A recent episode of On Point featured Russell Beck, who was invited to appear as a guest on the nationwide radio program. The episode, titled “Sign Here, And Stay Here,” focused on the proliferation of noncompete agreements across various industries.

The summary of the program, prepared by On Point’s guest host Jessica Yellin, introduced the day’s topic as follows:

Even fast-food workers are signing noncompete clauses and confidentiality agreements. But at what cost?

Low-wage workers, from fast-food to construction, are being asked to sign binding noncompete agreements.

If you’re a high paid executive in a corner suite, you probably signed a contract with a noncompete clause. You might be shocked to know noncompetes are now required of millions of Americans doing low wage work. From sandwich makers. Yoga instructors. Camp counselors. Tying workers to current jobs. Locking them out of raises. This hour On Point, signing away your leverage, even your livelihood.

Russell appeared live in the studio at WBUR in Boston, and was joined by fellow guests Conor Dougherty, a technology correspondent at the New York Times who recently authored a story titled “How Noncompete Clauses Keep Workers Locked In,” and Alan Krueger, a professor of economics at Princeton University, who is the former chairman of President Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers and a member of his cabinet from 2011-2013.

The program originally aired on May 25, 2017, and can be heard in full here.

For up-to-the-minute analysis of legal issues concerning noncompete agreements in Massachusetts and across the United States, read Russell Beck’s blog, Fair Competition Law.

eck Reed Riden LLP is among the leading authorities in trade secret, noncompete, and unfair competition law, and our experience handling these matters is backed by our extensive employment law and business litigation experience. Our hand-picked team combines attorneys with complementary expertise and practical experience.

The Wall Street Journal featured Beck Reed Riden LLP’s noncompete agreement experience. In 2016, the White House issued a report entitled, “Non-Compete Agreements: Analysis of the Usage, Potential Issues, and State Responses,” relying in part on Beck Reed Riden LLP’s research and analysis, including its 50 State Noncompete Survey.

Russell Beck’s work in this area is well recognized; it includes:

  • Over sixteen years of working on trade secret, noncompete, and unfair competition matters

  • Authoring the book Negotiating, Drafting, and Enforcing Noncompetition Agreements and Related Restrictive Covenants (5th ed., MCLE, Inc. 2015), used by other lawyers to help them with their noncompete cases

  • Drafting and advising on legislation for the Massachusetts Legislature to define, codify, and improve noncompetition law

  • Teaching Trade Secrets and Restrictive Covenants at Boston University School of Law

  • Founding and administrating the award-winning blog, Fair Competition Law

  • Establishing and administrating the Noncompete Lawyers and Trade Secret Protection groups on LinkedIn, with over 750 members around the world

  • Founded and chaired the Trade Secret / Noncompete Practice for an AmLaw 100 firm

In addition, Russell was honored for his work in this area of law in the 2016 Chambers USA Guide, which explained that “Russell Beck of Beck Reed Riden LLP is highly praised by peers, who commend his “impeccable credentials,” in the employment arena, and identify him as an “expert in noncompetition and trade secret laws.”

Beck Reed Riden LLP is Boston’s innovative litigation boutique. Our lawyers have years of experience at large law firms, working with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups and individuals. We focus on business litigation and labor and employment. We are experienced litigators and counselors, helping our clients as business partners to resolve issues and develop strategies that best meet our clients’ legal and business needs – before, during, and after litigation. We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and help you. Read more about us, the types of matters we handle, and what we can do for you here.