Organized Money The Non-Compete Nightmare
May 22, 2025
Courtney Van Kott, a dedicated real estate broker from California and Arizona, shares her harrowing six-year battle against a non-compete agreement that nearly derailed her career. She recounts the shocking moment she was served legal papers while picking up her kids from school, revealing the immense pressure to sign a contract that demanded 75% of her commissions even after leaving her team. Their discussion highlights the chilling effects of non-competes on workers, especially in real estate, and touches on the ongoing fight for fair employment practices.
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Courtney's Non-Compete Nightmare
- Courtney Van Kott was pressured to sign an aggressive non-compete with no geographic limits in real estate.
- She faced a six-year litigation battle lasting over $300,000 in claimed commissions after leaving her team.
Sued After Leaving Brokerage
- Courtney was terminated after they found out she was leaving and sued a year later for hundreds of thousands.
- She initially thought demand letters were just intimidation but then faced real lawsuit threats.
Fighting With Limited Legal Resources
- Courtney could not afford typical legal fees, which often start at $15,000 to $30,000 retainers.
- She became her own advocate and got help from a former attorney coworker to fight the case.