it depends (famous lawyer answer I know) if you signed a contract with a non-competition clause in it, then you are in trouble, but you said that there was no such thing. In that case you have to look at what duties you had to the company. Did the company trust you with company secrets with the implied understanding that you would not betray that trust by using your knowledge in competing against the employer in the future? Did you have clients that left with you when you moved from the company? the relationship you had with the employer will determine whether they have any cause of action. If there was no relationship of trust or clients that you poached from the employer, then they really have no claim against you. Labor contracts as a rule are generally non-binding. The employer has the right to fire you anytime for any reason and you have the right to leave at any time for any reason, even the 2 week notice is not a legal requirement in any state as far as Im aware. The only time you have to watch your step is if there is a WRITTEN labor contract that spells out the duties of the employer and employee relationship and establishes that post employment obligations of the employee. thats my 2 cents. Disclaimer: Im a 2nd year law student, not a lawyer, but as far as I know this is the general rule in the US.