Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg Asks: Did Dewey & LeBoeuf Violate The WARN Act?

PHILADELPHIA, May 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite the notices given to employees last Friday by Dewey & LeBoeuf, the firm may still be in violation of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act ("WARN Act") or corresponding state laws, if the firm closes and/or lays off employees before the requisite notification period expires.  

Charles A. Ercole, Esquire, a partner with the law firm of Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg LLP, who has defended and prosecuted numerous WARN Act cases, said it is often too late when an employer finally realizes its obligations under state and federal law.  "Many times, the employee is the last to know and be told because the employer is focused solely on saving or selling the business.  The WARN Act was a compromise law that only requires that the employer give 60 days notice prior to a closing or mass layoff.  It is not difficult to comply with, but employers [like Dewey & LeBoeuf] often fail to do so." 

Mr. Ercole is continuing to monitor and investigate the circumstances of Dewey & LeBoeuf's situation to determine whether WARN Act violations have occurred.  Damages for failing to comply with the WARN Act include 60 days wages and fringe benefits for each employee (90 days under New York state law).

Klehr Harrison is a full service law firm located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Mr. Ercole is the head of the labor and employment practice and his group has pursued WARN Act cases in various industries.  The firm has an extensive bankruptcy practice as well which allows it to effectively litigate WARN Act cases in the unique forum of bankruptcy court.  If you have any questions, please contact Charles A. Ercole at the address below:

Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg LLP
1835 Market Street – Suite 1400
Philadelphia, PA 19103

SOURCE Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg LLP