Adam Ellicson v. Oden Machinery, Inc. — 7th Cir. (Sep 15, 2026)

No. 25-3181 Argued September 15, 2026 Published September 26, 2026

The Seventh Circuit hears Adam Ellicson's appeal against his former employer, Oden Machinery, and its executive Jeff Mantyk. NJM Packaging offered Ellicson a new sales job. Oden then sent NJM a letter saying Ellicson's noncompete barred him from competing nationwide, although the agreement limited that ban to territories assigned to him. NJM stopped the hiring process, and Ellicson sued for interference with his prospective job. The district court dismissed the claim against Mantyk and later granted Oden summary judgment, finding its letter a good-faith effort to protect contractual rights. Ellicson will ask the appeals court to let a jury consider whether Oden knowingly overstated the restriction and whether Mantyk can be personally liable.

Adam Ellicson v. Oden Machinery, Inc. (No. 25-3181) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, argued September 15, 2026.

Sources

Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105):https://media.ca7.uscourts.gov/sound/external/ch.25-3181.25-3181_09_15_2026.mp3

Argument listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit:https://media.ca7.uscourts.gov/oralArguments/oar.jsp?amonth=09%2F2026&aMonth=List+case%28s%29

N.D. Ill. summary-judgment opinion:https://cases.justia.com/federal/district-courts/illinois/ilndce/1%3A2022cv02113/414466/126/0.pdf

N.D. Ill. motion-to-dismiss order:https://www.casemine.com/judgement/us/649bb76e32898b72d5d148fb

Seventh Circuit docket:https://dockets.justia.com/docket/circuit-courts/ca7/25-3181

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