26 February

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Value of Restrictive Covenant when Moving for Permanent Injunction

A recent case demonstrates the value of a restrictive covenant. In The Residences at the Bath Club Condominium Association, Inc. v. Bath Club Entertainment, LLC, 48 Fla.L.Weekly D221a (Fla. 3d DCA), the parties entered into a settlement agreement and a proceeding relative to the breach and enforcement of the settlement occurred. The trial court entered an order enforcing the settlement agreement based on a specific paragraph in the agreement. Ultimately, the facts, for purposes of this posting, are not as significant as the appellate court’s discussion in obtaining a permanent injunction when dealing with a restrictive covenant. In particular, when...

18 October

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Dealing with a Choice of Law Issue?

Posted by David Adelstein

in Trial Perspectives

Do you have a “choice of law” issue? In other words, does your contract require you to apply Delaware law (or the law of another state) but you will be filing your lawsuit in Florida? In this case, how do you know when to apply the law of another state versus Florida law? The answer depends on whether dealing with a substantive versus procedural issue: When dealing with choice of law matters, Florida adheres to a distinction between substantive and procedural matters. Siegel v. Novak, 920 So. 2d 89, 93 (Fla. 4th DCA 2006); Aerovias Nacionales De Colombia, S.A. v. Tellez, 596 So....

12 January

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Enforcement of Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation Provision

Posted by David Adelstein

in Trial Perspectives

Non-compete provisions are not always fair. The same can probably be said about non-solicitation provisions. Typically, these provisions (referred to as restrictive covenants) are included in an employment agreement as a condition of employment. But, if there is a legitimate business interest for these provisions, and they are limited in scope, they are enforceable and relief, including injunctive relief, can be sought. Restrictive covenants in employment-related agreements, such as a non-compete and non-solicitation provision, are governed by Florida Statute s. 542.335. A party (e.g., employer) seeking a temporary injunction against another (e.g., employee) must demonstrate four elements: “(1) the likelihood...

16 June

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Value of Severability Clause

Posted by David Adelstein

in Trial Perspectives

Severability clauses have become fairly commonplace in contracts. Cut and paste provisions. However, these clauses can provide tremendous value. A sample of a severability clause is as follows: If any provision of this Agreement, the deletion of which would not adversely affect the receipt of any material benefit by or in favor of any party or substantially increase the burden of any party to this Agreement, shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the same shall not affect in any respect whatsoever the validity or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement. There are numerous ways to draft...

12 May

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Injunctive Relief + Attorney’s Fees Awarded in Favor of an Owner and Against Her Association

Posted by David Adelstein

in Trial Perspectives

Here is a case that may give associations some degree of consternation. I think it should because it supports permanent injunctive relief against an association to comply with its governing documents when managing or maintaining a surface water management system / stormwater management system. This case, discussed below, would extend beyond a surface water management system to any covenant in the governing documents. In Coconut Creek Homeowner's Association, Inc. v. Gonzalez, 43 Fla.L.Weekly D1045a (Fla. 4th DCA 2018), a homeowner sued her homeowner's association for failing to manage the association's surface water management system. The homeowner sued the association...

19 March

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Enforcing Non-Compete Agreement with Injunctive Relief

Posted by David Adelstein

in Uncategorized

There are numerous employers that want employees to sign a non-compete, non-disclosure, and non-solicitation agreement (collectively, the “non-compete agreement”). For good reason, they don’t want to train employees to learn the business’ trade secrets and business practices (e.g., marking strategies, pricing, techniques, customer lists, etc.) only to then compete with the employer and solicit its clients. The non-compete agreement will allow the employer to move for injunctive relief if a former employee violates the agreement to maintain the status quo and prevent the irreparable harm to the employer. An example is as follows. In Allied Universal Corp. v. Given, 42 Fla....

17 January

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Quick Note: So You Want to Appeal an Injunction Entered Against You…

Posted by David Adelstein

in Appeal

So you want to appeal the issuance of an injunction entered against you. (There are numerous reasons why injunctive relief may be entered by the court in a civil context - check out this article as an example.) “If the injunction rests on factual findings, then a trial court's order must be affirmed absent an abuse of discretion; but if the injunction rests on purely legal matters, then an injunction is reviewed de novo.” Nipper v. Walton County, Florida, 42 Fla. L. Weekly D171a (Fla. 1st DCA 2017). Stated differently, there is an abuse of discretion standard of appellate review...