Protect What Matters YOUR Family Freedom Business Legacy Reputation

The Attorneys at Marcellino Moore, PLLC have been awarded Super Lawyers®, which includes less than 2.5% of the nation's top attorneys!

Non-Compete Agreement Lawyers in Charlotte

Business-Focused Contract Guidance from a Firm Founded in 2011

A non-compete agreement can shape a hiring decision, career move, business transaction, or dispute. We advise Charlotte employers, business owners, executives, professionals, and contractors on drafting, reviewing, revising, negotiating, and challenging these restrictions.

At Marcellino Moore, PLLC, we draw on our business law, employment law, contract, corporate counsel, and civil litigation capabilities to evaluate restrictions before they are signed and respond when disagreements develop.

Founded in 2011, our firm provides practical guidance to businesses and individuals facing consequential professional decisions. We’re recognized by Super Lawyers®, a designation achieved by less than 5 percent of attorneys nationwide, and we advocate for clients in and out of the courtroom.

Call (980) 427-3401 or reach out online to discuss your Charlotte non-compete agreement with our attorneys.

Drafting, Reviewing, & Disputing Non-Compete Agreements

The practical effect of a restriction often turns on precise wording. We examine how each provision fits within the broader employment agreement, compensation arrangement, ownership relationship, or proposed business transaction.

Our non-compete agreement services include:

Drafting and revision: We prepare and revise provisions addressing restricted activities, duration, geographic scope, covered customers, valuable consideration, and related contractual obligations.
Pre-signing review: We explain proposed terms so employers, executives, professionals, and contractors can understand their practical effect before signing.
Contract negotiation: We identify disputed language and assist with negotiations over the restriction’s scope, duration, territory, and application.
Breach and enforcement disputes: We represent employers seeking enforcement and individuals challenging an agreement’s meaning, scope, or application.

Our civil litigation experience includes contractual and business ownership disputes. For example, we’ve represented a part-owner in a dispute involving an attempted termination and the sale of company shares. That experience informs how we assess the business records, communications, contracts, and competing objectives involved when professional relationships break down.

Continue Reading Read Less

Our Client Testimonials

Behind Every Case is a Real Person and a Real Story

“Jennifer Moore, Alexis Gadzinski and their team were stellar in supporting me.”
“They were great to work with and achieved all of my goals. I highly recommend Jennifer and Alexis to represent you.”

- Richard R.
“Kay Bolaños and her team did an outstanding job.”
“Her legal advice and expectations were honest and accurate from beginning to end. The way Kay handled the case was on point. I am happy with the trust I placed in her.”

- Antonio A.
“It was a pleasure working with Kay and Katie.”
“The team at Marcellino & Moore (Kay Bolanos & Katie Glenney) handled my family matters in a very professional and efficient way. My situation was a bit unique, and they spent time researching and brainstorming potential outcomes.”

- Elena
“Will definitely use their representation again.”
“Their communication is top notch as well as their support which is the most important aspect in my opinion.”

- Former Client
“Matt, thanks for all the hard work, and more importantly, your compassion and real world knowledge.”
“I cannot say enough about the firm's pragmatism, understanding of the NC law process, and their level of communication.”

- William M.
“I HIGHLY recommend this law firm.”
“5 stars aren’t enough to rate my experience with this law firm. Attorney Clay Campbell exceeded my expectations. I just sat back and listened to him annihilate the opposing counsel. It was quite comical.”

- Monica H.
“I had the privilege of being represented by Clay Campbell and his exceptional team.”
“Their knowledge of the law is unmatched, and they navigated my case with precision and expertise. The entire team demonstrated outstanding communication, always keeping me informed and at ease throughout the process.”

- Former Client
“Her professionalism and commitment to my needs were evident from the start.”
“Jennifer was straightforward and transparent, giving me confidence in her abilities. The team was responsive and ensured my interests were always a priority. I'm grateful for their help, which has allowed me to move forward positively.”

- Zoraida G.

Settlements & Judgments

Our Case Results

Business Law
Contracts Protect Business from Former Employee. Attorney Matt Marcellino represented a business that faced a significant threat when a former employee attempted to use company assets and property in a manner that could harm the company.
Business Law
Executive and Shareholder Takes Control of Company After Attempted Termination. Attorney Matt Marcellino represented a part-owner of a company who learned that some of the other owners intended to terminate his employment and force the sale of his shares.
Business Acquisition
Attorney Matt Marcellino represented a business whose long-term goal was to position itself for acquisition by a larger competitor. Over the course of two years, Marcellino worked closely with the owners to navigate the legal and strategic issues necessary to prepare the company for a successful transaction.

View More Results

Meet Our Team

Protecting What Matters Most

Learn More About Us

How North Carolina Courts Assess Non-Compete Agreements

Enforceability under North Carolina law depends on the agreement’s language, how and when it was signed, the parties’ relationship, and the circumstances surrounding enforcement. Courts generally consider several connected factors rather than treating every restriction alike.

Important considerations may include:

Written agreement: A court may examine whether the restriction was put in writing and properly executed.
Valuable consideration: Consideration is something of legal value exchanged for a contractual promise. Whether it is sufficient can depend on when and why the agreement was signed.
Legitimate business interest: The restriction generally must relate to a valid interest, such as customer relationships, confidential information, or another protectable business concern.
Reasonable limits: The analysis may consider the duration, geographic reach, prohibited work, and people or customers covered.
Public policy: Putting a restriction in writing doesn’t make an otherwise unlawful agreement enforceable.

North Carolina restrictive-covenant law is fact-sensitive and can change. We assess current law alongside the contract and its business context, not the provision’s label alone.

Other Restrictive Covenants & Business Protections

A non-compete provision may appear alongside narrower restrictions involving customers, workers, business information, or intellectual property. We review how these terms interact and whether their combined scope creates concerns for the employer or the person being asked to sign.

Related provisions may include:

Non-solicitation agreements: These provisions may restrict contact with former customers, clients, referral sources, or other business relationships.
Confidentiality agreements: These terms may address the use or disclosure of confidential business information.
Non-disclosure agreements: These provisions identify information that a party agrees not to disclose to others.
Trade-secret protections: Under North Carolina law, a trade secret is business information that derives value from not being generally known or readily ascertainable.
No-recruit provisions: These terms may address efforts to hire or solicit former coworkers.

The appropriate combination depends on the business interest, the person’s role, and the underlying relationship. We address these provisions within employment agreements, contracts, and broader business-protection planning.

Continue Reading Read Less

Real Talk, Legal Insights, and Stories That Matter

Tune In To Our Podcast

When to Request a Non-Compete Agreement Review

Review the terms before signing a contract, planning a professional transition, or responding to an alleged breach. Early review can clarify which activities are restricted, how the provisions may affect a decision, and where the parties disagree.

Consider speaking with us when:

You’re preparing an employment agreement or revising existing terms.
You’ve been asked to sign a restriction before accepting a position, promotion, compensation change, or ownership opportunity.
You’re considering joining a competitor, starting a business, or contacting former customers.
An employee, executive, contractor, or business partner is departing.
You’ve received a demand letter, lawsuit, or request for an injunction, which is a court order requiring or prohibiting specified conduct.
A business sale or ownership change includes post-closing restrictions.

What to Bring to Your Non-Compete Consultation

A productive review begins with the complete agreement and the facts surrounding it. Our attorneys and dedicated staff prepare carefully, identify disputed language, and connect the contract terms to your business or professional objectives.

Helpful materials may include:

The signed agreement, offer letter, amendments, and related employment documents.
Compensation records or documents describing what was provided in exchange for the restriction.
Separation paperwork and communications concerning departure or termination.
Relevant customer, territory, job-duty, and business-activity information.
Demand letters, correspondence, complaints, motions, or other court documents.

Depending on the facts, the next step may involve clarification, negotiation, contract revision, a response to an alleged breach, mediation, or litigation. We explain the available paths without assuming every disagreement belongs in court.

Get Clear Guidance on Your Non-Compete Agreement

Bring us the agreement and the business context behind it. We can identify the provisions that matter, explain the legal and practical questions, and discuss your options in or out of the courtroom. Virtual consultations are available.

Call (980) 427-3401 to schedule a consultation with the Charlotte non-compete agreement attorneys at Marcellino Moore, PLLC.

Continue Reading Read Less

Reach Out To Us

Let's Navigate This Together

First Name
Please enter your first name.
Last Name
Please enter your last name.
Phone
Please enter your phone number.

This isn't a valid phone number.
Email
Please enter your email address.

This isn't a valid email address.
Are you a new client?
Please make a selection.
How can we help you?
Please enter a message.
By submitting, you agree to receive text messages from Marcellino Moore, PLLC at the number provided, including those related to your inquiry, follow-ups, and review requests, via automated technology. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency may vary. Reply STOP to cancel or HELP for assistance. Acceptable Use Policy