Washington’s ban on noncompetes (Chapter 149, Laws of 2026) does not leave employers with nothing. It preserves a short, narrowly drawn set of protections. The catch is that each one is defined tightly, and the statute tells courts to construe these exceptions narrowly. Here is what survives after June 30, 2027—and where the traps are…. Read More
Posts Categorized In: General Compliance Counseling
General Compliance Counseling: The Smart Way to Stay Ahead and Out of Trouble
Stay Ahead of Regulations and Mitigate Risk—Without Losing Sleep Running a business is exciting—but it can also feel like you’re constantly dodging landmines. Employment laws change. Industry regulations evolve. One misstep, and you could find yourself facing penalties, lawsuits, or even a knock on the door from a regulator. That’s why general compliance counseling isn’t… Read More
The Noncompete Notice Cliff – Don’t Fall October 1, 2027
Washington’s non-compete ban comes with an affirmative duty most employers have not yet put on the calendar. It is not enough to stop enforcing noncompetes—by a fixed date, employers must proactively tell affected workers that their covenants are dead. The requirement The enacted law, amending chapter 49.62 RCW, provides that by October 1, 2027, an… Read More
Washington Just Voided Almost Every Noncompete Agreement
Washington has taken its 2019 restrictions on noncompetes to their logical conclusion: a near-total ban. Under ESHB 1155 (Chapter 149, Laws of 2026), signed March 23, 2026 and effective June 30, 2027, virtually every noncompetition covenant with a Washington worker becomes void and unenforceable. This is one of the most significant changes to Washington employment… Read More
Noncompetes Were Already Getting Harder to Enforce: David v. Freedom Vans
Washington’s 2026 ban on noncompetes did not come out of nowhere. Even before it passed, Washington courts and the 2019 noncompete statute were steadily narrowing what employers could enforce. The Washington Supreme Court’s 2025 decision in David v. Freedom Vans, 4 Wash.3d 242 (2025) (En Banc) is a useful marker of that trend—and a preview… Read More