NDA Restricting the use of contacts developed while employed South Carolina

[fubak]

My former employer (Company A) is claiming that I am in violation of the NDA that we had in place because I have tried to get work from one of their customers (Company B) using contacts that I developed while employed by them. I have started my own consulting business and am trying to establish a customer base.

In my NDA with a former employer, I haven't found anything that bars me from using contacts that I developed while employed at Company A. Can NDAs keep me from going out on my own and getting business from their customers using contacts that I developed while being employed there?

[HRinMA]

The best thing you can do is consult a lawyer. Take the document with you (the entire document) and ask the lawyer's opinion.

[ElleMD]

This is way beyond what a message board can help you with. Take the NDA with you to a lawyer as advised and be clear about exactly what it is you are trying to do and how you are planning to do it. A NDA may not be the only thing stopping you. This is especially true if you are in a competing business and offering the same services your former employer provides.

[Betty3]

Any time a contract or agreement is involved, your best bet is to always take it to an attorney (in this case probably an employment or contract attorney) for his/her opinion & advice.

[cbg]

As a colleague on another board is wont to say, I can't read your NDA from where I'm sitting. So, as indicated above, your best bet is to take it to someone who can.

[Betty3]

A lot of times the devil is in the details or fine print - let a lawyer review agreement.