I said in a majority of cases. The legality doesn't have to do with whether or not they're allowed by the state (they're allowed everywhere, even in California

I said in a majority of cases. The legality doesn't have to do with whether or not they're allowed by the state (they're allowed everywhere, even in California), but whether or not they can apply to the person signing the agreement. Courts uphold non-competes against managers moving to a competitor, workers taking client lists, former equity stakeholders, etc..., but almost never against low-level employees.