Overview
Throughout his 60-year career, Bernie has gained extensive experience in municipal law, real estate, small business matters, estate planning, and tax law. He has advised small businesses on their day-to-day challenges, helped numerous clients establish estate plans, and provided counsel to national and international natural resource firms. Bernie has also advised clients on income and estate tax issues.
Bernie has served as a board member and legal counsel for several charitable organizations, including his long-standing role on the Board of Trustees of Parmadale.
Representative Experience
- Represented the executor of a large estate with a significant stock holding. To avoid negatively impacting the stock price through a bulk sale, shares were strategically sold in smaller increments over several days, ensuring price stability throughout the process.
- Successfully represented a manufacturing business in a wrongful lease renewal denial. The landlord initiated an eviction action in Municipal Court, to which the manufacturer counterclaimed with damages exceeding the court’s jurisdiction. However, the judge refused to certify the case to the Common Pleas Court and granted the eviction. A supersedeas bond was posted to delay the Writ of Restitution, and an appeal was filed in the Court of Appeals. The appellate court reversed the trial court’s decision and granted final judgment in favor of the manufacturer.
Education & Admissions
Education
- Western Reserve School of Law, L.L.B., 1955
- Editor, Law Review (1954-1955)
- John Carroll University, B.S.S., 1952
Bar and Court Admissions
- State of Ohio
- U.S. Tax Court
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
Involvement
Professional Affiliations
- ALFA International, Steering Committee, Business Litigation
- Ohio State Bar Association, Member (1955 — Present)
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Member (1956 — Present)
- Cuyahoga County Law Directors Association, Member (2006 — Present)
Community Involvement
- Spanish War Veterans Association, Treasurer
- John Milton Costello Foundation, Trustee and Secretary
- The Catholic Charities Service Corporation, Board Member (1990-1994)
- Parmadale, Board Member (1975-1992)
- Catholic Community Foundation, Board Member (1972-1992)
- Lawyers Guild Of The Catholic Diocese Of Cleveland, Treasurer (1970-1982)
- Kionia Home, Board Member (1970-1974)
- Anthony’s Home For Boys, Board President (1966-1970)
Firm Involvement
- Frantz Ward, Founding Partner
Awards & Honors
- Listed as AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Representative Experience
- Represented the executor of a large estate with a significant stock holding. To avoid negatively impacting the stock price through a bulk sale, shares were strategically sold in smaller increments over several days, ensuring price stability throughout the process.
- Successfully represented a manufacturing business in a wrongful lease renewal denial. The landlord initiated an eviction action in Municipal Court, to which the manufacturer counterclaimed with damages exceeding the court’s jurisdiction. However, the judge refused to certify the case to the Common Pleas Court and granted the eviction. A supersedeas bond was posted to delay the Writ of Restitution, and an appeal was filed in the Court of Appeals. The appellate court reversed the trial court’s decision and granted final judgment in favor of the manufacturer.
Education & Admissions
Education
- Western Reserve School of Law, L.L.B., 1955
- Editor, Law Review (1954-1955)
- John Carroll University, B.S.S., 1952
Bar and Court Admissions
- State of Ohio
- U.S. Tax Court
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
Involvement
Professional Affiliations
- ALFA International, Steering Committee, Business Litigation
- Ohio State Bar Association, Member (1955 — Present)
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Member (1956 — Present)
- Cuyahoga County Law Directors Association, Member (2006 — Present)
Community Involvement
- Spanish War Veterans Association, Treasurer
- John Milton Costello Foundation, Trustee and Secretary
- The Catholic Charities Service Corporation, Board Member (1990-1994)
- Parmadale, Board Member (1975-1992)
- Catholic Community Foundation, Board Member (1972-1992)
- Lawyers Guild Of The Catholic Diocese Of Cleveland, Treasurer (1970-1982)
- Kionia Home, Board Member (1970-1974)
- Anthony’s Home For Boys, Board President (1966-1970)
Firm Involvement
- Frantz Ward, Founding Partner
Awards & Honors
- Listed as AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
