Experienced Legal Counsel for Healthcare Professionals and Medical Practices Throughout Florida

Restrictive covenant agreements—commonly referred to as noncompete agreements—are among the most important and frequently disputed provisions in healthcare employment and business contracts. Whether you are a physician accepting a new position, a medical practice protecting its patient base, or a healthcare organization navigating the departure of a provider, a properly drafted noncompete agreement can significantly affect your rights, business interests, and future opportunities.

At St. Johns Law Group, we represent physicians, healthcare professionals, medical practices, and healthcare organizations in the negotiation, drafting, review, enforcement, and defense of restrictive covenant agreements. Our attorneys understand the unique business, contractual, and operational issues affecting healthcare providers and provide practical legal counsel designed to protect our clients’ interests while minimizing the risk of future disputes.

14 Attorneys and 300+ Years of Combined Experience

Douglas N. Burnett is a former Executive Attorney for a National Medical Provider with Multiple Practices and over 200 Locations

Our multidisciplinary team advises clients on employment agreements, shareholder agreements, Management Services Agreements (MSAs), Professional Services Agreements (PSAs), business acquisitions, commercial litigation, and healthcare business operations, allowing us to address restrictive covenant issues within the broader context of your practice and career.

What Is a Physician Noncompete Agreement?

A noncompete agreement is a contractual provision that restricts a healthcare provider’s ability to compete with an employer or medical practice after the employment relationship ends.

Depending on the agreement, restrictions may address:

• Geographic areas where a provider may practice

• Length of the restriction

• Medical specialties or services covered

• Solicitation of patients

• Recruitment of employees

• Protection of confidential information

• Referral relationships

• Ownership interests

• Business opportunities

Because these agreements can significantly affect both healthcare providers and employers, they should be carefully negotiated and reviewed before they are signed.

We Represent Healthcare Professionals and Employers

St. Johns Law Group represents both individual healthcare professionals and healthcare organizations in restrictive covenant matters involving:

We also represent physician groups, dental practices, management services organizations (MSOs), professional corporations, and other healthcare businesses seeking to protect their legitimate business interests through carefully drafted restrictive covenant agreements.

Reviewing Noncompete Agreements Before You Sign

Many healthcare professionals are presented with employment agreements after accepting a position, leaving little time to fully understand the legal and practical implications of restrictive covenant provisions.

Before signing, important questions include:

• How large is the restricted geographic area?

• How long will the restriction remain in effect?

• Which services are restricted?

• Are all practice locations included?

• Can patients contact you?

• Does the agreement prohibit employee recruitment?

• What happens if the practice is sold?

• Are there exceptions for termination without cause?

• How does the agreement interact with partnership or ownership rights?

An experienced attorney can help identify potential concerns and negotiate revisions before they become obstacles to future career opportunities.

Drafting Restrictive Covenant Agreements

Healthcare employers invest substantial time and resources in building patient relationships, recruiting providers, marketing services, and developing practice goodwill.

Properly drafted restrictive covenant agreements can help protect legitimate business interests while reducing the likelihood of future litigation.

We assist employers with agreements addressing:

• Noncompetition provisions

• Nonsolicitation of patients

• Nonsolicitation of employees

• Confidential information

• Trade secrets

• Referral relationships

• Business goodwill

• Ownership transitions

• Partnership withdrawals

• Physician departures

Every agreement should be tailored to the specific practice, specialty, and business objectives involved.

Physician Departures

When a physician or other healthcare provider leaves a practice, restrictive covenant issues often become intertwined with other legal and business concerns.

Our attorneys assist with:

• Employment transitions

• Ownership buyouts

• Shareholder agreements

• Partnership withdrawals

• Patient communications

• Medical records

• Transition services

• Practice separation agreements

• Business succession planning

Careful planning before a departure can reduce uncertainty and help preserve valuable business relationships.

Management Services Agreements (MSAs) and Professional Services Agreements (PSAs)

Many modern healthcare organizations operate under Management Services Agreements (MSAs) and Professional Services Agreements (PSAs), particularly physician groups, dental organizations, medical spas, and private equity-backed healthcare businesses.

Restrictive covenant provisions frequently appear in these agreements and may affect:

• Ownership transitions

• Practice management relationships

• Clinical service arrangements

• Independent contractor relationships

• Medical director services

• Business operations

• Practice acquisitions

Our attorneys review these agreements to ensure they align with the parties’ business objectives and work cohesively with employment agreements, shareholder agreements, and other governing documents.

Restrictive Covenant Litigation

Despite careful drafting, disputes sometimes arise regarding the interpretation or enforcement of restrictive covenant agreements.

Our litigation team represents clients in matters involving:

• Enforcement of noncompete agreements

• Defense against restrictive covenant claims

• Temporary injunctions

• Emergency injunctions

• Confidential information

• Trade secret disputes

• Patient solicitation

• Employee recruitment

• Breach of employment agreements

• Contract litigation

• Appeals

When litigation becomes necessary, we develop strategies designed to protect our clients’ business interests while pursuing practical and cost-effective solutions.

Why Trial Experience Matters

Restrictive covenant disputes frequently move quickly and may require immediate court action.

Douglas N. Burnett has extensive experience representing businesses and professionals in complex commercial litigation, including contract disputes, injunction proceedings, business ownership conflicts, fiduciary claims, and commercial litigation involving closely held companies.

In 2026, we prevailed in a week-long jury trial of an 8-figure partnership dispute.

Our trial experience provides valuable perspective when negotiating restrictive covenant disputes because we prepare every case with the possibility of litigation in mind.

A Multidisciplinary Healthcare Legal Team

Restrictive covenant issues rarely exist in isolation.

Our healthcare business attorneys regularly advise clients on:

• Physician employment agreements

• Medical practice acquisitions and sales

• Outside General Counsel services

• Corporate governance

• Shareholder agreements

• Commercial real estate

• Medical office leasing

• Tax planning

• Asset protection

• Business succession planning

• Commercial litigation

By coordinating legal advice across multiple disciplines, we help healthcare providers and healthcare organizations develop strategies that protect both their professional interests and their businesses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I have an attorney review my noncompete agreement before signing?

Yes. Restrictive covenant provisions may affect where you can practice, how long restrictions remain in effect, your ability to contact former patients, and your future employment opportunities. A legal review before signing often provides the greatest opportunity to negotiate favorable terms.

Can healthcare employers enforce noncompete agreements?

Whether a restrictive covenant is enforceable depends on the language of the agreement, the surrounding facts, and applicable law. Employers should work with experienced counsel to ensure agreements are carefully drafted and tailored to legitimate business interests.

Do restrictive covenants only appear in employment agreements?

No. Restrictive covenant provisions may also appear in shareholder agreements, partnership agreements, Management Services Agreements (MSAs), Professional Services Agreements (PSAs), practice purchase agreements, and other healthcare business contracts.

What should I do if a dispute arises?

Prompt legal advice is important. Early evaluation of the agreement and surrounding circumstances can help identify available options, reduce business disruption, and position the parties for a favorable resolution.

Protect Your Career and Practice

Whether you are negotiating your first employment agreement, expanding your healthcare organization, purchasing a medical practice, or addressing a restrictive covenant dispute, experienced legal counsel can help protect your professional and business interests.

The attorneys at St. Johns Law Group represent healthcare professionals and healthcare businesses throughout Northeast Florida in restrictive covenant matters, physician employment agreements, business transactions, and healthcare business litigation.

Contact St. Johns Law Group today to schedule a confidential consultation.

 Call us today at (904) 495-0400 or email Douglas N. Burnett directly.

At St. Johns Law Group, we are committed to delivering the Dedicated & Responsive Service® you can count on.