July 10, 2006

THE DAILY JOURNAL

By Robert Iafolla

Looking to expand his practice, Karl E. Block has departed Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman Machtinger to join Loeb & Loeb as a partner.

Block said he was interested in Loeb & Loeb, which has four U.S. offices.

“They have offices in other markets,” he said, “and my practice is evolving beyond just the West Coast.”

Greenberg Glusker has one office in Century City. Block handles corporate and financial matters, including acquisitions and business restructuring.

“Karl will help with expanding our insolvency workout group, and he has a very good understanding of the health care industry,” said John Frankenheimer, Loeb & Loeb’s managing partner. “He has a solid record as a corporate lawyer who can assist sophisticated clients with a wide range of issues.”

Although Block declined to identify his clients, he said they that are “very broad-based, from Fortune 20 companies to the entrepreneur.”

He said most of his clients are coming with him to Loeb & Loeb.

Like other attorneys leaving Greenberg Glusker in recent months, Block said his decision has nothing to do with the Anthony Pellicano investigation. Name partner Bertram Fields has been questioned in connection with his use of the private eye, who is a main defendant in a 112-count federal wiretapping and conspiracy indictment. Fields has said in the past that he is a subject of the investigation but has denied any wrongdoing.

At least six lawyers have left the 90-attorney firm during the past six months.

“We’re sorry to see Karl leave, but the firm remains strong and economically healthy,” said Norman Levine, Greenberg Glusker’s managing partner.

Frankenheimer said that he and Block had been talking about the move for months, but “there was no sense of urgency” in the discussions.

Loeb & Loeb is a multiservice business law firm with more than 225 attorneys in its Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Nashville, Tenn., offices.

Block, a graduate of the USC Gould School of Law, began practicing 20 years ago. He spent the past seven years at Greenberg Glusker.