Business News

Tribune Appoints New General Counsel, Announces Promotions in Law Department

Friday 25. April 2008 - Veteran Attorney Don Liebentritt to Join Company; David Eldersveld Named Deputy General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Tribune Company today announced that Don Liebentritt has been named general counsel and that David Eldersveld, the company’s senior counsel/mergers and acquisitions, has been promoted to vice president/deputy general counsel and corporate secretary. Crane Kenney, who has served as Tribune’s general counsel since 1996, will step down to devote all his time to his duties as chairman of the Chicago Cubs.

“This move will allow Crane to focus exclusively on securing a World Series Championship as the team enters its next phase of ownership,” said Sam Zell, Tribune’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Don Liebentritt’s talent and experience and Dave Eldersveld’s extensive knowledge of the company make a great combination. They will provide excellent leadership for our legal department.”

Kenney said, “Dave played a critical role in our recent going-private transaction. He has a great understanding of the company’s strategies and a proven record of executing transactions that make a difference — he will be the perfect compliment to Don.”

Liebentritt is a senior advisor with Equity Group Investments (EGI), a private investment firm where he served as president from 2000 to 2005. He is also an officer and director of various private affiliates of EGI. Liebentritt will be responsible for directing all of the company’s legal affairs and will assume his new duties in mid-May.

Eldersveld, who joined Tribune in 2005, has been responsible for negotiating and managing the legal aspects of acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and other strategic investment transactions for Tribune and its business units. He will assume his new responsibilities immediately.

Kenney is leading Tribune’s strategic review process related to the Cubs, Wrigley Field, and the company’s interest in Comcast SportsNet. He is in his 15th year with the Cubs, and his sixth year as the principal in charge of Cubs operations.