Johnson PL
Elle comes to the firm from the United States Department of Commerce, where she served as a litigator and special adviser in the Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Employment, Litigation, and Information. There, she specialized in defending the work-product and privileged communications of the Executive Office of the Secretary and represented the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Freedom of Information Act litigation. She is well-versed in federal regulatory procedure.
Elle received dual Bachelor’s Degrees from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana; her under-graduate thesis work was on Secular and Vernacular Theatrical Performance in Medieval France. She holds a J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. where she was a Constitutional Law Fellow and focused on Administrative, Aviation, and Maritime Law. Elle’s main Pro Bono projects have been on Tribal Litigation and Native Constitutional Rights.
Prior to her legal career, Elle worked as a restaurant manager and bartender and food and wine re-main major passions. She loves distance running and traveling with her husband and two daughters.
Kristen Johnson
Partner Taylor Johnson PL
Kristen Johnson
Partner Taylor Johnson PL
Kristen M.J. Johnson is a partner at the transportation law firm of Taylor Johnson PL, heading up the firm’s litigation group. In 2020, Kristen was the only private practice attorney selected as a Top Woman to Watch in Transportation by the Women In Trucking Association. She practices a full range of business litigation and arbitration, including freight claims, contract and tort disputes, appeals, and government investigations. She advises clients on risk management, case and witness preparation, regulatory response, compliance programs, and critical strategy. Kristen was a Fulbright Scholar, and she is a thought leader, active in her industry and community. She is a member of Women in Trucking, the Transportation Lawyers Association, and the Conference of Freight Counsel. When she is not practicing law, she advocates for children and those in need.
