Laid-Off Heller Associates Vent Feelings of Worry and Anger

Heller Ehrman associates among the second round of staffers laid off on Friday are worried about finances and insurance—and feeling some anger.

Most of Heller’s remaining staff received an e-mail last Thursday telling them that Friday would be their last day at the law firm. Some associates described their feelings in interviews with the Daily Journal (sub. req.).

"This has got to be one of the worst things that's ever happened to me," said a New York associate who hasn’t found a new job. "I live paycheck to paycheck, literally. I have a mortgage and kids."

A San Francisco associate vented his feelings. "I'm not depressed, but I feel a lot of anger toward the leadership, and I feel betrayed," he said.

A San Francisco associate who had just returned from maternity leave was worried about health insurance coverage. "This election, with all the health care issues, has become very, very real for a lot of us, because we will have our benefits terminated at the end of the month," she said.