If I signed a non-compete clause in employment contract, does that mean I cannot operate a business in the same field?

If I signed a non-compete clause in employment contract, does that mean I cannot operate a business in the same field?

I work for a tax preparation company. They required me to sign an employment contract that has a clause “no solicitation covenant” where 2 years following me quitting or being fired I cannot use “confidential business information that directly or indirectly solicit, divert, or take away companys clients or otherwise interfere with companys contin relationship with its clients. Does this mean that I cannot go out on my own and put an ad in the paper for tax services and complete any tax returns done by them for 2 years?

Asked on April 23, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, California

Answers:

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.