Berger & Montague attorneys commit their
most valuable resource, their time, to charities, non-profit
organizations and pro bono legal work.
For over forty years, Berger & Montague has
encouraged its attorneys -- shareholders and associates
alike -- to support charitable causes and volunteer in
the community. Our lawyers understand that participating
in pro bono representation is an essential
component of their professional and ethical
responsibilities.
Berger & Montague is strongly committed to
numerous charitable causes. Over his lengthy career,
David Berger, the firm's founding partner, was prominent in a great
many philanthropic and charitable enterprises, including serving as
Honorary Chairman of the American Heart Association; a Trustee of
the American Cancer Society; and a member of the Board of Directors
of the American Red Cross. This tradition continues to the
present.
For example, in 2009, 2010 and 2011, Berger & Montague
received the Chancellor's Award presented by the Philadelphia
Volunteers for the Indigent Program ("VIP"), which provides crucial
legal services to more than 1,000 low-income Philadelphia residents
each year. VIP relies on volunteer attorneys to provide pro
bono representation for families and individuals. In 2009 and 2010, Berger & Montague
also received an award for our volunteer work
with the VIP Mortgage Foreclosure Program.
Today, Berger & Montague attorneys engage in pro
bono work for many organizations, including the Public
Interest Law Center of Philadelphia ("PILCOP"); Community Legal
Services ("CLS"); Philadelphia Legal Assistance; the Education Law
Center; the Legal Clinic for the Disabled; the Support Center for
Child Advocates; the Veterans Pro Bono Consortium; the
Aids Law Project of Philadelphia; Center for Literacy; the National
Liberty Museum; Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program;
and the Philadelphia Mortgage Foreclosure Program. We are proud of
our written pro bono policy that encourages and
strongly supports our attorneys to get involved in this important
and rewarding work. For example, associate Sarah
Schalman-Bergen recently received recognition as an "Unsung Hero" by
The Legal Intelligencer for her work as Of Counsel
with the AIDS Law Project, and many attorneys at Berger &
Montague have been named to the First District of
Pennsylvania's Pro Bono Honor Roll.
Berger & Montague also makes annual contributions to the
Philadelphia Bar Foundation, an umbrella charitable organization
dedicated to promoting access to justice for all people in the
community, particularly those struggling with poverty, abuse and
discrimination.
The firm also has held numerous clothing drives, toy drives,
food drives, and blood drives. Through these efforts, often led by
senior associate Jon J. Lambiras, Berger &
Montague professional and support staff have donated thousands of
items of clothing, toys and food to local charities including the
Salvation Army, Toys for Tots, and Philabundance, a local food
bank. Blood donations are made to the American Red Cross.
Berger & Montague attorneys also volunteer on an annual basis
at MANNA, which prepares and delivers nourishing meals to
those suffering with serious illnesses.
Beyond Philadelphia, Berger & Montague and its attorneys
support charitable foundations and national organizations working
to provide a better quality of life for people around the
world.