Law Firms
Ex-Thelen Employees Try Novel Theory in Suit Against Hiring Firms
Former Thelen employees are relying on a novel legal theory in their $18 million lawsuit against five law firms that hired some lawyers from the dissolved law firm.
The plaintiffs claim the hiring law firms purchased a portion of Thelen’s business, and are obligated to pay wages due under the federal WARN Act, which requires 60 days’ notice before a closing, the Recorder reports. Staffers only received 30 days’ notice, and they are seeking $6 million for the suit’s WARN Act claim.
The defendants are Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe; DLA Piper; Nixon Peabody; Howrey; and Morgan Lewis & Bockius. They claim there was no merger and they have no obligations under the WARN Act.
Wednesday is the anniversary of Thelen’s collapse, the story says.
