Free Non-Solicitation Agreements (Word)
Legal
by mihaelababic
When key staff leave, a non-solicitation agreement helps keep them from poaching clients or coworkers on the way out. This collection of 39 templates gives employers, HR teams, and small-business owners clear language covering customers, employees, and the time period the restriction applies.
Each agreement is editable in Microsoft Word, ready for party names, the covered period, and your specific terms. Enforceability of these clauses varies a lot by state, so have a lawyer confirm yours holds up before you rely on it. Download the version that fits your situation and protect the relationships you've worked to build.
When to use this Non-Solicitation Agreement template
- A tech startup founder drafting an employee contract to prevent a departing CTO from recruiting their direct reports to a competitor during the 18-month transition clause.
- A regional pharmacy chain’s HR director needing a non-solicitation addendum to protect patient relationships when a key account manager resigns to join a competitor.
- A mid-sized law firm partner inserting a client non-solicitation rider into associate contracts to block them from luring high-value cases if they leave for boutique firms in the same practice area.
- A franchise owner customizing a non-solicitation agreement for regional managers to ensure they don’t poach franchisees or supplier networks after leaving the system.
Which format should I download?
All 39 templates are provided in Microsoft Word format, which is ideal for this type of agreement. Choose Word because it allows legal teams to easily edit party names, specific restrictions (e.g., client lists or employee roles), and the duration of non-solicitation periods—tailoring each document to the exact scope needed. The fillable versions streamline updates, while the blank options offer maximum flexibility for drafting from scratch or integrating into broader employment contracts.
How to use this Non-Solicitation Agreement template
Can these templates include restrictions on both employees and clients?
Yes, many templates in this collection allow you to specify whether the agreement applies to employees, clients, vendors, or a combination. For example, you can draft a clause preventing a departing executive from soliciting both customers and former colleagues. Always review state laws, as enforcement varies by jurisdiction.
What’s the best way to set a reasonable time frame for non-solicitation?
A common range is 12 to 24 months, depending on the industry and role. For example, sales teams often need shorter restrictions (12 months) due to rapid client turnover, while relationships in consulting or law may justify 24 months. Courts often scrutinize overly long periods, so balance protection with reasonableness.
Do these templates address geographic restrictions for non-solicitation?
Several templates include fields for defining geographic scope, such as limiting poaching to a specific city, region, or even a radius around company offices. For example, a retail chain might restrict solicitation to the same metropolitan area where stores operate. Always pair geographic limits with clear, enforceable definitions.
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