Dennis Block Heads to Greenberg Traurig’s M&A Practice

NEW YORK CITY-Greenberg Traurig has hired leading M&A attorney Dennis Block as senior chairman of the law firm’s Global Mergers & Acquisitions practice. Block, formerly a senior partner in the Corporate Practice group at Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft, will start at Greenberg Traurig September 12, 2011.

Known for transactions such as Pfizer, Inc.’s $68 billion acquisition of Wyeth and JP Morgan Chase’s acquisition of Bear Stearn’s, Block will rejoin former colleague Bruce Zirinsky, who co-chairs the Business Reorganization & Financial Restructuring practice at the firm. The two worked together at both Cadwalader and Weil Gotshal & Manges.

Block was unavailable to comment to GlobeSt.com ahead of his start date, a spokesperson for the firm said. However, in a prepared statement about the move, he referenced Greenberg Traurig’s “already exceptional M&A practice,” as well as other factors, as incentives.

“I was drawn to the unique opportunity to build on such a large and strong global platform, while joining once again with my friend Bruce Zirinsky and further strengthening Greenberg Traurig’s already exceptional M&A practice,” Block said. “In today’s business world, Greenberg Traurig’s business model works particularly well for clients, allowing the firm to deliver real value and an unusually broad range of practices, locations and relationships.”

Block’s future colleagues at Greenberg Traurig, including Zirinsky, heralded his upcoming arrival in prepared statements the firm released. “I am delighted my good friend Dennis is coming to join us at Greenberg Traurig” Zirinsky said. “Dennis is truly one of America’s great lawyers and I look forward to working with him again to continue to build one of the best law firms in the world.”

Richard Rosenbaum, CEO of the firm, said that Block “is one of this country’s top mergers and acquisitions lawyers, advising corporations, boards and special committees of boards on matters of governance, M&A, SEC matters, risk management and financing.”

He added that he anticipates continued growth in the firm’s M&A practice with the appointment, including in Latin America. As for Cadwalader, the firm issued a statement to GlobeSt.com from chairman Christopher White. “Dennis Block is a very talented lawyer,” White's statement reads. “He has made many valuable contributions during his 13 years with Cadwalader. We respect him and his contribution to the firm and wish him well in the future.”