Employment Contracts & Independent Contractor Agreements

Employment Contracts & Independent Contractor Agreements

Arguably, a key dynamic in business is a healthy relationship between the company and its high-level employees such as sales staff and senior managers.

Staff at this level have unfiltered access to a company’s unique information.  While having the right individuals in the right roles is paramount to your business’ success, having protections in place for the employer should these employees leave ensures little interruption in daily operations.  Ruder Ware’s attorneys help negotiate, prepare, and if needed, enforce a variety of written agreements designed to provide guidance to employees about their rights and responsibilities and protections for your business.

Agreements might include:

  • Employment agreements
  • Confidentiality agreements
  • Non-compete/non-solicitation
  • Severance agreements
  • Independent contractor agreements
  • Executive compensation and deferred compensation

Founded in 1920, Ruder Ware provides business, employment, estate planning, and litigation services. A full-service law firm, over 45 attorneys provide clients with a one-stop approach to their legal needs. Ruder Ware, Business Attorneys for Business Success.

IRS Releases New Mileage Rates for 2025

Posted on December 19, 2024 by

The Internal Revenue Service issued the 2025 optional standard mileage rates today for computing the deductible cost of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical, or moving purposes. The most notable change is the per mile increase for business use mileage. Effective January 1, 2025, the optional standard mileage rates for the use of a […]

Breaking News: Judge Tosses Overtime Increase

Posted on November 15, 2024 by and

Friday afternoon, a federal judge in Texas struck down the Department of Labor’s (“Department’s”) overtime rule (“Overtime Rule”) finding that the Overtime Rule exceeded the Department’s authority and was unlawful. In the Opinion, the court issued a vacatur which sets aside the rule and makes it no longer binding. This vacatur of the Overtime Rule […]

2025 Qualified Plan Cost of Living Increases, 2025 Social Security Taxable Wage Base

Posted on November 1, 2024 by

On November 1, 2024 the Internal Revenue Service announced the cost-of-living adjustments for the various qualified retirement plan limits.  Almost all of the limits shown below have increased from last year.   Qualified Plan Limit Cost-of-Living Adjustments 401(k) and 403(b) elective deferral limit 2024 – $23,000 2025 – $23,500 $200,000 compensation limit 2024 – $345,000 […]

Breaking News: Noncompete Ban Not Dead Yet!

Posted on October 18, 2024 by , , and

As you know, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) previously issued a rule that would ban most employee noncompetes throughout the United States.  See our previous updates NLRB Seeks Aggressive Enforcement Against Employers for Unlawful Non-Compete and “Stay-or-Pay” Provisions, Breaking News: Federal Court Halts FTC Noncompete Ban, The FTC’s Ban on Noncompetes Remains Imminent for Most […]

NLRB Seeks Aggressive Enforcement Against Employers for Unlawful Non-Compete and “Stay-or-Pay” Provisions

Posted on October 9, 2024 by

Even after a Federal District Court judge in Texas struck down the looming FTC Ban on non-competes this past August, non-competes are still a hot topic in labor news. On Monday, Jennifer Abruzzo, the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) General Counsel, issued a memo expanding on her May 2023 memo. The latest memo not only […]

Breaking News: Federal Court Halts FTC Noncompete Ban!

Posted on August 20, 2024 by , , and

Today, a federal court judge in Dallas, Texas, ruled the Federal Trade Commission went too far in issuing its nationwide noncompete ban that was set to become effective September 4, 2024. We anticipate the FTC will appeal and will update you as we know more. In the meantime, do not hesitate to contact the Employment […]

The FTC’s Ban on Noncompetes Remains Imminent for Most Employers as Legal Challenges Continue

Posted on July 8, 2024 by , and

On July 3, 2024, a federal judge in Texas granted a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit challenging the FTC’s noncompete ban. Notably, the injunction only applies to those plaintiffs named in the suit. All other employers will still need to comply with the noncompete ban when it takes effect in September. A final decision on […]

DOL’s New Overtime Rule Litigation Update: Texas Federal Judge Denies Postponement of Rule for a Private Employer

Posted on July 2, 2024 by and

Late Monday afternoon, a federal judge in Texas denied a marketing firm’s motion for a preliminary injunction to halt the DOL’s new overtime rule. This denial affirms that, for now, employers, other than the State of Texas, must comply with the DOL’s new overtime rule which went into effect Monday, July 1, 2024. As each […]

Texas Federal Judge Postpones DOL’s New Overtime Rule ONLY for Employees Working for the State of Texas

Posted on July 1, 2024 by and

This past Friday, a Texas federal judge granted a preliminary injunction for the State of Texas, postponing the effective date of the Department of Labor’s new overtime rule. Currently, the injunction is limited only to State of Texas employees. All other employers must still comply with the final rule which went into effect today, July […]

2025 HSA Limits Are Announced

Posted on May 9, 2024 by

On May 9, 2024, the IRS announced the Health Savings Account limits for 2025.  With respect to contribution limits, the limits are higher than the ones for 2024 and the required deductible and out-of-pocket maximums have increased as well.  As a reminder, these inflation adjusted amounts are effective for calendar year 2025. HSA/HDHP Requirement Cost-of-Living […]

More Insights...