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Andrea Cooper, JD

JAMA. 1982;248(23):3091-3092.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

Restrictive covenants limit the right of an employee or associate to compete with a former employer after termination of their business or professional relationship. This article will discuss recent case law on restrictive covenants in employment contracts and partnership agreements involving physicians.

The Judicial Council of the American Medical Association discourages restrictive agreements as not in the public interest (Current Opinions of the Judicial Council of the American Medical Association, 1982, opinion 9.01). This opinion is only a guide to professional behavior. The courts have upheld such agreements in appropriate circumstances, however.

Several states have enacted legislation invalidating restrictive covenants or severely restricting their application. Such covenants are enforced, however, in most states if the restrictions on competition are reasonable as to geographic area and time limits. Generally, the restraint must be no greater than necessary to protect a legitimate interest of the party to whom the promise not to . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

Author Affiliations
From the Office of the General Counsel, American Medical Association. For further information and reprints, write to Office of the General Counsel, American Medical Association, 535 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60610.

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