Multistate Noncompetes and Nonsolicitation Agreements: Preparing for 2027

Overview

Your company may have noncompete agreements signed years ago that it can no longer enforce in 2027. Replacing those restrictions with nonsolicitation clauses may not solve the problem either. With important state-law changes approaching, employers need to know which agreements remain usable, which require revision, and what steps must be taken before an employee leaves for a competitor.

The changes are significant. Beginning January 1, 2027, Illinois increases its earnings thresholds to more than $80,000 for noncompetes and $47,500 for nonsolicitation agreements. Washington goes further on June 30, 2027, when covered noncompetes become void regardless of when they were signed, followed by an October notification requirement for certain current and former workers. New York's December 19, 2026 restrictions on employment-related repayment agreements add another consideration for employers using training repayment, signing-bonus and retention arrangements.

For companies operating across multiple states, these developments raise immediate questions. Can an agreement signed in one state still be enforced after an employee relocates? Does a customer nonsolicitation clause prohibit accepting business from a customer who makes the first contact? What happens when an employee is laid off rather than resigning? Can an employer protect its customer relationships and confidential information without relying on a traditional noncompete? Getting these decisions wrong can leave businesses with unenforceable agreements, unnecessary disputes and exposure when attempting to enforce restrictions.

This 120-minute webinar examines the federal and state requirements governing noncompete, customer non-solicitation and employee non-solicitation agreements, with particular attention to Washington, Illinois, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Virginia and Florida. Attendees will learn how to evaluate existing agreements, determine which state requirements apply, assess employee eligibility, meet notice and consideration requirements, and address restrictions during hiring, promotions, relocations and terminations.

Through practical employer scenarios, sample-agreement reviews and explained compliance checklists, the session will demonstrate how to identify problematic language, distinguish permissible protections from overly broad restrictions, respond to suspected violations and prioritize agreements requiring attention before 2027.

The goal is to help employers review their agreements and procedures before they need to rely on them—while identifying practical ways to protect confidential information, customer relationships and legitimate business interests.

Areas Covered

• Current federal enforcement developments and significant state noncompete changes for 2027
• Washington's noncompete prohibition, notification requirements and Illinois's new earnings thresholds
• Key enforceability differences across Washington, Illinois, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Virginia and Florida
• Noncompete, customer nonsolicitation, employee nonsolicitation and confidentiality agreements
• Employee eligibility, compensation thresholds, occupational exceptions and restricted worker categories
• Notice periods, consideration, agreement execution and documentation requirements
• Reviewing existing agreements and determining when revisions or employee notifications are necessary
• Evaluating restrictions on competition, customer relationships, duration and geographic scope
• Remote employees, interstate relocations, choice-of-law provisions and multistate enforcement concerns
• Customer-initiated contact, employee recruitment, no-hire restrictions and general advertising
• Training repayment, forfeiture, signing-bonus and other employment-related financial restrictions
• Hiring employees from competitors and protecting confidential information and trade secrets
• Promotions, compensation changes, resignations, layoffs and terminations affecting restrictive agreements
• Responding to suspected breaches, preserving evidence and avoiding improper enforcement actions
• Reviewing sample clauses and employer scenarios to identify problematic restrictions and appropriate responses
• Conducting an agreement audit and establishing practical compliance priorities for 2027

Why Should You Attend?

With significant changes to noncompete and nonsolicitation laws taking effect in 2027, employers need to review their existing agreements before new restrictions are issued or enforcement becomes necessary. This webinar will help you understand which agreements may require revision, how state-specific requirements affect enforceability, and what steps should be taken to prepare for upcoming deadlines.

Managing restrictive agreements across multiple states creates challenges when employees relocate, join competitors, or leave with established customer relationships. You will learn how to evaluate these situations, recognize problematic contract provisions, and make informed decisions about hiring, employee departures, and protecting legitimate business interests.

Through practical scenarios and sample-agreement reviews, you will gain a clearer understanding of the documentation, compliance checks, and enforcement considerations that matter most. The session will help you identify potential gaps in your current agreements, avoid costly disputes, and develop a practical approach to managing restrictive covenants in 2027.

Who Will Benefit?

This webinar is designed for professionals responsible for developing, reviewing, administering, and enforcing employee restrictive agreements across multiple states. It is particularly relevant to those involved in hiring, employee mobility, contract compliance, and separation decisions; those include:

• HR Directors and Managers
• Employment Law Attorneys
• In-House Legal Counsel
• HR Compliance Managers
• Employee Relations Managers
• Talent Acquisition Directors and Managers
• HR Business Partners (HRBPs)
• Compensation and Benefits Managers
• Contract Administration Managers
• Business Owners and Operations Executives