Protecting your intellectual property in the gig economy 

Non-compete agreements. Non-solicitation agreements. Inventions. And confidentiality.  

As a company that relies on independent contractor workers, are there any implications in requiring these legal agreements?  

Or, as an IC or gig worker, are you required to sign these agreements if it hinders your independence?     

Our host, Nick Hancock, breaks it down for us in his interview with Kristen M.J. Johnson, Esq., managing partner of the Taylor Johnson law firm litigation group. Kristen’s law resume is beyond impressive, having studied law internationally as well as practiced law in a top Washington D.C. firm. Specializing in transportation, Kristen is an industry thought leader who directly advises clients on risk management, case and witness preparation, investigations response and compliance programs, and critical strategy.     

For more information about Kristen M.J. Johnson and Taylor Johnson PL, please check out their website.

The Gig Academy host

Nick Hancock, Openforce Gig Academy Podcast Host and Customer Success Manager of Key Accounts
Nick monitors all areas that pertain to and affect the gig economy and IC model to best advise and meet the needs of Openforce’s clientele. Prior to working at Openforce, Nick worked in the dental manufacturing industry and has a background in insurance as a producer.

Nick has a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies of Humanities from Northern Arizona University. Nick resides in Phoenix, Arizona where he and his wife recently welcomed their firstborn daughter in October 2021.

About this episode’s guest

Kristen M.J. Johnson, Esq., Partner, Taylor Johnson PL
Kristen M.J. Johnson is managing partner of the firm’s litigation group. In 2020, Kristen was the only private practice attorney selected as a Top Woman to Watch in Transportation by the Women in Trucking Association. She is licensed to practice in Florida, California, and DC, and the nature of her transportation practice spans the United States and often internationally. Kristen focuses on business litigation, arbitration, appeals, and government investigations within the trucking and logistics arenas. She regularly handles freight claims under the Carmack Amendment, complex civil disputes, product and warranty claims, and contract disputes.

Before entering the law, Kristen was a recipient of a U.S. Fulbright Fellowship to Japan, where she researched labor and civil rights issues. As a thought leader, Kristen is active in the industry and community. She is a member of Women in Trucking, the Transportation Lawyers Association, and the Conference of Freight Counsel. Her other passion is humanitarian aid and children’s rights. She is on the Board of Directors for Friends of the Children, Tampa Bay, and she is the co-founder of Pretrial Rights International. Kristen lives in Safety Harbor, Florida, with her husband, three sons, and adorable puppy dog.

About Taylor Johnson PL

Taylor Johnson is a boutique transportation law firm with real industry experience, a national practice, and a local footprint in central and south Florida.

They specialize in the trucking industry and understand transportation law. Taylor Johnson brings together the power of local legal practice, deep transportation industry understanding, and nimble lawyering. They are proud to represent the hard-working businesses that manufacture, arrange, transport, and insure the staples of this country. Their clients include motor carriers, owner-operators, brokers, agents, freight forwarders, shippers, and warehouses, as well as insurance companies.

About Openforce

Openforce is the leader in technology-driven services that reduce operating costs and mitigate risk for companies using independent contractors. Their cloud-based applications help companies and contractors alike achieve more sustainable, profitable growth by removing financial, operational, and compliance barriers to getting business done.