Who is federal judge Richard Berman? The man who ruled for Tom Brady

Deflategate judge Richard Berman is no stranger to high profile cases like Tom Brady's suspension.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's four-game suspension was nullified by federal judge Richard Berman in a ruling that was announced Thursday.

Berman's ruling stated: “Based upon the foregoing and applicable legal authorities, the Court hereby denies the Management Council's motion to confirm the Award and grants the Players Association's motion to vacate the Award, thereby vacating the four-game suspension of Tom Brady, effective immediately.” (You can read the full decision here). 

Berman, 71, has been a United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York since November 1998, taking senior status in 2011. 

He received a B.S. degree from Cornell University in 1964, a J.D. degree in 1967 from N.Y.U. School of Law and a M.S.W. in 1996 from the Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service. 

​• Tom Brady can start Week 1 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Berman is no stranger to high-profile court cases. In April 2001, Berman oversaw a case involving Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee, who was accused of ripping off the band name Methods of Mayhem from a Swedish musician. Berman ruled in Lee's favor.

Berman's most famous case involves Pakistani scientist Aafia Siddiqui. Siddiqui was charged with shooting at FBI agents and U.S. soldiers while at a police station in Afghanistan in 2008 and was added to the list of the FBI's most wanted terrorists.

Siddiqui was not charged with terrorism, but he was convicted and sentenced to 86 years in prison for attempted murder.

In 2012, Berman sentenced Cameron Douglas, son of actor Michael Douglas, to five years in prison for drug charges. The sentence was later doubled to 10 years as Berman called Douglas “destructive” and “manipulative” following an incident in which Douglas' lawyer snuck drugs into prison in her bra.

• MCCANN: Why Tom Brady beat Roger Goodell in their Deflategate appeal

- Christopher Chavez and Kayla Lombardo