While New Jersey lawmakers debate measures to limit the reach of employment noncompete agreements, litigation between employers and former employees accused of violating such pacts continues to surge.

In New Jersey, a fierce battle is being fought in the solar power industry, where employers have filed at least 10 suits against employees who left to join competing companies. Meanwhile, a measure to regulate noncompete clauses, A-1650, awaits passage by the Assembly after a 6-3 vote from its Labor Committee in February.