Federal Court Strikes Down the FTC’s Non-Compete Ban

As you may recall, earlier this year we reported that the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) issued a final rule banning non-compete agreements for all workers.  The rule was to take effect on September 4, 2024.  However, on August 20, 2024, a federal court struck down the ban deeming it unlawful. Specifically, in Ryan LLC v. […]

Reminder: New York State Freelance Isn’t Free Act Takes Effect on August 28, 2024

As we previously reported, New York recently enacted the “Freelance Isn’t Free Act,” which provides new protections for freelance workers throughout the state.  As a reminder, the new law takes effect on August 28, 2024, and sets forth certain requirements for employers when retaining the services of a freelance worker.  The key aspects of the […]

New York State Freelance Isn’t Free Act Takes Effect on August 28, 2024

On November 22, 2023, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law the “Freelance Isn’t Free Act,” which provides new protections for freelance workers throughout the state.  The new law takes effect on August 28, 2024, and sets forth certain requirements for employers when retaining the services of a freelance worker.  The key aspects of […]

FTC Issues Final Rule that Bans Most Non-Compete Agreements

On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) issued a final rule approving its proposal to ban non-compete agreements for all workers including independent contractors, externs, interns, volunteers, apprentices, and sole proprietors who provide a service to a person.  Specifically, the rule states that “…it is an unfair method of competition – and therefore […]

New York Governor Hochul Vetoes Bill That Would Ban Non-Compete Agreements

signing a contract

On November 30, 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that she would not be signing proposed legislation that would prohibit employee non-compete agreements in New York. As we previously reported, on June 7, 2023, the New York State Senate passed Bill No. S03100 (the “Bill”), which would amend the New York Labor Law to ban the […]

New York State Senate Passes Bill that Prohibits Non-Compete Agreements

signing document at work

On June 7, 2023, the New York State Senate passed Bill No. S03100 (the “Bill”), which would amend the New York Labor Law to prohibit employee non-compete agreements in New York. Specifically, the language of the bill provides as follows: “No employer or its agent, or the officer or agent of any corporation, partnership, limited […]

NLRB General Counsel Releases Memo Clarifying Confidentiality and Non-Disparagement Clause Decision

man reviewing contract

On March 22, 2023, National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo issued a memorandum clarifying the NLRB’s decision in in McLaren Macomb, 372 NLRB No. 58 (2023), which deemed non-disparagement and confidentiality provisions in severance agreements to be unlawful.  Specifically, the memorandum provides that the decision applies retroactively and therefore, agreements containing unlawful provisions […]

NLRB Determines that Overbroad Confidentiality and Non-Disparagement Provisions in Severance Agreements are Unlawful

signing a contract

On February 21, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) issued a decision holding that an employer violates Section 8(a)(1) of the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”) when it offers a severance agreement containing provisions that would restrict employees’ exercise of their rights under Section 7 of the Act.  In McLaren Macomb, the employer furloughed 11 […]

FTC Issues Proposed Rule That Would Ban Most Non-Compete Agreements

two people reviewing a contract

On January 5, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that would prohibit non-compete agreements between employers and employees.  The full draft of the proposed “Non-Compete Clause Rule” can be found here. Specifically, the proposed rule would provide it is an unfair method of competition for an employer to enter […]

President Biden Enacts Speak Out Act Curtailing the Use of Pre-Dispute Non-Disclosure and Non-Disparagement Clauses Involving Sexual Assault and Harassment Claims

two women discussing document on computer screen

On December 7, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Speak Out Act, which prevents courts from enforcing certain non-disclosure and non-disparagement clauses related to claims of sexual assault or harassment. The new law was effective immediately. Specifically, the Act bars the enforcement of non-disclosure and non-disparagement clauses with respect to a sexual assault or […]

New York State Legislature Passes Freelance Isn’t Free Act

man working from home with spreadsheets

The New York State Legislature recently passed the Freelance Isn’t Free Act (the “Act”).  If signed into law, the Act, which mirrors New York City’s Freelance Isn’t Free Act, would provide protections to freelance workers/independent contractors. Specifically, the Act would amend the New York Labor Law to establish protections for covered freelance workers, including the […]

Improving the Health of Your Business

Sima was a part of an expert panel to discuss critical legal issues all business owners need to know in 2022. Are your organizational documents, contracts, and company policies current? Is your brand protected? Do you have proper hiring, on-boarding and terminating procedures? Is your employee handbook current? Do you need one? Watch the video […]