Richard H. Berney

Co-Chair, Leasing

Richard focuses his practice primarily on representing clients in commercial leasing transactions.

Richard’s activities usually involve representing landlords in their leases, operation, and management of their office and residential buildings and shopping centers principally in the New York Metropolitan area, but also in other areas of the country. Richard also represents office and retail tenants in the negotiation of their leases and other agreements relating to landlord/tenant relationships. He has handled numerous major lease negotiations involving space in excess of 100,000 sq. ft. for some of the largest and most respected New York City landlords and tenants. In recognition of his achievements, Richard has been selected as a "Super Lawyer" by New York Metro Super Lawyers. Richard has also lectured frequently on real estate leasing topics and has been an instructor at the Real Estate Institute at New York University.  

Richard earned his Bachelor of Arts from Williams College in 1982 and his law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1985. 

Experience

News

Investindustrial’s Agreement to Purchase Majority Stake of Eataly S.p.A

October 17, 2022

Cozen O’Connor served as U.S. and Canadian counsel in Investindustrial’s acquisition of a majority stake in Eataly S.p.A., the global chain of upscale Italian marketplaces. A team led by M&A attorney and Italy Practice chair Christian Moretti conducted significant due diligence of more than 20 Eataly businesses in the United States and Canada, in collaboration with Deloitte Legal Italy and Studio Legale Chiomenti. For nearly two decades, Eataly has been operating high-quality Italian food markets and restaurant concepts in prestigious locations across the globe, including flagship stores in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Dallas, and Silicon Valley.

Publications

It’s Not Easy Being Green: New York City Adopts New Requirements Concerning Energy and Water Use Benchmarking, Energy Audits, Energy Use Retro-Commissioning, Lighting System Retrofitting and Electricity Submetering for Covered Buildings [Real Estate Alert!]

September 15, 2010

It’s Not Easy Being Green: New York City Adopts New Requirements Concerning Energy and Water Use Benchmarking, Energy Audits, Energy Use Retro-Commissioning, Lighting System Retrofitting and Electricity Submetering for Covered Buildings - Real Estate Alert! - This Alert addresses three local laws requiring energy conservation measures by owners of New York City residential and non-residential buildings containing more than 50,000 square feet of area. Although two of these local laws have compliance deadlines that are far in the future, some as early as 2013 and some as late as 2025, there are real advantages for those owners who elect to perform the work immediately.

Signage for Your Practice: Negotiating the best options to draw attention [medicalofficetoday.com]

December 17, 2009

Signage for Your Practice: Negotiating the best options to draw attention - medicalofficetoday.com - Signage may not be your top priority when reviewing a medical lease, but it is an important element in how your practice is perceived. Signage is usually the first thing people see when approaching your office, so you want it to
appropriately represent who you are and what your practice offers, as well as lead people to your door. Nailing down
your signage specifications in your lease will assure that these needs are met.

Industry Sectors

Retail

Education

  • University of Minnesota Law School, L.L.B., 1985
  • Williams College, B.A., 1982
  • New York