is there really no expiration date on a non compete contract?

I live in nj and have a small business. I hired 4 employees with no knowledge of them having contracts. I posted promotions on my business social media as well as purchased direct mailing to get my new hires busy. I received a ceist and assist letter stating that I was in violation That these employees had contracts and needed to be fired and that I needed to stop soliciting new clients. I hired an attorney and payed a lot of money not once did he say I needed to fire these people nor stop any of the promotions. He wrote a letter in rebuttal of the ceist and assist. Fast forward we received another letter stating they will be proceeding. How is it possible that a non compete in nj have no experiation date? You can commit a crime and there be a statue of limitations but nothing for a contract for employment. Most of the girls signed this thing from 7 to 5 yrs ago. Not only that 12 mile radius they can't work. That takes them out of the whole county that they established a career in. How can one contract be aloud to destroys someone career? Like nj needs more people on unemployment! I don't want to lose these people for something that makes no sense! I've contacted about 3 lawyers and not one seems to help! Their answer is they signed the contract. When they went for this job it wasn't explained you need to read this or maybe get a lawyer because this is binding. They weren't given copies. You go for a job you want the job and they filled out the paper work. They didn't know this was lifetime. They gave ample opportunities to the owner asking for more opportunity and they basically were told they are as far as they are going to go in this job. That wasn't good enough and now they lose out on their careers. Why does this not sound right at all?