If I were doing this, the first thing I would do is consult a lawyer, giving them whatever contracts or other paperwork you signed with your old company, along

If I were doing this, the first thing I would do is consult a lawyer, giving them whatever contracts or other paperwork you signed with your old company, along with (possibly - if you were allowed to keep them) your old employee handbooks for that company. That would allow you to have information to take the next step (or warn you not to do anything at all!). That next step would be - perhaps with the help of the lawyer - to draft a letter to your old company outlining what you intended to do, why, your boundaries, your intentions, etc. What would be dicey with this would be being able to do it in such a way that doesn't cause your former employer to go into "full lockdown" mode and sick their lawyers on you for whatever reason. Depending on their size and the stakes, they could potentially sue you in a SLAPP-like manner - not to win, mind you, but just to exhaust your resources and will to proceed. After all, if you are wrapped up in a lawsuit, you are not likely to be coding any of the projects... If the company you worked for was small - then maybe the way to approach it might be more informally - ask the owner or whatnot out to a beer or dinner, and lay things out informally (no paperwork or nothing - just a friendly chat) - and that could hash out or give you a feel as to how you can proceed more formerly, if it's required (again - lawyer consultation will help on how to do this). Once you know things - especially if it were just an informal chat - make sure you get any permission or whatever in writing; don't just go on a friendly handshake. Provided you have zero old code and zero old assets (graphics, sounds, data, documents, etc) - and you make an effort to not go "full clone mode" - then you should be in the clear. Still, they could come back at you - it's not something cut and dry. Also - if you are employed elsewhere - make sure what you are doing isn't going to infringe anything you signed at the new employer; again - use your lawyer. If this all seems way too much work, or too expensive, or whatever - then STOP. Don't even go down that route, and build your portfolio another way, with your own ideas and such. Because if you aren't willing to put in the due diligence needed to protect yourself in this kind of a situation, you have no business even trying - one minor (or major) mistake can really screw up your life, and without the legal advice and framework and understanding, you may not even know when you step into that morass.