Volunteer Lawyers for Justice to Honor Miles Berger as Community Builder of the Year

Pro Bono Legal Services Nonprofit Cites Contributions to the City of Newark, N.J. End Quote

Newark, NJ (1888PressRelease) October 26, 2012 - Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) will recognize Miles Berger, chairman and chief executive officer of The Berger Organization as "Community Builder of the Year" at its 8th Annual "Arts & Eats for Justice Gala." The event, set for Tuesday, Dec. 4, at the Montclair Art Museum in Montclair, will benefit VLJ's comprehensive pro bono legal services to low-income individuals.

Berger is widely recognized as a visionary for the City of Newark, N.J., where VLJ is based. He has been instrumental in the city's renaissance and was among the first to anticipate and work toward its revitalization as a destination of choice for business, shopping, dining, entertainment, sports and culture. His privately owned, diversified real estate company purchased its first property there in 1976. Since then, Berger's deep appreciation for Newark's rich history and personal, unwavering commitment to restoring New Jersey's largest city to its past brilliance has led to concentrated real estate acquisitions and the employment of more than 300 local residents.

"Our volunteers and supporters like Miles have truly brought us where we are today, aiding thousands of clients in desperate need of legal services each year," said Karen Sacks, Esq., founding executive director of VLJ. "Through their commitment and generosity, VLJ is that much closer to ensuring all those in New Jersey have fair and equal access to the law."

Today The Berger Organization's 1 million-square-foot commercial portfolio and three of its hospitality properties are located in Newark's central business district. "Our unwavering commitment to restoring Newark to its past brilliance continues to serve as the foundation for our company's activity throughout the city," said Berger. "We are proud to partner with VLJ in its work to aid those in need in our hometown and throughout New Jersey."

Berger's interest in the future of Newark extends beyond the firm's real estate holdings to his involvement with numerous organizations. He also has been recognized for his professional and personal efforts with Newark's Businessperson of the Year Award as well as community service honors from the Newark Police Department, Coalition of 100 Black Women, Hispanic Law Enforcement of Essex County and Newark Emergency Services for Families. He has served on the boards of the Newark Public Library, Newark Symphony Hall, Newark Boys' Choir School and the Newark Holocaust Memorial Remembrance.

Established in 2001, VLJ has grown from a grass roots effort of 30 volunteer attorneys in Essex County to a state-wide 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with hundreds of attorneys. Its much-anticipated, 8th Annual Gala will feature live jazz and a showcase of innovative cuisine from the area's top restaurants. That evening, the organization also will honor Genova Burns Giantomasi & Webster with its "2012 Pro Bono Award" and Daniel Frischberg, Esq. with its "2012 Pro Bono Attorney Award."

For more information on VLJ, please visit VLJ's website at http://www.vljnj.org/. For more information on tickets and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Dannielle Leigh at dleigh ( @ ) vljnj dot org or 973-645-1951, ext. 116.

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