Trade Secrets & Employee Mobility

Virginia is poised to impose new limitations on the circumstances in which employers may restrict employees from working for a competitor or engaging in other competing business activities. As we reported in 2020, the Commonwealth first prohibited noncompete agreements for “low-wage” workers. Then as we reported in 2025, Virginia expanded those restrictions to prohibit noncompetes with employees who are entitled to overtime pay under the FLSA for any hours worked in excess of 40 hours in any one workweek (“non-exempt employees”).

Thomson Reuters Practical Law has released the 2026 update to “Preparing for Non-Compete Litigation,” co-authored by Peter A. Steinmeyer.

The Note describes the steps an employer can take to prepare to successfully litigate a non-compete action, the primary options for enforcing a non-compete agreement, and the strategic decisions involved with each option. It discusses gathering evidence, assessing the enforceability of a non-compete, considerations before initiating legal action, cease and desist letters, seeking declaratory judgments, damages, and injunctive relief, and potential remedies available under the Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA). This Note is jurisdiction neutral.

Thomson Reuters Practical Law has released the 2025 update to “Preparing for Non-Compete Litigation,” co-authored by Peter A. Steinmeyer.

The Note describes the steps an employer can take to prepare to successfully litigate a non-compete action, the primary options for enforcing a non-compete agreement, and the strategic decisions involved with each option. It discusses gathering evidence, assessing the enforceability of a non-compete, considerations before initiating legal action, cease and desist letters, seeking declaratory judgments, damages, and injunctive relief, and potential remedies available under the Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA). This Note is jurisdiction neutral.

Thomson Reuters Practical Law has released the 2024 update to “Preparing for Non-Compete Litigation,” co-authored by Peter A. Steinmeyer.

The Note describes the steps an employer can take to prepare to successfully litigate a non-compete action, the primary options for enforcing a non-compete agreement, and the strategic decisions involved with each option. It discusses gathering evidence, assessing the enforceability of a non-compete, considerations before initiating legal action, cease and desist letters, seeking declaratory judgments, damages, and ...