Judge Richard Berman is a United States District Judge of the Southern District of New York, appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1998. Born on April 25, 1943, in New York City, Berman has had a distinguished legal career spanning over four decades.
Early Life and Education
Berman graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1964 and received his law degree from New York University School of Law in 1967. After law school, he worked as a law clerk for Judge Edward Weinfeld in the Southern District of New York.
Legal Career
Before his appointment to the federal bench, Berman had a successful career as a lawyer, specializing in commercial and intellectual property litigation. He was a partner at the law firm of Kaye, Scholer, Fierman, Hays & Handler, LLP.
Notable Cases
Judge Berman has presided over several high-profile cases, including:
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US v. Allen Stanford: Berman sentenced the financier to 110 years in prison for running a $7 billion Ponzi scheme.
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US v. Raj Rajaratnam: Berman presided over the insider trading trial of the hedge fund manager, who was convicted and sentenced to 11 years in prison.
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New York Times Co. v. Tasini: Berman ruled in favor of freelance writers in a landmark copyright case, allowing them to claim electronic rights to their work.
Controversies
Berman has faced criticism for his handling of certain cases, including the US v. Jeffrey Sterling espionage case, where he allowed the use of classified evidence. He has also been accused of making controversial statements from the bench.
Legacy
Despite controversies, Judge Richard Berman is widely respected for his legal expertise and commitment to upholding the law. His extensive experience and notable cases have made him a significant figure in the federal judiciary.
