Court Opinion

ID: 6496448
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-06-29 20:09:36.350894+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:49:07.050113
License: Public Domain

NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
                               APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
        This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court ." Although it is posted on the
     internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R. 1:36-3.

                                                        SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
                                                        APPELLATE DIVISION
                                                        DOCKET NO. A-0257-19

PROTECTED GOALS, LLC,
NEW CENTURY CAPITAL
MANAGEMENT, LLC, and
MURRAY WOLOSHIN,

          Plaintiffs-Respondents,

v.

LOUIS TERRERO,

          Defendant-Respondent,
and

SONIA LUGO, LISA RYERSON,
TRINITY WW TECHNOLOGIES,
ZENITH MARKETING,
APPLEWOOD ASSET
MANAGEMENT, LLC, NEW
CENTURY IDENTITY THEFT
PROTECTION SERVICES, LLC,
and NEW CENTURY PLANNING
ASSOCIATES, INC.,

          Defendants,

and

ROBERT RYERSON,
     Defendant-Appellant.
_____________________________

            Argued June 7, 2022 – Decided June 29, 2022

            Before Judges Sumners, Vernoia and Firko.

            On appeal from the Superior Court of New Jersey,
            Chancery Division, Essex County, Docket No. C-
            000231-16.

            Robert Ryerson 1 appellant argued the cause pro se
            (Matthew D. Rasmussen and Robert Ryerson, on the
            briefs).

            Jay J. Rice argued the cause for respondents (Nagel
            Rice, LLP, attorneys; Jay J. Rice, of counsel and on the
            brief; Michael J. Paragano, on the brief)

PER CURIAM

      Robert Ryerson appeals from a September 9, 2019 final amended

judgment entered by the Law Division following a bench trial awarding

1
   On May 12, 2022, we granted defendants Louis Terrero and Robert Ryerson's
motions to represent themselves on appeal due to the suspension of their
attorney. Additionally, we dismissed the appeal as to defendants New Century
Planning Associates, Inc. (NCP), New Century Identity Theft Protection
Services, LLC (NCI), and Applewood Asset Management, LLC (Applewood)
because new corporate counsel was not retained to represent them. Terrero is
listed on the counseled brief but stated during oral argument he has not appealed.
Claims against Lisa Ryerson (also known as Lisa Lieb) and Sonia Lugo were
dismissed with prejudice. Plaintiffs' claims against Trinity WW Technologies
(Trinity) and Zenith Marketing were settled prior to trial. In this opinion, we
refer to Robert Ryerson as Ryerson.
                                                                            A-0257-19
                                        2
plaintiffs Protected Goals, LLC (Protected), New Century Capital Management,

LLC (NCCM), and Murray Woloshin (collectively plaintiffs) compensatory

damages against defendants in the sum of $226,404.26 and $17,559.25 in

prejudgment interest for defendants' breach of contract, tortious interference

with contract, common law breach of the duty of loyalty, unfair competition,

and fraud. The trial court also awarded $277,069.81 in counsel fees. Ryerson

and NCP were liable for the entire counsel fee amount, while Terrero,

Applewood and NCI were responsible for $76,064 of the counsel fee award. In

addition, the judgment also enjoined defendants from violating Ryerson's

restrictive covenant with plaintiffs until December 31, 2019, and ordered NCI

to return certain sales agreements and publications. After carefully reviewing

the record and considering the applicable legal principles, we affirm the

compensatory damage awards but reverse and remand the counsel fee awards

because the trial court did not conduct a thorough review of each factor set forth

in RPC 1.5(a).

                                        I.

      We derive the following facts from the extensive five-day trial record.

Woloshin is an experienced registered investment advisor (RIA) and insurance

agent, providing planning and financial services. Ryerson was an RIA until the

                                                                            A-0257-19
                                        3
National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) found him guilty of

misconduct in 2006 by sharing commissions with a non-NASD member and

intentionally engaging in conduct designed to mislead his employer. While still

an RIA, Ryerson owned and operated NCP, a small financial advisory firm.

Ryerson's RIA revocation meant he could neither manage client assets nor sell

insurance products.

      Because Ryerson could not service his clients, he sought a mutually

agreeable buy-sell agreement with Woloshin, the president of NCCM and

Protected, which required approval from the New Jersey Bureau of Securities

(NJBS). In order to comply with applicable regulations, NJBS required that

Woloshin "purchase all of NCP's assets and take control over all of NCP's

accounts, present or prospective." Consequently, in 2008, Woloshin formed

NCCM to absorb and take over Ryerson's business.            Initially, NCCM was

created as an investment advisory firm to secure regulated and non-regulated

businesses. To effectuate this relationship, the parties entered into three separate

agreements, ("the agreements"), on February 28, 2008.

      A. The Asset Purchase Agreement

      Under the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement (APA), NCP sold

NCCM all "rights to provide investment management services to [NCP] clients,"

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                                         4
"[NCP]'s book of business, including, without limitation, all of [NCP]'s right,

title and interest in and to . . . all Client accounts . . . maintained by [NCP]," and

NCP's records and client files. NCCM paid NCP a base price of $250,000 with

adjustable metrics allowing for a maximum payment of $700,000. The last

payment under the APA was due four years from the date of execution.

      B. The Non-Compete and Consulting Agreement

      While Ryerson sold all NCP assets to NCCM under the APA, Woloshin

also brought Ryerson on as a consultant. Under the terms of the Non-Compete

and Consulting Agreement (Consulting Agreement), it was contemplated

Ryerson would facilitate the transfer of NCP clients to NCCM, perform general

economic analysis as requested, and conduct other non-investment advisory

work at the request of NCCM.            The Consulting Agreement specifically

prohibited Ryerson from "performing any investment advisory work" or

contacting NCCM clients in any way on behalf of NCCM "except for

introductory meetings."

      The Consulting Agreement also required Ryerson to "maintain the

confidentiality and privacy of all" NCCM client information. Ryerson also

agreed not to:

             discard, delete, alter or modify any correspondence
             (hard copy or electronic) sent or received by you as a

                                                                               A-0257-19
                                          5
            Consultant of [NCCM] unless in accordance with
            [NCCM]'s policies and procedures[; or] . . . solicit
            clients or prospective clients of [NCCM] for any
            purpose, including to modify or terminate their
            relationship with [NCCM], or to become clients of
            some other company or entity that competes in any way
            with [NCCM], nor to sell them any products or
            services, nor cooperate in any way with any third-party
            in the sale of products or services, that might in any
            broad sense compete with [NCCM].

            [(Emphases added).]

These prohibitions were to "survive . . . one year past the later of the end of the

term [Ryerson was to] serve as a Consultant to [NCCM], or end of the [APA]

between [NCCM] and NCP." (Emphasis added).

      The Consulting Agreement further provided that in the event NCCM or

any affiliated persons became a party to any legal proceeding or suffered any

damages as a result of any act or omission by Ryerson, he agreed to "defend,

indemnify and hold harmless [NCCM], its officers, members, employees and/or

agents, from any and all settlements, judgments, awards, attorneys['] fees and

costs." In addition, the Consulting Agreement indicated that Ryerson " agree[d]

to execute the corresponding Confidentiality and Restrictive Covenant

Agreement in the form presented . . . by [NCCM]."

      C. The Confidentiality and Restrictive Covenant Agreement

                                                                             A-0257-19
                                        6
      Under the terms of the Confidentiality and Restrictive Covenant

Agreement (Restrictive Covenant), Ryerson agreed "to protect [NCCM]'s

legitimate interests in its client relationships[] and the confidential information

that [NCCM] has developed about its clients," and all NCCM client data was

and would remain proprietary to NCCM during and subsequent to any

termination of Ryerson's employment "and forever thereafter," even if he

introduced clients to NCCM.       Additionally, Ryerson "agree[d] not to use,

communicate, reveal, or otherwise make available" any confidential client

information "except solely and exclusively in furtherance of [his] employment"

with NCCM. Ryerson was also prohibited from removing any records from

company offices without express permission.

      "In recognition of the highly confidential and proprietary nature of

[NCCM]'s business methods and practices," Ryerson agreed not to solicit

business from:

            (i) any person or entity who is a[n] [NCCM] client . . .
            at the inception of [Ryerson's] employment/association,
            or becomes a[n] [NCCM] client . . . during the term of
            [Ryerson's] employment/association . . . or (ii) any
            person or entity identified as a prospective [NCCM]
            client (i.e., any and all individuals or entities identified
            and/or contacted by [or who contacts] the Company for
            the purpose of becoming a[n] [NCCM] client within the
            [twenty-four] month period prior to the termination of
            [Ryerson's] employment/association) . . . .

                                                                             A-0257-19
                                         7
            [(Eleventh alteration in original).]

      On the last page of the Restrictive Covenant, paragraph seven reads:

            [I]n the event that I violate or threaten to violate any of
            the above covenants or restrictions, [NCCM] . . . shall
            be entitled to both: (a) to a preliminary or permanent
            injunction in order to prevent the continuation of such
            harm; and (b) money damages, insofar as they can be
            reasonably determined, including, without limitation,
            all reasonable costs and attorneys’ fees incurred by
            [NCCM] in enforcing the provisions of this Agreement.

            [(Emphasis added).]

These restrictions would last for a two-year period "subsequent to termination

of [Ryerson's] employment/association for any reason."

      D. Ryerson's Departure from NCCM

      After signing the agreements, Ryerson remained a consultant with NCCM

for eight years under Woloshin's direction. Woloshin handled any business

originated by Ryerson.     During that time, Woloshin, on the advice of his

attorneys, separated NCCM's operations and formed Protected in 2015 to handle

the non-regulated portion of the business. Towards the end of 2015, Ryerson

devised a plan to siphon clients away from NCCM and disparaged Woloshin.

Because Ryerson had still not regained his RIA license and could not act as a

broker or obtain errors and omissions insurance, plaintiffs asserted he needed a

                                                                          A-0257-19
                                        8
strawperson who could obtain an RIA, or the requisite licenses, to sell insurance

products. To that end, Ryerson persuaded Terrero, a certified public accountant,

to become licensed in order to sell NCCM products. Ryerson and Terrero

formed Applewood in December 2015 for that purpose.

      Plaintiffs contend Ryerson began secretly forwarding client data to

Terrero between May and August 2016, while still working for NCCM. This

included sales leads, NCCM client lists, mailing lists, client asset and account

information, and "outside business spreadsheets."       At Ryerson's direction,

Terrero copied NCCM documents in case Woloshin wanted the original

documents returned. Original insurance and annuity files were taken from

NCCM's office.

      Ryerson also directed an unaffiliated outside vendor, Trinity, to download

NCCM data and upload it to NCP's cloud. Ryerson then initiated a Comcast

work order to transfer all of NCCM's business telephone numbers, sold by NCP

in the APA, back to Ryerson without Woloshin's knowledge or approval.

Ryerson and Terrero conspired to obtain NCCM clients through Applewood and

another entity, NCI.    On August 22, 2016, Ryerson and Terrero formally

terminated their association with NCCM by moving out of Woloshin's office

and taking his clients' electronic and hard copy files with them.

                                                                           A-0257-19
                                        9
      Woloshin     asserted   Ryerson       and   Terrero   stole   personal   client

information—names, addresses and the types of products they purchased in the

past. After their departure, Ryerson and Terrero continued to solicit Woloshin

and NCCM's clients using the stolen information.            On October 20, 2016,

plaintiffs filed a verified complaint and order to show cause (OTSC) seeking

injunctive relief against Terrero, Lugo, Lisa Ryerson, Trinity, Zenith,

Applewood, and NCP. In their complaint, plaintiffs alleged defendants aided

and abetted Ryerson "to engage in unfair competition and tortiously pilfer

plaintiff[s'] clients." The complaint alleged tortious interference with contract

(count one); tortious inducement of a breach of the fiduciary duty of loyalty

(count two); and unfair competition (count three). Plaintiffs also sought punitive

damages and counsel fees.

      On November 3, 2016, the trial court entered the OTSC. On December

23, 2016, the court entered an order granting plaintiffs' request for injunctive

relief and enjoined and restrained defendants "from using or disclosing any of

[p]laintiffs' confidential information."

      Due to Terrero and Applewood's repeated violations of the court's order,

a second OTSC was entered by the court on January 23, 2017. On February 13,

2017, plaintiffs filed a verified amended complaint to add NCP as a defendant.

                                                                               A-0257-19
                                           10
On February 16, 2017, Jeffrey Malatesta, Esq., former counsel for Terrero and

Applewood, wrote a letter to the court withdrawing previous correspondence he

submitted as "not accurate." At his deposition, Malatesta testified Ryerson and

Terrero admitted to violating the court's December 23, 2016 order and soliciting

NCCM clients. On March 2, 2017, the trial court denied plaintiffs' application

to hold these defendants in contempt but ordered them to comply with the

December 23, 2016 order. The court also directed Comcast, the utility provider

for defendants, to transfer certain phone numbers from defendants and back to

plaintiffs.

      On March 7, 2017, plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint to add

Ryerson as a defendant. On March 30, 2017, the court granted plaintiffs'

application for injunctive relief against NCP and Ryerson. Following a period

of discovery, on February 20, 2018, plaintiffs filed a third amended complaint

to include additional counts for breach of contract, defamation, and fraud.

Zenith moved for summary judgment to dismiss plaintiffs' allegations against it

with prejudice. On April 24, 2018, the court granted Zenith's motion in part and

dismissed counts two, tortious interference with contract, and four, unfair

competition, against it.

                                                                          A-0257-19
                                      11
      At trial, Woloshin testified that Ryerson persuaded virtually all of

NCCM's clients to leave NCCM. Plaintiffs also presented expert testimony from

Philip C. Kempisty, CPA. Kempisty testified he was able to identify forty-seven

NCCM clients who terminated their relationship with NCCM—twenty-nine of

those clients commenced their relationship with NCP before the sale to NCCM.

Based upon a formula on "mutually agreed value" utilized by Woloshin and

Ryerson, initial maximum purchase paid amounts, lost commissions, and other

variables, Kempisty testified plaintiffs' damages totaled $553,609. Kempistry

opined Ryerson and Terrero worked in unison "for a common purpose," which

included "shared revenue," "shared office resources," and "shared client and

prospect lists taken from NCCM and Protected."

      Ryerson did not proffer expert testimony at trial, and thus Kempisty's

opinions were uncontroverted. Plaintiffs called Ryerson as a witness in their

case-in-chief. He acknowledged under the terms of the APA he was required to

maintain confidentiality of NCCM's clients, its employers, contractors, and

associates; he would not modify documents without prior approval; and he

would not solicit clients or interfere with existing employees, contractors or

associates. Ryerson testified he did not recall signing the confidentiality and

restrictive covenant agreement and could not find the document.

                                                                         A-0257-19
                                     12
      Ryerson also testified Applewood was formed on December 24, 2015,

with his wife Lisa Lieb and Terrero, but he claimed it was Terrero's business.

Ryerson thought he was underpaid and should sever ties with Woloshin in

August 2016. Admittedly, Ryerson started a competing financial advisory firm

under his belief that he was not subject to any restrictive covenants.

      Terrero, Malatesta, Lisa Ryerson, Lugo, and Peter Colicchia, an NCCM

employee, testified at trial. Colicchia testified Ryerson mentioned to him that

he was planning to quit "pretty much on a daily basis" and Colicchia was

responsible to find a new location for NCCM. Ryerson told Colicchia "he was

doing some backup" to the server in case anything was lost in the move. On the

last day of trial, July 25, 2018, the court reserved decision.

      On April 2, 2019, the court rendered its oral decision. The court found

Ryerson signed the APA and the Consulting Agreement on February 28, 2018.

By clear and convincing evidence, the court found Ryerson also signed the

Restrictive Covenant based upon the "totality of the circumstances" and

"conduct of the parties over the period of eight years." The court hig hlighted

the Non-Compete Agreement signed by Woloshin and Ryerson "contained a

provision by which Mr. Ryerson agreed to sign the [R]estrictive [C]ovenant."

In addition, the court determined Woloshin was "a very credible witness"

                                                                         A-0257-19
                                        13
particularly "in light of the history of the relationship." Woloshin testified

Ryerson "definitely" signed the Restrictive Covenant because NJBS "needed

that document to be signed." And, Ryerson "didn't deny that he signed it."

      The trial court emphasized Ryerson agreed to a two-year period after his

termination from NCCM not to solicit its clients directly or indirectly. The court

noted the Restrictive Covenant was "limited in scope" and could only be read

one way—rejecting Ryerson's argument that the two-year period started to run

after the APA expired. And, the court stressed the "[v]ery plain language"

contained in the Restrictive Covenant, was written by Ryerson's attorney. The

court found the three agreements were "reasonable" and entered "between two

commercial sophisticated parties."

      In its conclusion, the court found plaintiffs prevailed on all counts of their

second amended complaint except the defamation claim. A memorializing order

was entered. On August 27, 2019, the court clarified its previous oral decision

and found Ryerson, Terrero, NCP, Applewood, and NCI jointly and severally

liable for the sum of $226,404.26 in compensatory damages and $17,559.25 in

prejudgment interest. The court also awarded plaintiffs counsel fees incurred

for the duration of the case; Ryerson and NCP were liable for the entire

                                                                              A-0257-19
                                       14
$277,069.81 amount; Terrero, Applewood, and NCI were liable for $76,064 of

that amount. A final amended judgment was entered.

      On appeal, Ryerson raises the following points in his counseled brief:

            I.     THE      TRIAL  COURT   ERRED    IN
                   CONFERRING RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS
                   AGAINST DEFENDANT RYERSON IN
                   RELATION TO SOLICITING PLAINTIFF[S].
                   (Raised below).

            II.    THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN FAILING TO
                   REDUCE THE COMPENSATORY AWARD
                   GIVEN TO PLAINTIFFS BY THE ONGOING
                   COST OF DOING BUSINESS, THEREBY
                   ALLOWING PLAINTIFF[S] A WINDFALL OR
                   OTHERWISE     MISCALCULATED     THE
                   COMPENSATORY DAMAGES AWARD BY
                   MISCONSTRUING      NET    AND GROSS
                   REVENUES. (Raised below).

            III.   THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN FAILING TO
                   REDUCE ATTORNEY'S FEES ASSOCIATED
                   WITH     THE      PROSECUTION       OF
                   PLAINTIFF[S'] CASE. (Raised below).

      In his pro se supplemental reply letter brief, Ryerson failed to comply with

Rules 2:6-5 and 2:6-(6) by not providing point headings delineating his legal

arguments. And, for the first time on appeal, Ryerson raises a new argument:

the trial court did not have subject matter jurisdiction because plaintiffs' "proper

legal remedy was binding arbitration in NYC." Procedurally, a party is not

permitted to raise new or expended arguments in a reply brief. Pannucci v.

                                                                              A-0257-19
                                        15
Edgewood Park Senior Hous. - Phase 1, LLC, 465 N.J. Super. 403, 410-11 (App.

Div. 2020) (citing State v. Smith, 55 N.J. 476, 488 (1970)) (stating a party is not

permitted to use a reply brief to enlarge the main argument or to advance a new

argument); see also Borough of Berlin v. Remington & Vernick Eng'rs., 337 N.J.

Super. 590, 596 (App. Div. 2001) ("Raising an issue for the first time in a reply

brief is improper."). Thus, we deem the issues raised in Ryerson's supplemental

letter reply brief to be waived.

                                        II.

      We first address the argument raised about the validity of the Restrictive

Covenant. Appellate review of a judge's decision following a bench trial is

limited. Our standard of review requires that we uphold the trial judge's factual

findings, provided they are "supported by adequate, substantial and credible

evidence." Rova Farms Resort, Inc. v. Invs. Ins. Co. of Am., 65 N.J. 474, 484

(1974). Thus, "we do not disturb the factual findings and legal conclusions of

the trial judge unless we are convinced that they are so manifestly unsupported

by or inconsistent with the competent, relevant and reasonably credible evidence

as to offend the interests of justice." Seidman v. Clifton Sav. Bank, S.L.A., 205

N.J. 150, 169 (2011) (quoting In re Tr. Created By Agreement Dated Dec. 20,

1961, 194 N.J. 276, 284 (2008)).

                                                                             A-0257-19
                                       16
      Credibility    determinations     receive   "particular    deference,"    RAB

Performance Recoveries, LLC v. George, 419 N.J. Super. 81, 86 (App. Div.

2011), because of the position of the trial judge to observe witnesses and hear

them testify, Cesare v. Cesare, 154 N.J. 394, 412 (1998). However, the "trial

court's interpretation of the law and the legal consequences that flow from

established facts are not entitled to any special deference." Manalapan Realty,

L.P. v. Comm. of Manalapan, 140 N.J. 366, 378, (1995).

      Non-competition covenants, while enforceable, are scrutinized closely

because they operate in derogation of free competition and the individual's right

to exploit his or her skills and labor. A non-compete provision is not valid if its

only purpose is to restrict competition, but it may be valid to the extent it furthers

some other legitimate goal. See Solari Indus., Inc. v. Malady, 55 N.J. 571, 576

(1970); Whitmyer Bros. v. Doyle, 58 N.J. 25, 36 (1971). Courts considering

non-compete covenants recognize that a business has a legitimate interest "in

protecting trade secrets, confidential information, and customer relations."

Campbell Soup Co. v. Desatnick, 58 F. Supp. 2d 477, 489 (D.N.J. 1999) (quoting

Ingersoll-Rand Co. v. Ciavatta, 110 N.J. 609, 628 (1988)).

      New Jersey courts have considered covenants not to compete executed in

connection with an employment contract and those signed incident to the sale of

                                                                                A-0257-19
                                         17
a business. Restrictive covenants ancillary to an employment agreement are

enforceable only insofar as they are reasonable under the circumstances. Solari,

55 N.J. at 576; Whitmyer, 58 N.J. at 32. In Solari, the Court enunciated a three-

part standard for determining the enforceability of such covenants: (1) it must

protect an employer's legitimate interest; (2) it may not impose an undue

hardship on the employee; and (3) it must not harm public interest. 55 N.J. at

576.    Even if found to be enforceable, a covenant "may be limited in its

application concerning its geographical area, its period of enforceability, and its

scope of activity," sometimes referenced as the "blue pencil" rule. Coskey's

T.V. & Radio Sales & Serv. v. Foti, 253 N.J. Super. 626, 634 (App. Div. 1992)

(citing Solari, 55 N.J. at 585).

        As we recognized in ADP, LLC v. Kusins, 460 N.J. Super. 368, 402 (App.

Div. 2019), after a court analyzes the relevant factors, a restrictive covenant may

be "given 'total or partial enforcement to the extent reasonable under the

circumstances.'" (quoting Whitmyer, 58 N.J. at 32).          Our Supreme Court

replaced a void per se rule in favor of a rule which allows courts to "limit or

'blue-pencil' the application of [a restrictive covenant] in terms of the

geographical area, period of enforceability, and scope of prohibited activity."

Ibid.

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                                       18
      In contrast to restrictive covenants ancillary to an employment agreement,

"covenants ancillary to the sale of a business are accorded far more latitude."

Coskey's, 253 N.J. Super. at 633. Sound reasons explain the difference in

treatment:

             [I]f a retail store is purchased at a particular location,
             the seller receives payment for the good will generated
             at that location, recognizing that customers would be
             inclined to continue shopping at the facility. See Heuer
             v. Rubin, 1 N.J. 251, 256 (1949). For the seller to
             thereafter trade on that good will by reopening within
             the competitive area would destroy the essence of the
             transaction.

             [Ibid.]

"[N]oncompetitive agreements . . . have a proper place and are enforceable under

appropriate circumstances.       Thus[,] a seller's incidental noncompetitive

covenant, which is designed to protect the good will of the business for the

buyer, is freely enforceable in the courts." Solari, 55 N.J. at 576.

      Ryerson argues that because plaintiffs could not produce a signed copy of

the Restrictive Covenant, he is not bound by it. And even if enforceable, the

Restrictive Covenant is overly broad to the extent it prevents soliciting

"prospective customers." Ryerson further asserts that NCCM's failure to assign

the agreements to Protected indicates he had no contractual relationship with

Protected and thereby, the damage award should be reduced.                In addition,

                                                                                A-0257-19
                                        19
Ryerson contends that because the APA expired in 2012, any restriction could

not have been ancillary to the sale of a business. We disagree.

      Ryerson cites Leodori v. CIGNA Corp., 175 N.J. 293, 305 (2003), for the

principle that omission of one's "signature is a significant factor in determining

whether the two parties reached an agreement."          However, the very next

sentence in Leodori clarifies that a party may still be bound when "some other

explicit indication that the employee intended to abide by that provision" exists.

Ibid. Here, the trial court detailed that such indications abound. Ryerson offers

no countervailing facts that would cause us to reverse this finding. Moreover,

Ryerson ignores the fact the underlying transaction was subject to NJBS

approval; the Restrictive Covenant had to be signed; and Woloshin "credibly

testified" Ryerson signed it. The record supports the trial court's decision.

      Ryerson also argues he "[e]arnestly believe[ed] that he was not subject to

any restrictive covenants." Throughout the litigation, and reiterated on appeal,

Ryerson maintains the Restrictive Covenant expired at the same time as the

APA—in February 2012. Again, we disagree.

      The restrictions on solicitation of NCCM clients contained in the

consulting agreement were to "survive the one year past the later of the end of

the term [Ryerson] serve[s] as a [c]onsultant to [NCCM], or [the] end of the

                                                                            A-0257-19
                                       20
[APA]."      In the face of this language, Ryerson maintains the prohibition

terminated with the expiration of payments under the APA. The trial court

explained:

              These restrictions remained in effect for the latter of
              one year after the termination of . . . Ryerson's
              consulting relationship with . . . NCCM or at the end of
              the [APA] between NCCM and NCP. Not both, either.
              The [d]efense'[s] . . . arguments . . . made no sense to
              me in 2016, made no sense to me in 2017, made no
              sense to me in 2018, make no sense to me now in 2019.
              These obligations . . . "shall survive the termination of
              your association with the company." And Ryerson's
              association with the company unequivocally,
              unmistakably continued until August 22, 2016. It's an
              absolutely crystal-clear determination.

              [(Emphasis added).]

      Ryerson's own emails admitted into evidence cast further doubt as to the

veracity of any earnest belief about the duration of the Restrictive Covenant. As

the trial court recounted, while planning out Applewood's business, Ryerson

specifically stated that Terrero would have to serve as the "day-to-day account

manager" because Ryerson himself was subject to a Restrictive Covenant. We

conclude the trial court's determination the agreements remained in effect until

Ryerson departed NCCM in August 2016 is based upon substantial credible

evidence in the record. The court correctly determined that the "agreements

                                                                           A-0257-19
                                        21
were aimed to protect a legitimate business interest and customer relationships

and sources of future business referrals."

      Ryerson also argues the Restrictive Covenant was not ancillary to the sale

of a business and thus subject to a more exacting legal standard not employed

by the trial court. He also maintains that the Restrictive Covenant's prohibition

on soliciting "prospective clients" is overbroad warranting reversal. Ryerson's

argument is devoid of merit.

      The trial court found the agreements were all negotiated ancillary to the

sale of Ryerson's business to Woloshin. The court fundamentally disagreed with

defendants' position "that this was somehow not a sale of the business. Nothing

could be further from the truth in the documents." The court explained that

"when you get into covenants like this, they're enforceable in an employment

circumstance, but they're even given stricter and . . . more powers when they are

ancillary to the sale of a business."

      Applying the three-part Solari test, the trial court aptly found the

Restrictive Covenant was designed to protect NCCM and Woloshin's "legitimate

interest in its customer relationship[s], [and] sources of future business

referrals." It is beyond cavil that businesses have a legitimate interest "in

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protecting trade secrets, confidential information, and customer relations."

Ingersoll-Rand, 110 N.J. at 628.

      The trial court also properly found the Restrictive Covenant "was limited

in scope" because it was

              [t]ailored to ensure [it was] no broader than necessary
              to protect Woloshin's customer relationships. . . .

                     The restriction was customer-based. It was easy
              to determine.       There was a limited number of
              customers. [Ryerson] and . . . Terrero could have
              solicited any other customer in the world other than . . .
              Woloshin's customers. They didn't.

      The question of hardship focuses on the adverse impact that compliance

with the covenant will have. Here, the record contains no credible evidence of

compliance.     Moreover, because the Restrictive Covenant was drawn so

narrowly by applying only to Woloshin's current and potential clients, the

covenant cannot be construed as injurious to the public.

      Ryerson's overbreadth argument also lacks merit.              He claims the

Restrictive Covenant's restrictions on prospective customers are unenforceable.

In support of his argument, Ryerson cites a Law Division case, which he

contends stands for the proposition that restrictive covenants covering

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prospective customers are per se overbroad. 2 Here, in contrast, the Restrictive

Covenant specifically defines "prospective [c]ompany client" as "any and all

individuals or entities identified and/or contacted by [or who contacts] [NCCM]

for the purpose of becoming a[n] [NCCM] client within the [twenty-four] month

period prior to the termination of [Ryerson's] employment/association." (Second

alteration in original). Thus, potential clients are readily identifiable, and the

trial court correctly determined the Restrictive Covenant is not overbroad.

                                        III.

      Next, Ryerson argues the trial court erred by relying on plaintiffs'

economic expert, Kempisty, when computing compensatory damages.                   In

particular, Ryerson contends Kempisty incorrectly computed "net revenue."

Because Woloshin paid sixty-four percent of all commissions to Ryerson, he

contends Woloshin's remaining "profit-margin" was twenty-six percent.

      The record shows Kempisty based his analysis on NCCM's prior revenue

from the forty-seven clients that left plaintiffs' business as a result of Ryerson's

actions. Kempisty determined that NCCM lost $129,957.32 in fees, $84,420.98

in lost insurance and annuity commissions, for a "total [n]et revenue" loss of

2
   Ryerson miscites and misattributes the quote in his brief. The appropriate
citation is Platinum Mgmt., Inc. v. Dahms, 285 N.J. Super. 274, 298 (Law Div.
1995).
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                                        24
$214,378.30. He also calculated a present valued three-year projected revenue

loss.

        The trial court found Kempisty "to be a very competent witness," and his

analysis was "based upon . . . a thorough review of this entire record."

Kempisty's assessments were "down to the dollar" and not . . . abstract figures.

The court thoroughly reviewed Kempisty's calculations and awarded plaintiffs

the net revenue loss of $214,378.30,3 approximately one-half of the amount they

requested. While it was a "close call," rather than award the "economically

sound" three-year loss projection, the court chose to extend the term of the

Restrictive Covenant instead. We discern no error.

                                       IV.

        Next, Ryerson argues the trial court erred by imposing the common law

duty of loyalty on him. Further, if the duty were to apply, Ryerson contends his

liability for any damages should be reduced since most of the "transactions"

between defendants and plaintiffs' clients occurred after his employment ended.

        "An employee's duty of loyalty to his or her employer goes beyond

refraining from privately soliciting the employer's customers while still

3
  From this figure, the trial court excluded $245.04, representing a commission
earned on Terrero's own IRA account.
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employed. The duty of loyalty prohibits the employee from taking affirmative

steps to injure the employer's business." Lamorte Burns & Co. v. Walters, 167

N.J. 285, 305 (2001). An employee has a specific duty not to compete with his

or her current employer. Cameco, Inc. v. Gedicke, 157 N.J. 504, 517-18 (1999).

Four factors determine "whether an employee-agent" breached the duty of

loyalty:

            1) the "existence of contractual provisions" relevant to
            the employee's actions; 2) the employer's knowledge of,
            or agreement to, the employee's actions; 3) the "status
            of the employee and his or her relationship to the
            employer," e.g., corporate officer or director versus
            production line worker; and 4) the "nature of the
            employee's [conduct] and its effect on the employer."

            [Kaye v. Rosefielde, 223 N.J. 218, 230 (2015)
            (alteration in original) (quoting Cameco, 157 N.J. at
            521-22).]

Further, "[t]he egregiousness of the employee's conduct may affect the

determination of both the commission of a breach and the appropriate remedy."

Cameco, 157 N.J. at 517.

      Here, aside from the enforceable agreements, Ryerson breached the

common law duty of loyalty. At no time did Woloshin know of or consent to

Ryerson's actions to abscond with NCCM client data or directly compete for the

same clients. As an outside consultant in a financial services company, Ryerson

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had sufficient access and ability to render plaintiffs vulnerable.           Most

importantly, the severe, pervasive, and egregious nature of Ryerson's actions

weigh heavily toward finding a breach of the duty of loyalty. As the trial court

observed, defendants "hatched [a plan] to systematically destroy NCCM and all

of its business relationships." This included "stealing" NCCM's client data,

confidential files, and Woloshin's client telephone numbers.

      Ryerson's assertion of a pre-termination and post-termination transition-

based approach to the duty of loyalty is untethered to the law or facts here.

Clearly, Ryerson's theft of plaintiffs' client data constituted a breach of duty of

loyalty to his employer.

      When and whether any former NCCM clients transacted business with

defendants after Ryerson's termination date is of no moment. Any insinuation

that the duty of loyalty is wholly inapplicable to independent contractors is

belied by our Supreme Court's persistent reference to "agents" in the context of

the duty and citations to the Restatements of Agency. See, e.g., Lamorte, 167

N.J. at 302 (alteration in original) (quoting Restatement (Second) of Agency §

393 (Am. L. Ins. 1958) ("Consistent with our approach to this common-law duty,

the Restatement (Second) Agency provides that '[u]nless otherwise agreed, an

agent is subject to a duty not to compete with the principal concerning the

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subject matter of his agency.'"); Kaye, 223 N.J. at 229 (quoting Restatement

(Third) of Agency § 8.01 (Am. L. Inst. 2005)) ("'[A]n agent has a fiduciary duty

to act loyally for the principal's benefit in all matters connected with the agency

relationship.'"). Therefore, we conclude the trial court duly found Ryerson

breached the common law duty of loyalty.

                                        V.

      Ryerson also contends the amount of attorney's fees and costs awarded

was unreasonable and disproportionate in light of the compensatory damage s

awarded. He further argues that the attorney's fee award should be reversed

because the trial court cited the factors contained in RPC 1.5(a) and the general

case law to be considered in assessing the reasonableness of the attorney's fee

but did not expressly apply any of the factors to the circumstances presented as

required by Rule 1:7-4. Plaintiffs maintain the trial court appropriately awarded

them all attorney's fees and costs from the commencement of the litigation

because their punitive damage claim was dismissed. We agree with Ryerson's

argument and remand for the court to address the RPC 1.5(a) factors.

      "[F]ee determinations by trial courts will be disturbed only on the rarest

of occasions, and then only because of a clear abuse of discretion." Rendine v.

Pantzer, 141 N.J. 292, 317 (1995).       We award attorney's fees only where

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"expressly provided for by statute, court rule, or contract." Litton Indus., Inc.

v. IMO Indus., Inc., 200 N.J. 372, 385 (2009) (quoting Packard-Bamberger Co.

v. Collier, 167 N.J. 427, 440 (2001)).

      The first step in determining the fee award is calculating the "lodestar,"

which is a reasonable hourly rate for counsel's services multiplied by the number

of hours reasonably expended. Walker v. Giuffre, 209 N.J. 124, 130-31 (2012).

Additionally, Rule 4:42-9(b) requires counsel to submit "an affidavit of services

addressing the factors enumerated by RPC 1.5(a)," as well as "a recitation of

other factors pertinent in the evaluation of the services rendered."

      If the court determines that the hours expended "'exceed those that

competent counsel would have expended to achieve a comparable result, a trial

court may exercise its discretion to exclude excessive hours from the lodestar

calculation.'" Packard-Bamberger, 167 N.J. at 446 (quoting Rendine, 141 N.J.

at 336). When the fee request "far exceeds the damages recovered, 'the trial

court should consider the damages sought and the damages actually recovered.'"

Litton, 200 N.J. at 387 (quoting Packard-Bamberger, 167 N.J. at 446). Indeed,

when the damages are disproportionately less than the fees sought, "the court

must consider that fact in determining the overall reasonableness of the

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attorney's fee award." Id. at 387-88. Ultimately, the "goal is to approve a

reasonable attorney's fee that is not excessive." Id. at 388.

      Next, trial courts must determine whether the time spent "in pursuit of the

'interests to be vindicated,' the 'underlying statutory objectives,' and recoverable

damages is equivalent to the time 'competent counsel reasonably would have

expended to achieve a comparable result . . . .'" Furst v. Einstein Moomjy, Inc.,

182 N.J. 1, 22 (2004) (alteration in original) (quoting Rendine, 141 N.J. at 336).

Further, when "the fee requested far exceeds the damages recovered, 'the trial

court should consider the damages sought and the damages actually recovered.'"

Litton, 200 N.J. at 387 (quoting Packard-Bamberger & Co., 167 N.J. at 546).

However, "proportionality between the damages recovered and the attorney-fee

award itself" is not required. Furst,182 N.J. at 23. Ultimately, a reviewing court

"disturb[s] a trial court's determination on counsel fees only on the 'rarest

occasion,' and then only because of clear abuse of discretion."         Strahan v.

Strahan, 402 N.J. Super. 298, 317 (App. Div. 2008) (quoting Rendine, 141 N.J.

at 317).

      RPC 1.5(a) delineates the factors to be considered by the court in

determining the reasonableness of counsel fees:

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            (1) the time and labor required, the novelty and
            difficulty of the questions involved, and the skill
            requisite to perform the legal service properly;

            (2) the likelihood, if apparent to the client, that the
            acceptance of the particular employment will preclude
            other employment by the lawyer;

            (3) the fee customarily charged in the locality for
            similar legal services;

            (4) the amount involved and the results obtained;

            (5) the time limitations imposed by the client or by the
            circumstances;

            (6) the nature and length of the professional
            relationship with the client;

            (7) the experience, reputation, and ability of the lawyer
            or lawyers performing the services;

            (8) whether the fee is fixed or contingent.

      The Consulting Agreement provides that should NCCM become a party

to litigation through an act or omission of Ryerson's, he "agree[d] to defend,

indemnify and hold harmless [NCCM], its officers, members, employees and/or

agents, from any and all settlements, judgments, awards, attorneys['] fees and

costs."   And the Restrictive Covenant provides that, in the event Ryerson

"violate[d] or threaten[ed] to violate" any of the agreements' restrictions, NCCM

"shall be entitled to . . . money damages . . . including, without limitation, all

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                                       31
reasonable costs and attorneys' fees incurred by [NCCM] in enforcing the

provisions of this [a]greement."      We agree with the trial court that these

agreements entitled plaintiffs to an award of reasonable attorney's fees and costs .

      The court found Ryerson and Terrero "blatantly violated" the initial

injunctive orders. Their subsequent misrepresentations required plaintiffs to file

additional OTSCs, contempt motions, and compelled the deposition of

Applewood's prior counsel. As the court noted, had defendants been "truthful

in their representations to the [c]ourt even once[,] there would be no need for all

that motion practice and hearings." Rather, plaintiffs had to "expend time, effort

and money . . . to ensure compliance with the [c]ourt's directives."

      Further, the trial court determined that Ryerson and Terrero's conduct was

sufficient to warrant a punitive damages award. Indeed, the trial court stated it

had "never seen a case where there was more willful conduct." However, to

"adequately compensate [plaintiffs] for the loss," the court in its discretion opted

instead of punitive damages to award counsel fees since the commencement of

the litigation.

      On appeal, Ryerson concedes he "admitted to almost all of the alleged

misconduct openly." While Woloshin is "entitled to spend any amount he

wishes in a free market on attorneys," Ryerson maintains a fee award exceeding

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                                        32
the compensatory damages would yield an unreasonable windfall. He requests

the fee award "be reduced to reflect an amount consistent with the efforts needed

to prove the material facts of this case," and that plaintiffs overpaid for legal

representation.

      In sum, we affirm the trial court's September 9, 2019 amended order of

judgment and compensatory damage award to plaintiffs. We vacate the trial

court's September 9, 2019 amended judgment as to the award of attorney's fees

and costs and remand for the court to address the RPC 1.5(a) factors and issues

addressed in our opinion associated with its fee award.

      To the extent we have not addressed any of the parties' arguments it is

because we find them without sufficient merit to warrant discussion in a written

opinion. R. 2:11-3(e)(1)(E).

      Affirmed in part, vacated in part, and remanded.        We do not retain

jurisdiction.

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