Our Founder

Bernard Cheriff

Cheriff & Fink, P.C.’s founder, Bernard Cheriff (b. January 16, 1931 – d. January 22, 2025) was a rare man with a big heart for family and service to others. 

Bernie was born in Brooklyn.  He graduated from Syracuse School of Law, number one in his class where he was also editor-in-chief of the Law Review.   

In 1955, Bernie joined the US Army and was stationed in Germany.  He served as a Medic and ambulance driver and also worked on court martial cases.  

Bernie established his own law practice after his army service.  As General Counsel to a public corporation involved in extensive international business, Bernie traveled to the far corners of the world. Bernie also had the unique opportunity to work as a lawyer with many musicians including, John Denver, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and even Miles Davis and Frank Zappa. 

Even while running his law practice, for many years Bernie devoted a couple of weeks each year to working with the Appalachian Trail crew, building trails, bridges, and sometimes even removing large boulders. 

Bernie joined the Peace Corps –at age 79–and served in Ukraine from 2010-2012.  His “claim to fame” was that he was the oldest Peace Corps member in the world, and President Obama gave him an award for this achievement. He often said that the Peace Corps was one of the best experiences of his life. 

In 2013, Syracuse University and Syracuse Law School awarded Bernie with the Alumni Achievement Award for his contributions to society.