Charging that Harvard fired her because of her mental disability, a former journal editor is suing the University for discrimination, in a trial that opened in Middlesex County Superior Court last week.

Claire S. Kelleher, the former editor of The Review of Economics and Statistics, a publication of Harvard's Economics Department, is contesting her termination in August 1996 after 20 years at the position.

Kelleher, who was diagnosed with clinical depression after the death of her parents, claims the University's refusal to accommodate her disability was discriminatory. A second claim alleges that her termination was a retaliation for filing complaints both within the University and with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD).

"We deny discrimination and deny any liability," said University Attorney Allan A. Ryan Jr., who is defending the University in conjunction with Boston's Bingham Dana law firm.

Kelleher is suing the University based on the Massachusetts anti-discrimination statute that requires employers to make reasonable accommodations to qualified handicapped persons. The law recognizes mental, as well as physical impairments, to be handicapping conditions.

Kelleher's suit claims actual damages of over $650,000 from Harvard plus unspecified damages for emotional distress and punitive damages.

Opening arguments in the case started Nov. 8, and lawyers expect arguments to continue into next week and possibly the week after Thanksgiving.

Kelleher began working for Harvard in 1976, performing her duties from an office in her home.