Law360 settles state AG probe, will stop requiring new editorial hires to sign noncompete agreements
Law360 has settled a New York state attorney general probe by agreeing not to require new editorial hires to sign noncompete agreements.
The online legal publisher, which is part of LexisNexis Group, said it “voluntarily collaborated with the New York attorney general’s office and reached a mutual agreement regarding the best possible outcome” for its workers, reports the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.).
The settlement includes no admission of liability by Law360. However, in addition to promising not to impose noncompete pacts on new workers, the publisher will notify both current employees and those who have left within the last year that it will not enforce the agreements they signed. The agreements used by Law360 typically include a one-year ban on working for a “direct competitor” after leaving Law360’s employ, the newspaper explains.
“Unless an individual has highly unique skills or access to trade secrets, noncompete clauses have no place in a worker’s employment contract,” said AG Eric Schneiderman.
