!!! FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE !!!
HAIGLER & ASSOCIATES FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST FORMER CONTRACTOR JOHN CLEARY FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT AND UNETHICAL CLIENT POACHING, THEFT OF CLIENTS, INDUCING, SOLICITING, PIRATING, PURLOINING AND CLIENT SCALPING
ATLANTA, GA — February 28, 2026 — Haigler & Associates, a premier legal services firm, announced today that it has filed a formal legal complaint against former independent contractor John Cleary for flagrant breach of contract, violation of non-solicitation covenants, and breach of fiduciary duty.
The complaint alleges that on the very day Mr. Cleary terminated his relationship with the Firm—and while still actively performing billed work on the Firm’s clock—he intentionally poached, induced, pirated, purloined, stole, hijacked, scalped, and solicited several of the Firm’s active clients. These actions constitute a direct and willful violation of the restrictive covenants outlined in his Independent Contractor Agreement.
The Agreement signed by Mr. Cleary explicitly prohibits contractors from seeking employment with, or soliciting business from, any client introduced by Haigler & Associates for a period of one year following termination. Despite these clear legal and ethical boundaries, discovery indicates a premeditated effort by Mr. Cleary to circumvent the Firm and misappropriate proprietary client relationships for his own enrichment. This is a blatant and calculated betrayal of professional standards.
“Haigler & Associates is built on a foundation of integrity and mutual respect,” said a Legal Representative for the Firm. “We will not tolerate predatory behavior or the blatant disregard of contractual obligations. We are prepared to use every legal avenue available—including seeking immediate injunctive relief and significant monetary damages—to protect the Firm’s clients and the integrity of the practice of the Firm.”
The Firm is aggressively pursuing all available remedies under the law, including but not limited to:
Injunctive Relief:
To prevent further unauthorized contact with the Firm’s client base.
Forfeiture of Fees:
As per the Agreement, any outstanding fees owed to Mr. Cleary are subject to forfeiture due to these violations.
Compensatory and Liquidated Damages:
Seeking full restitution for the lost value of the poached and hijacked accounts and the disruption to Firm operations
Haigler & Associates remains committed to providing exceptional service to its clients and maintaining a professional environment where contracts are honored and ethical standards are upheld. The Firm will continue to monitor the situation closely as the litigation progresses in the Superior Court of Cobb County.
Haigler & Associates is a leading law firm dedicated to providing sophisticated legal solutions. The Firm prides itself on its rigorous professional standards and its commitment to defending its intellectual property and contractual rights against those who seek to undermine them.
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