AVHS AL I, LLC et al v. Sawyer

On August 4, 2025, AVHS AL I, LLC and Athens Senior Living LLC filed a federal lawsuit in Alabama against former executive Brandon Shane Sawyer. The plaintiffs, operating senior living facilities, alleged Sawyer breached his employment contract by violating non-compete and non-solicitation clauses after resigning to join a direct competitor. They further accused Sawyer of misappropriating confidential trade secrets, including business strategies and resident data. The court granted a preliminary injunction, temporarily barring Sawyer from working for the competitor in a specified geographic area during the litigation, citing the potential for irreparable harm to the plaintiffs' business interests.

The court issued a preliminary injunction in favor of the plaintiffs, restricting Sawyer from engaging in competitive activities within a defined radius pending a full trial on the merits.

The primary dispute focused on whether the non-compete and non-solicitation covenants in Sawyer's employment agreement were enforceable under Alabama law, and whether his actions constituted a threat of irreparable harm through the misappropriation of trade secrets sufficient to warrant emergency injunctive relief.

This case underscores the critical enforceability of restrictive covenants in the healthcare and senior living sectors, highlighting how courts balance employee mobility with protecting a company's confidential information. It serves as a significant warning to executives about the legal risks of transitioning to competitors with sensitive trade secrets.