Last Friday, August 10th, Governor Baker signed into law the “Act relative to the judicial enforcement of noncompetition agreements” (the “Act”). Governor Baker’s signature came 11 days after the Massachusetts Legislature passed the Act.

As Amanda Baer explained in her recent blog post on the topic, the Act limits the ability of private employers to enter into – and ultimately enforce – noncompetition agreements with employees (defined broadly to include independent contractors).

The Act takes effect on October 1, 2018. Because the Act will greatly change the landscape of enforceability of noncompetition agreements in Massachusetts, we strongly encourage employers to review their noncompetition agreements to ensure that any such agreements entered into on or after October 1st comply with the Act.

If you have any questions about the Act or need any assistance reviewing, modifying, and/or drafting noncompetition agreements, as well as any other restrictive covenant agreements such as non-solicitation or nondisclosure agreements, please contact one of Mirick O’Connell’s Labor, Employment & Employee Benefits Group attorneys.