Reunited!

And it feels so good:

With over 24 years of intellectual property and commercial litigation experience, Janet T. Munn has joined the partner ranks at the Coral Gables-based law firm Rasco, Klock, Reininger, Perez, Esquenazi, Vigil & Nieto. Her expertise includes: class action defense, intellectual property, mass tort and products liability defense, media law, and domestic and international arbitration

"We are very excited to have Janet as one of our partners. She tops off a uniquely qualified bench of six senior litigators, with over 170 years of practice experience at our clients' disposal in a diverse are of specialties," said Managing Partner, Ramon Rasco.

"This is a great way to start the new decade," stated Munn. "Joining Ramon and Joe, along with a great team of litigators headed by Steve Reininger, Al Perez, Gabe Nieto, as well as Jack Shawde, creates a resource pool that is unique in our market. Add to that a team of banking, corporate, real estate, and tax lawyers with sophisticated experience in domestic and international transactions, gives me the ability to serve my clients with a talent pool that rivals a 100 person firm. You can clearly see why I wanted to be here."

Steve Reininger, the firm's other co-founder and litigation practice head, added: "The addition of Janet is a strong plus for our litigation practice. Janet joins us at a time when her areas of expertise will be a very important asset for the firm."

Munn comes to the firm by way of Steel Hector & Davis, LLP, where she spent over 19 years and headed the Intellectual Property and Media Law Groups.

Joe Klock, past firm and international practice chair of Steel Hector, commented: "Janet is one of the most highly-regarded lawyers in her field, with an unblemished reputation as a world class federal and state court litigator. I am thrilled that she has chosen to join us." Gabe Nieto, another Steel Hector alumnus, added: "It will be great to again be under the same roof with Janet. Her energy and intellectual capacity was a great asset to our team while we were at Steel Hector, and we are very happy to have her back."

Come on, I think there's room for one more name on the header at RKRPEV&N.

Either way, congrats kids!

Joe Klock 3.0 -- Suing Insurance Companies At a Small Firm?

But where will he park his corporate jet:

Prominent South Florida litigator Joseph Klock Jr. is leaving the Miami office of Epstein Becker & Green after two years to join the Coral Gables firm of Rasco Reininger Perez Esquenazi & Vigil as a name partner today.

The firm’s new name will be Rasco Klock Reininger Perez Esquenazi Vigil & Nieto.

Klock, who was forced out as managing partner of Steel Hector & Davis before its 2005 merger with Squire Sanders & Dempsey, left that firm to join Epstein Becker in February 2007.

So two years at SSD, two years at Mike Casey's shop, and now a small firm in the Gables. Here is Joe's explanation for the move:

Klock said he left because client conflicts prevented him from pursuing cases at the 400-lawyer Epstein Becker firm, and his experience with the firm was positive.

“They treated me very well,” he said. “A lot of their success has caused me some problems. They represent so many insurance companies, it represents a conflict from my practice point of view.”

When asked if compensation was a factor, Klock said, “Let’s put it this way, I wouldn’t be making a move if I thought I’d be making less money.”

In other words, Joe is now a plaintiff's lawyer who wants to sue insurance companies? Oh well, it's Miami -- you can be anybody you want to be.

He's bringing three lawyers too:

Steve Reininger, co-founder of Rasco Reininger Perez Esquenazi & Vigil, said Klock is bringing three attorneys with him, including Epstein associate Juan Carlos Antorcha and Berger Singerman shareholder Gabriel Nieto, who will join the firm as a partner. Klock said he’s also bringing Epstein Becker associate Rashida Ivy with him as an associate.

And here is Epstein's Mike Casey on the departure:

Michael Casey, managing partner of Epstein Becker & Green’s Miami office, said Klock’s departure is amicable.

He said Klock’s new firm offered him a strong compensation package and a name partnership. Casey said he didn’t know compensation details.

“They cut him a great deal,” Casey said. “He’s going to be a name partner in the firm, which is important to Joe and a lot of people, and as far as I know they cut him probably a great deal on the comp issues too.”
Epstein Becker will continue its working relationship with Klock by referring cases to him and accepting referrals from him, Casey said.

“He’s been a friend of mine for over 30 years,” Casey said.

“I wish him all the best, continued success and good health.”

Mike, it's nice to be positive and all, but tone it down a little -- you seem more thrilled about the move than anybody.

I'm kidding, I'm kidding -- this all seems like a win-win.

Congrats to all, and good luck at Rasco Klock Reininger Perez Esquenazi Vigil & Nieto (oy -- let's call it "RKRPEVN" for short).