I suspect the intern was using that as an excuse to go somewhere else. Usually, when this situation occurs, the prior firm's lawyers immediately send a notice

I suspect the intern was using that as an excuse to go somewhere else. Usually, when this situation occurs, the prior firm's lawyers immediately send a notice of intent to file an injuction as well as a statement that the new firm must retain all data pertaining to that hire, as they may be required to disclose it at a later time. My wife is currently going through a non-compete negotiation, and she and most of my friends work in the finance industry here in Chicago, where this comes up for almost every employee who does decent work and tries to change employers.