Tyler Berry focuses his practice on real estate law, business transactions, and litigation, including general commercial litigation. As part of Mansour Gavin’s real estate group, he brings extensive experience in business and real estate transactional drafting, eviction defense, and commercial lease negotiation and drafting.

What inspired you to pursue a career in law and what drew you to your specific practice area?

What drew me to practicing law was the opportunity to make a difference and create meaningful change for people. In college, I was fortunate to shadow a judge who took me under his wing and mentored me. Through the experience, I gained a deep appreciation for the ways in which practicing law can positively impact people’s lives. I ultimately found my way into real estate law due to my master’s degree in urban planning as well as my love for creating things. Being a part of a new and developing project and seeing that come to fruition is incredibly rewarding.

In what ways did law school shape you both personally and professionally?

Law school shaped me in countless ways. During my time at Cleveland State College of Law (formerly Cleveland Marshall), I had to learn to be wrong. While an attorney’s job is to advocate for a position, there are times when you have to face the fact that you may not be right. Law school also instilled a strong work ethic in me. Balancing law school, a master’s program, and a job at the same time was challenging, but it strengthened my ability to balance multiple commitments. That experience ultimately made me a better person and a better attorney.

What advice would you give to young attorneys just starting out in their careers?

My advice to younger attorneys is don’t be afraid to find the answer. Whether that means asking a mentor or a more experienced attorney, or taking the time to research on your own, the key is to embrace the learning process. You will battle with imposter syndrome but the more you seek out answers and put in the work, the more confident you’ll become in your abilities.

What do you enjoy most about working at Mansour Gavin?

My favorite thing about working at Mansour Gavin are my fellow coworkers. From day one, I have been welcomed by absolutely everyone and given so many opportunities to explore different areas of law. I’m also incredibly grateful for the support of our administrative staff and paralegals, who play a crucial role in keeping the firm running its best.

If you weren’t a lawyer, what career do you think you’d have pursued?

When I was younger, I thought I wanted to be a dentist because I was the only kid that enjoyed going to dentist appointments. I don’t know if it was the satisfying feeling post cleaning or being able to pick out a treat from the treasure box, but I loved going. Growing up and realizing what being a dentist entails besides just checkups solidified that it was not the career for me.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

My favorite way to spend my free time is enjoying Lake Erie. Living near the lake, I try to appreciate it in some way every day. I’m especially looking forward to summer when I can get back to paddleboarding, boating, and running on the beach with the dogs. Until then I’m happy to take in the view over a meal or take a walk in one of our many beautiful parks.