The State of New York requires attorneys to be licensed to practice law in the state.Ally was an attorney, who was licensed to practice law in the State of New York.After seven years of dating, Ally and her fianc, Alex, were to be married.Two months after the marriage, Ally decided she had enough of listening to clients' complaints and placed an advertisement to sell her practice.She also informed the other attorneys in the office that she was planning on selling her business.Todd, another attorney at her firm, offered to purchase her law firm for $250,000, which she accepted.They drew up the paperwork and included a non-compete whereby Ally promised that she would not open up another law firm within 20 miles of the prior location of her business for the next 8 years. The day after Ally sold the business, her and Alex went on a two-month vacation.

Todd continued practicing law for the next five years and decided that he was ready to retire.He then put the law firm up for sale and Taylor, a paralegal, thought it would be great to buy Todd's business and offered him $325,000.Todd accepted and Taylor paid a portion of the money.A year before Todd sold his business, Ally was bored and missed practicing law so she decided to open up another law firm that was within 19 miles of her previous law firm.To date, Taylor refused to pay Todd the balance of the money for the sale of the business.Todd sued both Ally and Taylor for breach of contracts.How would the court decide the matter between Taylor and Todd and how would the court decide the matter between Todd and Ally?

chapter 15 Legality and Public Policy