Bernadette Herward Davida’s rigorous and tireless work ethic and enthusiasm for all facets of the commercial real estate industry are a combination for success. Bernadette enjoys collaborating with clients on issues such as corporate headquarters leasing on behalf of tenants and landlords; commercial and residential development and management of hotel, retail and golf course properties; luxury brand retail leasing for both domestic and foreign companies, life science and pharmaceutical companies, light manufacturing and industrial manufacturing  companies in all industries and sectors, private equity funds, loan, guaranty, and lease workouts and restructurings, acquisitions, ground leases, condominiums,  partnerships and joint ventures, and financings.

Bernadette has a broad range of experience representing foreign and domestic commercial banks, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, and other foreign and domestic real estate investors in their capacities as lenders, borrowers, owners, sellers, and agents in bank syndicate loans for office buildings, energy plants, hotels and resorts, mixed-use properties, and hospital systems health care and senior living property portfolios. Her background also includes representation of clients in loan originations, syndications, securitizations, participations, construction and mezzanine loans, debtor-in-possession financings, and loan workouts and bankruptcy related restructurings. In addition, she represents equity investors in the acquisition of apartment, hotel, mixed-use, and health care property portfolios and office buildings on behalf of REITs, partnerships, and individual investors. Her client’s industries include financial services, light and heavy manufacturing, life science, pharmaceutical, hospital systems, major technology and cyber security industries, luxury brand retail, restaurant and hotel and hospitality, airline and medical products. 

In the area of leasing, Bernadette has and continues to represent tenants and landlords (including ground lessors and lessees) in the leasing of corporate headquarters in the New York, Atlanta, Miami, Boston, West Palm Beach, Greenwich, Houston, San Francisco, Washington, and London markets, as well as mall, shopping center, and mixed-use condominium properties, luxury retail, big box retail and restaurant leases on behalf of national restaurant chains and retail clothing store chains. A focus of her practice recently is on life science research and manufacturing sites for ground lease and lease in all major markets in the United States for both domestic and foreign companies. She has represented major foreign airlines in connection with the disposition and management of their airport terminal and cargo facilities. As lead real estate outside counsel for two of the largest International and New York-based hedge funds, she negotiates headquarters office leases, joint venture agreements, purchase options (ROFO/ROFR), guarantees, asset purchase agreements and construction, architect, engineering, and brokerage agreements, in all of their major financial markets.

Education

  • University at Buffalo Law School (J.D., 1987)
    • University of Pittsburgh (B.A., cum laude)
      • Political Science and Government Administration; Druids Honor Society

    Bar Admission

    • New York, 1988

    Court Admissions

    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 1991

    Professional Affiliations

    • American Bar Association
    • Association of the Bar of the City of New York
    • The Dutchess County Bar Association
    • New York Criminal and Civil Courts Bar Association
    • American Ireland Fund
      • New York Dinner Gala Committee
      • Women's Giving Circle
      • New Jersey Annual Golf Classic Committee
    • Professional Women in Construction (New York Chapter)
    • CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women-NY)
    • Savvy Ladies, Inc. Board Member, Governance Committee Member

    Recognition

    • Administrative Law Judge for the New York City Department of Finance
    • 1986 Professor Lee Albert Constitutional Litigation Award
    • Who’s Who Among American Law Students 1987