after the association terminates.
All parties to this partnership agreement are C.P.A.'sbusiness professionals. Winston worked as an associate with the firm for seven years before being offered the opportunity to join. During this time he passed the C.P.A. examination and was admitted to the Louisiana bar. When invited to become a partner, Winston was under no pressure to accept; to the contrary, this was obviously a step up the business ladder and meant more income plus prestige. It was also recognition of his ability and professional acceptance by his associates. He had the option to hang out his shingle or join another firm. If he had left the firm before joining the partnership, he was free to take its clients with him without having to share their fees. Ofwork. The agreement is not an employment contract, but rather a typical partnership pact. Article II, the alleged culprit, by its own terms applies equally to all partners. No majority controlled the firm's destiny, despite the necessity for the managing partners to handle the day-to-day activities. There was no disparity in bargaining power between the partners. This is, with due respect, a garden variety professional partnership contract which creates no control over anyone and is designed to protect all partners for their collective and individual best interests.
Winston was not estopped from pursuing his career nor was he prohibited from pirating his firm's clients. He was free to do what he didleave BBTH and take along some of the business, but he was obligated to compensate his former partners