Practice owners are often concerned about how to best protect their patient base when an associate leaves the practice. There are two methods of preventing this type of devastation to a practice, which are: (1) non-compete agreements and (2) trade secret agreements. Both of these types of agreements should be incorporated into an associate’s employment agreement.
Non-Compete Agreements
A non-compete agreement allows the owner of a practice to limit a former associate from starting his or her own practice as well as prohibit an associate from working for a competitor. The owner of a practice should always consult with their attorney before entering into any type of non-compete agreement.
Trade Secrets
A trade secrets provision in an associate’s employment contract will also help protect confidential information of a practice. A trade secrets provision should provide that all patients and their confidential information are trade secrets of the practice, and sanctions will be enforced against any associate or employee who attempts to use this confidential information for their own personal gain.
The owners of a practice must be familiar with non-compete and trade secrets agreements. All associates should be required to sign a non-compete and a trade secrets agreement at the beginning of their employment.
Without a proper non-compete and trade secrets agreement, either prepared separately or incorporated into an associate’s contract, the owner of a practice has substantial financial risk.
Author(s)
Stuart J. Oberman, Esq.
Stuart J. Oberman is the founder and President of Oberman Law Firm. Mr. Oberman graduated from Urbana University and received his law degree from John Marshall Law School. Mr. Oberman has been practicing law for over 30 years, and before going into private practice, Mr. Oberman was in-house counsel for a Fortune 500 Company.
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