The suit alleges that the firm’s shareholders failed to give the legally required 60 days notice of layoffs. They seek accrued vacation, severance cash, and penalties under the WARN Act.

The over 800 ex-employees are represented by Los Angeles-based litigation boutique Blum Collins.

Founded in San Francisco in 1890, Heller Ehrman LLP was an international law firm of more than 730 attorneys in 15 offices in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

In September 2008, the firm encountered troubles after losing 15 intellectual property partners to Covington & Burling, which led to the collapse of merger talks with Mayer Brown. A total of 50 partners had left the firm in 2008. The firm dissolved in November 2008.

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Thelen announced its dissolution on October 30th, and laid off most of its employees on November 30th.

The suit, filed November 24th by three former associates and one former staff member, alleges that under the WARN Act Thelen should have paid its employees their salaries, bonuses and other compensation, plus allowed for 401(k) contributions and health insurance coverage, during the 60 days following the initial announcement of its dissolution.

The employees also are seeking unpaid vacation pay.

If successful the plaintiffs, who are seeking class certification, could obtain an award of several million dollars.

In a list provided by Thelen, about 240 former employees — 60 associates, 20 counsel and 163 staff members — are identified as putative members of the class.

Steven Blum of Los Angeles-based Blum Collins, who represents the plaintiffs, said that list doesn’t include California employees, who could number hundreds more.

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