State-Specific Laws: Non-compete laws vary significantly by state. California largely prohibits them, while other states have specific restrictions on duration, geographic scope, and applicability. Recent trends show states increasingly limiting non-compete enforcement.

Federal Trade Commission Regulations: Recent FTC proposed rule to ban non-compete clauses nationwide, along with federal antitrust laws and Biden Administration's Executive Order promoting limitations on non-compete agreements.

Reasonableness Requirements: Legal principles requiring non-compete agreements to have reasonable scope, duration, and geographic limitations, while protecting legitimate business interests.

Court Precedents: State-specific case law regarding enforcement, including reasonableness standards and the blue pencil doctrine allowing courts to modify unreasonable terms.

Industry-Specific Regulations: Special considerations for sectors like healthcare, technology, professional services, and broadcasting, which may have unique non-compete requirements or restrictions.

Employment Law Considerations: Intersection with employment laws including at-will employment doctrine, wage and hour laws, and proper employee classification requirements.

Consideration Requirements: Legal requirement for adequate consideration (something of value) in exchange for signing a non-compete agreement, particularly for existing employees.

Trade Secret Protection: Relationship between non-compete agreements and trade secret protection laws, including compliance with state and federal trade secret statutes.