Bernard is a member of Cozen O'Connor's Real Estate Practice Group, which consists of more than 60 attorneys in multiple offices. Prior to joining Cozen O’Connor, Bernard was a partner in the real estate department of a well-known Philadelphia law firm, which he joined in 1977.
Bernard’s practice areas include real estate development and financing, mixed-use and mixed-finance projects, construction and architect agreements, and hotel management, acquisition, and development. His clients include individual developers and joint venture partners, small and major corporations, and governmental and quasi-governmental entities. He also represents borrowers in workouts of loans, as well as owners and tenants in terminations and settlements of leases.
Bernard recently served as a commissioner on the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. He is a past member of the Executive Board of the Real Property Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association, and former president of the Barristers’ Association. Bernard’s recent pro bono work includes the representation of a church in the acquisition and financing of a building and serving as a mediator in the tenant-landlord Philadelphia Bar Association program. Bernard is active in his fraternity and provides legal services for them and is also an active member of the Real Estate Executive Council.
Bernard earned his undergraduate degree from Lake Forest College, where he served as president of his class, and received his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.