HARRISBURG (Sept. 15, 2006) � Butler County attorney Karen M. Berg has received an Everyday Leader Award from the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) for providing legal advice and representation to victims of domestic violence.

�Karen helps the citizens of Butler County who are in great need of legal services but have few resources to pay for them,� said PBA President Kenneth J. Horoho Jr., who presented the award to Berg. �Every day, Karen changes lives through her passion and commitment to justice for her clients.�

For the past five years, Berg has been a staff attorney with VOICe, the Victims Outreach Intervention Center, which provides free and confidential services to individuals and families who are victims of violent crimes. Her work is part of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence�s Civil Legal Representation Project. Funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, the project works to eliminate barriers to justice for domestic violence victims through legal advice and representation, assistance with complex issues such as custody and child support and development of a network of attorney specialists committed to improving the civil justice system.

Berg is a member of Butler County�s STOP Violence Against Women committee, whose membership includes professionals from various agencies working together to address domestic violence issues.

In addition, Berg helps non-English speaking clients find legal assistance through the Immigration Project in Pittsburgh.

�The Everyday Leader Award is given to individuals who go above and beyond, sharing their time and talent to help and support others,� said Horoho. �These unsung heroes work hard each and every day performing good works, not for personal gain or recognition, but for the right reasons�to improve the places they call home and to better Pennsylvania�s legal system. Karen Berg is one of these �everyday leaders� and is deserving of this award in gratitude for his contributions to Butler County.�

Founded in 1895, the Pennsylvania Bar Association exists to promote justice, professional excellence and respect of the law; improve public understanding of the legal system; facilitate access to legal services; and serve the 29,000 lawyers who are members of the association.