Bernie, meet Barry.

Bernard Kerik may not be known for his good judgment in many areas of his personal and professional life. However, he has shown stellar judgment in his choice of Barry Berke, a partner at Kramer Levin, to defend him against federal corruption charges. New York Post reporter Kati Cornell praises Berke for his “wealth of experience in sensitive, high-profile cases.” (Kerik’s previous lawyer, Kenneth Breen, was disqualified by Judge Stephen Robinson because he might be called as a witness.)

Barry and I were colleagues at the Federal Public Defender’s Office in the Southern District of New York back in the early 1990s, and I readily confess to being his good friend. Asked to comment on his new client, Barry was nothing if not sensitive, stating, “We look forward to successfully defending Bernie Kerik and restoring his good name.” CR