Ex-Thelen Lawyers Granted Class Certification
Lawyers and staff for the now-defunct firm Thelen have won class certification of their suit claiming the firm failed to give federally required 60 days notice that it would close its doors.
The WARN Act suit filed in the days before the firm closed Nov. 30 is being led by three former Thelen associates and another California-based staffer, the National Law Journal (reg. req.) reports. It seeks damages under the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) and California’s version of the Act.
Thelen stipulated to class certification, a move praised by Steven A. Blum, who represents former Thelen employees.
“Thelen law firm was wise enough to see that it made sense to stipulate to class certification so its employees can receive the benefits they are owed in the most administratively efficient method,” Blum is quoted saying.
Blum also noted that if Thelen can’t pay, he will pursue other firms that have picked up large groups from Thelen. Those firms could be considered successor companies, liable under labor laws to make good on Thelen’s obligations.
Also See:
ABAJournal.com: “Law Firms, Other Employers Battle New Enforcement of WARN Layoff Rules”
