FTC noncompete ban: A vet's perspectiveJuly 30, 2024Veterinarians can now freely transition between employers or start their own practices without the fear of legal repercussions. This change opens a range of career opportunities, including full-time roles, part-time engagements, and gig work.
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Restrictive covenant: Mobile veterinarians and their vehiclesNovember 7, 2017 Like most domesticated animals, Maine coon cats require periodic care and treatment from a veterinarian. For my first Maine coon cat, I drove to the veterinarian's office, which was a stand-alone fixed brick-and-mortar location. However, for my second cat, my veterinarian brought her office to me in a vet mobile, a full-service veterinary hospital on wheels. This type of moving mobile practice can present some challenges when trying to construct and enforce reasonable and enforceable geographic restrictions for a noncompete or a nonsolicit. Wherever I may roam In Heiderich v. Florida Equine Veterinary Services Inc. (2012), an equine veterinarian entered into a one-year employment agreement that included a two-year post-termination noncompete. Dr. Heiderich was prohibited from owning, managing, being employed by, assisting, participating in, or having any material interest in any business or profession engaged in a general equine veterinary practice, located within a 30-mile radius of her former employer's place of business (a fixed, brick-and-mortar location). Heiderich resigned, opened her own office outside the 30-mile radius, but traveled to treat horses located within the 30-mile radius. The trial court issued a temporary injunction against her. It found that her office outside the 30-mile radius was of "no …
