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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).

Full post as published by South Florida Lawyers on January 15, 2009 (boomark / email).