Restrictive covenants and non-compete agreements have been a frequent topic of this blog in recent months, and rightly so. Non-competitors are generally thought to be effective tools to help firms protect trade secrets and competitive advantages. However, these agreements are falling out of favor across the country – the DOJ recently files a Statement of Interest in a state court case taking the position that non-competites may violate the Sherman Antitrust Act. Further, states continue to pass laws limiting or banning the use of noncompete agreements, including Illinois, Oregon, Nevada, DCand Colorado. But one Texas court seems to buck this…