Non-Compete Agreements (Mostly) Unenforceable Against Doctors
The Tennessee Supreme Court held yesterday that covenants not to compete are unenforceable against physicians "except for restrictions specifically provided for by statute." The narrow exception applies to hospital and faculty practice plan employers of physicians, and even then only in limited circumstances. The Supreme Court concluded that all others are against public policy. Read the opinion here.
Is the physicians' covenant not to compete unenforceable and void among veterinarians within Tennessee as well?
The Supreme Court did not address veterinarians in its opinion, so one would have to guess at how the Supreme Court would rule on non-compete agreements involving veterinarians. Any one interested in challenging or enforcing a non-compete agreement should talk to an attorney about the specifics of their agreement and the circumstances surrounding it.