At Cantrell Astbury Kranz, P.A., our primary focus is on non-compete matters in Michigan, including in Wayne County, Oakland County, and Macomb County, Michigan.  That primary focus also extends to non-solicitation, non-disclosure, and trade secret matters. We counsel and represent employees and, in certain circumstances, businesses in these disputes. 

Usually, these matters are pled as breach of contract claims but also may include allegations of trade secret misappropriation, tortious interference with business or contractual relationships, defamation, and civil conspiracy. For a free consultation regarding your non-compete matter, contact us at 877-858-6868 or coordinator@caklegal.com.

Non-Compete, Non-Solicit, and Non-Disclosure Representation in the Metro Detroit Area and Throughout Michigan.

At Cantrell Astbury Kranz, P.A., we care deeply about fair business competition.  We primarily represent employees and entrepreneurs.  We refuse to represent large companies who weaponize non-competes to unjustly prevent new businesses from competing and former employees from working and supporting their families.  In fact, the only time we represent large companies in non-compete lawsuits is in connection with a non-compete defense against another company seeking to enforce a non-compete agreement.

Examples of Individual Representation.

We represent professionals, sales representatives, executives, physicians, and entrepreneurs in restrictive covenant matters (the legal name for non-compete, non-solicit, and non-disclosure agreements).  Here are some examples of matters where we represent individuals.

• Do you want to know whether your non-compete is enforceable?  We regularly counsel individuals regarding the enforceability of restrictive covenants in Michigan. We will give you a detailed legal opinion regarding your rights and obligations under the restrictive covenant.  We will also provide you with practical advice about the possible repercussions of violating a restrictive covenant and way to reduce your legal exposure.
• Are you considering changing jobs or starting your own company, but you’re unsure if you can under your non-compete, non-solicit, or non-disclosure agreement? We counsel individuals considering a job change or considering starting their own business.  We work with you to minimize the chances you get sued by a prior employer by making simple modifications to your plans.   
• Has your former employer sent a cease-and-desist letter threatening you with a lawsuit?  We respond to these cease-and-desist letters and often successfully ward off litigation. There is no substitute for a detailed and timely response from an experienced Michigan non-compete lawyer.  This sends a clear message to your former employer that you will not go down without a fight.
• Has your former employer filed suit against you for violating a non-compete, non-solicit, or non-disclosure agreement?  We defend individuals whom their former employer sues to enforce a restrictive covenant.  We serve individuals throughout Michigan, including Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and the surrounding areas.

Examples of Start-Up Representation.

We also start-up businesses and, on the non-compete defense side, all businesses.  Here are some examples:

• Do you need an attorney to draft a non-compete, non-solicit, or non-disclosure agreement? We regularly draft employment agreements, compensation agreements, independent contractor agreements, executive compensation agreements, and restrictive covenants. We use our deep experience to draft an enforceable and fair agreement. 
• Worried about protecting your confidential or “trade secret” business information? We work with businesses to protect the information they’ve spent considerable time and money developing.  Certain safeguards must be taken to ensure that information meets the legal definition of a “trade secret.” 
• Are you concerned that an employee or former employee is harming your business by violating their non-compete, non-solicit, or non-disclosure agreement?  We help businesses assess the enforceability of non-competes (against business owners), non-solicits, non-disclosures, and other contractual terms.  We also provide a detailed opinion about your legal options to ensure compliance with these restrictive covenants.
• Considering hiring a new employee who signed a non-compete with their former employer?  We help businesses vet potential new hires with non-compete agreement and other restrictive covenant concerns.  Beware, employers who knowingly hire employees who signed restrictive covenants with a former employer often get dragged into any lawsuit filed against that employee to enforce those agreements. After that suit is filed, they may need to spend five or six figures in attorney’s fees defending that lawsuit.  Getting a legal opinion before you take action that could lead to your company being sued is far better.
• Have you been sued by one of your employee’s former employers?  As discussed above, your business is often sued along with your employee who is allegedly violating their non-compete, non-solicit, or non-disclosure agreement.  We frequently serve as defense counsel for start-ups and other businesses in non-compete lawsuits.  Often, these lawsuits will include claims for breach of contract, tortious inference, misappropriation of trade secrets, civil conspiracy, and/or defamation.

To speak with one of our Michigan non-compete lawyers, contact us at 877-858-6868 or coordinator@caklegal.com.

What to Look for in a Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb County Non-Compete Attorney

When looking for Michigan non-compete lawyer, you should compare the background of the lawyers you are considering. Consider their subject matter experience, educational background, references, past results, and fees.

At Cantrell Astbury Kranz, P.A., we will gladly share references from clients who have hired us for non-compete counseling or lawsuit representation in the past.  Our attorneys are not only specialists in non-compete law, they are leaders in the field. Our non-compete lawyers regularly give seminars to other professionals, including other attorneys, on non-compete law. Most of our lawyers have also obtained to Best Lawyers  status (a peer-reviewed rating) and Super Lawyers status (a peer-reviewed rating).

To speak with one of our attorneys, contact us at 877-858-6868 or coordinator@caklegal.com

FAQs and Non-Compete Educational Materials

If you have general questions about non-compete or non-solicit law in Michigan, see our FAQ regarding non-compete and non-solicit agreements in Michigan.

If you’ve been sued by your former employer, see our FAQ regarding non-compete lawsuits in Michigan.

If you have questions about trade secret lawsuits in Michigan, see our FAQ regarding trade secret lawsuits in Michigan.

Detroit, Michigan

The Metro-Detroit area has a population of 4.3 million, the second largest in the Midwest after the Metro-Chicago area.  Detroit is the largest U.S. city on the Canada-US border.  In 2022, Time Magazine named Detroit one of the fifty World’s Greatest Places of 2022. Detroit has state courts and a federal court, which is part of the U.S. Districts in the Eastern District of Michigan.

Cantrell Astbury Kranz, P.A. handles non-compete, employment, and business disputes throughout Michigan,  including Detroit, Ann Arbor, Canton, Brighton, Howell, Saline, Adrian, Taylor, Plymouth, Northville, Westland, Ypsilanti, Pittsfield Township, Warren, Sterling Heights, Farmington, Pontiac, Romulus, Lansing, Novi, South Lyon, Southfield, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield, Royal Oak, Troy, Rochester, Jackson, East Lansing, Garden City, Livonia, Dearborn, St Clair Shores, Hazel Park, Ferndale, Madison Heights, Waterford, Milford, Shelby Township, Clarkston, Oak Park, Berkley, Fraser, Sterling Heights, Flint, Clinton Township, Auburn Hills, Washtenaw County, Wayne County, Monroe County, Macomb County, Livingston County, Oakland County.

To speak with one of our attorneys, contact us at 877-858-6868 or coordinator@caklegal.com