Had a non-compete (consulting). Employer was cool at my old workplace. We didn't have any super-proprietary knowledge or book of business to walk off with - so

Had a non-compete (consulting). Employer was cool at my old workplace. We didn't have any super-proprietary knowledge or book of business to walk off with - so generally they weren't enforced. But they needed it to protect the business and I can understand that. In my state, by law the contract can't cause 'undue difficulties'. You could prob make the case that were I to leave, it prevents me from working in my industry - I'd call that a good enough argument to go before a judge with, esp in a blue state.