Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

08/26/2024 | Press release | Archived content

S&C Helps Secure First Nationwide Decision Declaring the FTC’s Noncompete Rule Unlawful

In a case involving one of the most controversial and consequential employment regulations ever, which would have invalidated 30 million employment contracts nationwide, S&C helped persuade a federal district court to vacate the Federal Trade Commission's rule banning noncompete agreements. In its decision vacating the rule, a judge in the Northern District of Texas held that the rule exceeded the FTC's statutory authority and was arbitrary and capricious. This marked the first nationwide decision declaring the FTC's noncompete rule unlawful.

S&C represented plaintiff-intervenors the United States Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable, Texas Association of Business, and Longview Chamber of Commerce. The team includes Jeff Wall, Judd Littleton, Rebecca Rowland, and Stephen Paul. Jeff and Judd were named "Legal Lions Of The Week " by Law360 for this result.