On January 11, 2020, Muriel Bowser signed the Ban on Non-Compete Agreements Amendment Act of 2020 (the “Act”) into law, moving the District one step closer to implementing one of the broadest, if not the broadest bans on non-competition agreements in the country.  As we previously reported, in December 2020, the DC Council passed the Act, which broadly prohibits non-competes in the District subject to certain very narrow exceptions.  Indeed, the Act, the specifics of which are detailed here, prohibits employers from barring employees from working for competitors not only after their employment ends, but also during their employment.

Despite the Mayor’s approval, the Act is not yet in effect.  The Act will not go into effect until the expiration of the 30-day Congressional review period pursuant to the Home Rule Act – which will not begin until it is transmitted to Congress – and its publication in the District of Columbia Register.  Even so, it is expected Congress will not interfere with the Act and it will become law in the coming months.

Check back here for updates regarding this new significant development for employers with employees in District of Columbia.

Print:
Email this postTweet this postLike this postShare this post on LinkedIn
Photo of Guy Brenner Guy Brenner

Guy Brenner is a partner in the Labor & Employment Law Department and leads the Firm’s Washington, D.C. Labor & Employment practice. He is head of the Government Contractor Compliance Group, co-head of the Counseling, Training & Pay Equity Group and a member…

Guy Brenner is a partner in the Labor & Employment Law Department and leads the Firm’s Washington, D.C. Labor & Employment practice. He is head of the Government Contractor Compliance Group, co-head of the Counseling, Training & Pay Equity Group and a member of the Restrictive Covenants, Trade Secrets & Unfair Competition Group. He has extensive experience representing employers in both single-plaintiff and class action matters, as well as in arbitration proceedings. He also regularly assists federal government contractors with the many special employment-related compliance challenges they face.

Guy represents employers in all aspects of employment and labor litigation and counseling, with an emphasis on non-compete and trade secrets issues, medical and disability leave matters, employee/independent contractor classification issues, and the investigation and litigation of whistleblower claims. He assists employers in negotiating and drafting executive agreements and employee mobility agreements, including non-competition, non-solicit and non-disclosure agreements, and also conducts and supervises internal investigations. He also regularly advises clients on pay equity matters, including privileged pay equity analyses.

Guy advises federal government contractors and subcontractors all aspects of Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) regulations and requirements, including preparing affirmative action plans, responding to desk audits, and managing on-site audits.

Guy is a former clerk to Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly of the US District Court of the District of Columbia.