The parties executed non-compete and confidentiality agreements on August 23, 2004. Ms. Rogers did not like how the salon was being run by the company’s management and voluntarily terminated her employment in order to work at a new hair salon that was located a mere one-half mile away. Ms. Rogers additionally removed a rolodex containing Kim’s Hair Studio’s client information and began to contact them to solicit their business. Kim’s Hair Studio sued Ms. Rogers and requested that the court enforce the non-compete and confidentiality agreements.
The Court’s Decision
The court granted the request for an injunction and ordered the enforcement of the agreements’ provisions. It concluded that the restrictions were reasonable in scope and that Ms. Rogers’ action had amounted to a breach of the covenant between the two parties. Kim’s Hair Studio had legitimate interests in executing non-compete agreements with its employees because its goodwill and client clients were essential assets that Kim’s Hair Studio invested resources in to acquire and maintain. The restrictive covenants were designed to prevent the loss or infringement of these assets and ensure that Kim’s Hair Studio was not negatively affected due to an employee’s termination, whether voluntary or involuntary in nature.
The court reasoned that a party is entitled to an injunction restraining further breach of a restrictive covenant when it demonstrates that the other party has or is very likely to breach the agreement. Additionally, the court noted Connecticut courts’ willingness to enforce a non-compete agreement when it is made in connection with the sale of a company and its goodwill. These legal principles, in conjunction with reasonable and limited restrictions, allowed the court to conclude that the non-compete agreement between Ms. Rogers and Kim’s Hair Studio was valid and enforceable under Connecticut law.
Maya Murphy P.C. has proudly been included in the 2024 Edition of Best Law Firms®, ranked among the top firms in the nation. In addition, Managing Partner Joseph C. Maya has been selected to The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 for his work in Employment Law and Education Law in Connecticut. Recognition in Best Lawyers® is awarded to firms and attorneys who demonstrate excellence in the industry, and is widely regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor.
Our firm in Westport, Connecticut serves clients with legal assistance all over the state, including the towns of: Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Bethel, Branford, Bridgeport, Brookfield, Cheshire, Danbury, Darien, Derby, East Haven, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Meriden, Middlebury, Milford, Monroe, Naugatuck, New Canaan, New Fairfield, New Haven, Newton, North Branford, North Haven, Norwalk, Orange, Oxford, Prospect, Redding, Ridgefield, Seymour, Shelton, Sherman, Southbury, Stamford, Stratford, Trumbull, Wallingford, Waterbury, West Haven, Weston, Westport, Wilton, and Woodbridge. In addition to assisting clients in Connecticut, our firm handles education law and employment law matters in New York as well.
If you have any questions about employment law or education law in Connecticut, or would like to speak to an attorney about a legal matter, please contact Joseph C. Maya and the other experienced attorneys at Maya Murphy, P.C. at (203) 221-3100 or JMaya@Mayalaw.com to schedule a free initial consultation today.
