Berman, Howard L. (Howard Lawrence), 1941-

Howard Lawrence Berman (born April 15, 1941) is an American attorney and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he notably served in the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 26th (1983-2003) and 28th (2003-2013) congressional districts.

Born in Los Angeles, California, he attended school there, graduating from Alexander Hamilton High School before earning B.A. and LL.B. degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles. After serving as a VISTA volunteer in Baltimore and San Francisco from 1966 to 1967, he worked as an associate at the Los Angeles law firm, Levy, Van Bourg & Hackler from 1967 to 1972 specializing in labor relations. Berman won election to the Assembly in 1972 from a district in the Hollywood Hills, unseating the incumbent Republican speaker pro-tempore. After supporting Assembly Speaker Leo McCarthy against the insurgent bid for the Speakership by Assemblyman Willie Brown, Berman was appointed Majority Leader of the California Assembly, serving in the role from 1974 to 1980. McCarthy fired Berman when he tried to replace him in 1980. Although McCarthy failed to retain the speakership, Berman also failed to win it, with Willie Brown became speaker.

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