Richard Berkley is the Executive Director of The Public Utility Law Project of New York, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that has advocated for universal service, affordability, and customer protections for New York State utility consumers since 1981 He has a wealth of public interest service and experience in energy and telecommunications law, utility regulation, and legislative and regulatory policy.
Most recently, Berkley was Chief of Staff and Counsel to Senator Kevin L. Parker, Ranking Member of the New York State Senate Committee on Energy and Telecommunications. In that position he was responsible for the function of the District and Albany Offices in the areas of constituent and community affairs, legislative and policy projects, drafting and negotiating legislation regarding energy and telecom utility service. Prior to his position of Chief of Staff to Senator Parker, he was Director of the Senate Committee on Energy and Telecommunications, Counsel to the Whip, and served as Director of the Legislative Commission on Science and Technology.
Prior to his work in the State Senate, Berkley was counsel to Assemblyman Richard L. Brodsky, Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Corporations, Commissions and Authorities. He conducted investigations and drafted legislation concerning matters within the Committee’s jurisdiction including public authorities, telecommunications, energy regulation, competition policy and deregulation issues. He served as the Assemblyman’s Counsel in electric and gas rate cases, and regulatory proceedings affecting telephone, cable, wireless and VoIP carriers, the investigation of the Con Edison Long Island City blackout, and environmental matters.
Mr. Berkley previously worked for the City of New York as its Telecommunications & Cable Franchise Counsel, in matters involving cable franchises, emergency restoration of telecommunication services, procurement of telecom facilities for the City, wireless public safety matters and information technology contracting. His other experience with New York State’s government was for the New York State Office of Children and Family Services as its Assistant Counsel and Information Technology Attorney.
He received his B.A. degree from Fordham University in history and music theory, and a J.D. degree from the University of Wisconsin, where he was Articles Editor for the Wisconsin International Law Journal. He also worked for the Wisconsin Public Service Commission, and for the Center for Public Representation, a public interest law firm. He has taught at the University of Wisconsin Business School, and a variety of other institutions of higher education. He is a member of the New York State and New Jersey bars.
