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240 Thelen Ex-Associates, Staff Could Assert Claims Alleging
Violation of WARN Act
Amanda Bronstad
The National Law Journal
February 27, 2009

Thelen has identified about 240 potential former associates and staff members who could assert claims alleging that the firm violated the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act by failing to pay its employees adequate wages and vacation time in light of its Dec. 1, 2008, demise, according to court documents filed in a lawsuit this week. Bergman v. Thelen, No. 3:08-cv-05322 (N.D. Calif.).

Thelen announced its dissolution on Oct. 30 and laid off most of its employees on Nov. 30.

The suit, filed on Nov. 24 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,” according to the recent documents, which were filed in preparation for a case management conference set for March 3. In a list provided by Thelen, attached to the documents, about 240 former employees — 60
associates, 20 counsel and 163 staff members — are identified as
putative members of the class.

Steven Blum, a partner at Los Angeles-based Blum Collins, who represents the plaintiffs, said that list doesn’t include California employees, who could number hundreds more. He said he plans to add two more named plaintiffs, both in California, as part of a first amended complaint filed next week. “The effect of the amended complaint will be to add a California subclass,” he said.

Wayne Flick, a partner in the Los Angeles office of Latham & Watkins, who represents Thelen in the suit, did not return a call for comment. In the documents, Thelen maintained that the layoffs were the result of unforeseen business circumstances and that notifying its employees
would have hampered its ability to obtain financing.

JOB SUMMARY
CIVIL LEGAL SECRETARY

JOB SUMMARY:
This public sector legal department has approximately 50 employees and is located in Oakland. Working a 37.5-hour week, you will be providing a wide range of civil legal secretary support activities in the areas of litigation and legal transactional matters. Duties include civil legal document and correspondence preparation, calendaring, case/file management, court filings, and litigation activities. You will be part of a team and working in a fast-paced environment.

QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED:
 A minimum of 3 years experience as a litigation legal secretary for attorneys in a civil legal environment in the public or private sector. Tort litigation is preferred. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in: case management software applications; and preparing documents such as pleadings, briefs, legal memoranda, opinions and other documents containing extensive legal citations.

 Good knowledge of civil legal terminology, forms and documents; calendaring, indexing and file maintenance, and court filing procedures.

 Expertise in Microsoft Office Word (’03 or ’07)

 A minimum of 50 wpm typing speed

 Strong verbal and written communication skills

 Ability to work as part of a team.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
 Salary range is from $58K – $62K with a full range of excellent (public sector) benefits.

How to Apply:
Please forward a resume to: Becky L. Taylor, President, BLT Associates, Legal and Executive Recruiters, Oakland, CA at BLTaylorAssoc@comcast.net or by fax at (510) 632-4754.

Job Title: Administrative Clerk/Receptionist
Supervisor’s Title: SF Administrative Coordinator
Status: Non-Exempt
Location: San Francisco – this position depends upon the ability of the employee to work closely with attorneys, scientists, and staff members during regularly scheduled hours.

General Summary: Under direction, performs clerical and administrative tasks specific to position. Must be able to work cohesively within a team environment. This position requires the ability to work overtime, which often cannot be predicted in advance.

Responsibilities and Duties:
1. Reception
1.1. Answer incoming calls and route appropriately. Take messages and distribute in a timely manner.
1.2. Greet visitors, job applicants and vendors.
1.3. Ensure neatness of lobby and conference room areas.
1.4. Coordinate daily interoffice pouch.
1.5. Receive deliveries and route packages according to procedure.
1.6. Schedule couriers and other deliveries as requested.
1.7. Notify supervisor, building security, and/or police of emergency or security problems as required.

2. Administrative Duties:
2.1. Inventory and order office and kitchen supplies to maintain adequate stock.
2.2. Serve as SF office contact for various vendors placing service calls for building and equipment as required.
2.3. Process incoming and outgoing mail. Maintain cost entries according to established procedures.
2.4. Perform other administrative duties as requested.
2.5. Process incoming/outgoing pouch daily.

3. Assist Attorneys, IP Assistants and other office personnel with clerical duties as requested.
3.1. Type labels, memoranda, form letters, etc.
3.2. Ensure billable hours are input correctly into billing system. Assist with corrections to WIPS.
3.3. Update information database.
3.4. Search for and download documents as requested.
3.5. Proofread documents as requested.
3.6. Prepare and update status reports, binders and charts.
3.7. Lend support to the overall function of the office.

4. Work closely with SF Library Coordinator to provide library maintenance support.
4.1. Maintain inventory of incoming library materials.
4.2. Update collection according to standard procedure.
4.3. Distribute library copies and updates to attorneys.
4.4. Other library tasks as assigned by Coordinator.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
1. Knowledge of Outlook and MS Word required. Excel experience desired.
2. Must meet minimum testing requirements.
3. Following initial training, ability to operate office machines including computer, typewriter, photocopiers and fax machines.
4. Ability to pay attention to detail, follow procedures and work effectively with others.
5. Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
6. Must be able to lift and carry up to 35 pounds.

Education and Experience:
No legal experience required, however this is an intermediate level position requiring previous administrative/clerical experience.

Would somone kindly email us the FAQ mentioned in the above (or post it here) my email is powerdown@gmail.com.

Thanks