hiring former employees

I recently had a forced resignation to which I agreed because they gave me a severance package. Part of the package (which I did not read well enough) was that I was not to solicit or hire any of my former employees. My new company hired one of my former employees and due to that the former employer withdrew the remainder of the severance package. They have stated that if I directly or indirectly solicit or hire former employees they will take legal action against me to regain previously paid portions of the severance and any legal fees. I signed a non-compete document and a resignation contract that stated this info. Will the former employer really have any legal grounds against me if former employees choose to leave my former employer and come work for my new employer? I work in Texas which is an at will state. Also I believe that the former employer may have set a precedent by allowing a former manager to hire employees after he left the comapny. The former manager left voluntarily but he had signed the same non-compete contract as me and they took no action against him.

They unfortunately may have some grounds if you signed and agreed but you might be able to void it depending on the facts, and the agreement...Please email WLD at info@worldlawdirect.com and reference [ tx non-com ]. WLD lawyers will help outline a strategy for you to deal with this. The post you made is on file with WLD staff.