Clifford Atlas is a principal in the New York City, New York, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He is the co-leader of the Restrictive Covenants, Trade Secrets and Unfair Competition practice group.

Cliff works extensively with clients in developing and drafting employment contracts and restrictive covenant agreements, and developing programs to best protect clients’ confidential business information. He has significant experience in prosecuting as well as defending actions involving breach of non-competition and non-solicitation agreements, employee raiding, misappropriation of confidential information, tortious interference with contract, unfair competition, and related business claims. Cliff also has assisted clients in employment issues arising from corporate transactions.

Additionally, Cliff handles all types of employment discrimination, harassment, disability, wrongful discharge, and related employment tort, contract, wage-hour and employee benefits claims. He has tried cases in state and federal courts, and before administrative agencies. Cliff has argued numerous appeals to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Honors and Recognitions

  • The Best Lawyers in America©, "Litigation - Labor and Employment" (2018-present)
  • Lawyer’s Alliance for New York, Cornerstone Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Legal Services to Non-profits (2011)
  • New York Super Lawyers®, "Super Lawyers" (2010-2020)

No aspect of this or any advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. For all award methodology, see Awards and Honors Methodology.

Professional Associations and Activities

  • New York State Bar Association, Section on Labor and Employment Law

In October 2023, California’s Governor signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1076 which added the new Business & Professions Code §16600.1, making it unlawful to impose non-compete clauses on employees – which contractual restrictions already are void under Business & Professions Code §16600.

Under AB 1076, employers must notify current employees and former employees (employed after January

California’s Governor signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1076 on October 13, 2023, which adds new Business & Professions Code §16600.1, making it unlawful to impose non-compete clauses on employees – which contractual restrictions already are void under Business & Professions Code §16600. 

AB 1076 codifies existing case law in Edwards v. Arthur Andersen LLP (2008) 44

On September 1, 2023, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 699, which buttresses current state law that voids contracts that restrain an employee from engaging in a lawful profession, trade, or business of any kind.  

California’s Business and Professions Code section 16600 states, “[E]very contract by which anyone is restrained from engaging in