Portrait of Robert Herrmann

Robert Herrmann

Principal

Robert F. Herrmann represents design professionals and other construction-related firms, privately held businesses and New York City housing cooperatives and condominiums. Bob acts as general counsel to a number of architects, landscape architects, interior designers, lighting designers, engineers, owners, developers and contractors, advising them on general business matters and representing them in litigation, arbitration and mediation.

Prior to joining Offit Kurman, Bob was, for thirty-four years, the managing partner of the New York City law firm of Menaker & Herrmann, where he advised a number of the most prominent architecture and design firms in the country.

Bob is a graduate of Yale University and Columbia Law School, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar. He clerked for Judges Harold R. Medina and Sterry R. Waterman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and began his private practice career at Hughes Hubbard & Reed. He is trained in mediation and is on the American Arbitration Association panel of construction mediators. He also serves as a mediator for the New York State Supreme Court, Commercial Division.

Bob is an Adjunct Professor at the Columbia University School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, where he teaches Advanced Professional Practice to third-year masters students. He is also a Visiting Professor at Pratt Institute School of Architecture, where he teaches Special Topics in Professional Practice to undergraduate architecture students. Bob has led numerous seminars for design professionals on a variety of topics. He is the lead author of Law for Architects: What You Need to Know, published by W.W. Norton.

    Education

    • Columbia Law School (J.D.)
    • Yale University (B.A.)

    State Bar Admissions

    • New York

    Professional Affiliations

    • Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, Adjunct Professor
    • Pratt Institute, School of Architecture, Visiting Professor and Co-Coordinator Professional Practice
    • Construction Lawyers Society of America, Fellow
    • New York City College of Technology Executive Council on Design Education and Engagement, Member
    • New York Chapter, Advisory Board, Society of Design Administrators, Chair
    • New York Building Congress, Member
    • Panel of Mediators, American Arbitration Association
    • Panel of Mediators, Commercial Division of the New York Supreme Court, Member
    • Board of Directors, Sir John Soane’s Museum Foundation, Former Board Member
    • Broadway Mall Association, Chair of the Board
    • Community Board 7, Manhattan, Former Board Member
    • Luxury Property Forum, US Founding Member

    Recognitions

    • AV® Preeminent™ 5.0 out of 5
    • Named toThe Best Lawyers in America® for Construction Law, Litigation - Construction (2025-2026)

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