Archive | In the North Carolina Courts

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ICYMI: Case Update on Non-Compete Agreements

Restrictive covenants are a set of tools that employers sometimes utilize to prevent employees from competing with them after termination of their employment.   One of the most common restrictive covenants used by an employer is a “non-compete clause.”   An evaluation of the enforceability of a non-complete clause necessarily involves a balancing of interests.   On the […]

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Case Law Update: Breach of Contract

It is surprising how often clients seek advice for breach of contract claims but cannot articulate the scope of their agreement with the breaching party.  The North Carolina Court of Appeals recently issued an opinion that highlights just how problematic this can be. In Rider v. Hodges, two parties entered into an informal agreement for […]

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Two Statutory Construction Principles at Issue in N.C. Court of Appeals’ Decision

  On April 6, 2018, the North Carolina Supreme Court, by unanimous decision written by Chief Justice Martin, reversed the N.C. Court of Appeals. (See addendum below for summary of Supreme Court opinion.) In City of Asheville v. Frost, (COA16-577, filed May 2, 2017), the North Carolina Court of Appeals wrestles with an ambiguous law […]

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Case Law Update: Negligence Claims in the Medical Context

The North Carolina Court of Appeals recently issued an opinion that draws a notable distinction between medical malpractice claims and traditional negligence actions.  The distinction is noteworthy in part because of the heightened pleading standards required for medical malpractice actions.  Rule 9(j) of the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure requires that medical malpractice claims […]