Frederick J. Berger

Frederick J. Berger is licensed to practice law in the states of Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Tennessee. Fred was the third partner to join Riezman Berger, P.C. and has been with the law firm for close to 50 years. Fred served as Managing Shareholder of the firm and under Fred’s leadership the Law Firm’s law practice grew to become a top ranked law firm. Fred remains active in the law practice and continues as an officer and director of the Firm. Fred’s practice is concentrated in corporate acquisitions and commercial transactions, business formation, start-up businesses, real estate law, real estate development, zoning, municipal law, will contests, business separations, and financing transactions. In conjunction with his real estate practice, Fred has drafted pollution control ordinances for St. Louis County and has participated and testified in front of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources regarding the promulgation of rules and regulations for air pollution control. In the business sector, Fred has successfully completed more than One Billion Dollars of acquisitions throughout the Midwest and Eastern portions of the United States. Fred also provides counseling for offensive and defensive business strategies for clients looking for alternative solutions to resolving disputes and other matters that impact a client’s business growth, which are not within the “wheelhouse” of a traditional law firm. Fred’s practice of representing all types of businesses includes representing hotel developers in the construction and buildout of hotels and various operational issues affecting the hotel industry, franchise and franchise disputes and Fred has represented numerous clients in the acquisition and operation of automobile dealerships throughout the Midwest and Eastern portions of the United States (including negotiating purchase/sale agreements and financing agreements). Fred has also been involved in the environmental investigation and remediation of numerous contaminated sites.

Fred prides himself on his success in obtaining results and goals that are important to the client and accordingly carefully listens to and makes sure to understand what the client wants. Fred has honed his listening skills over several decades through both intention and education. Fred also understands that the application of rote practices will not always obtain the results his clients want, and works to think “outside of the box” and find solutions to complex issues long after others may have given up. As part of his listening-oriented “client comes first” approach, Fred makes himself available for an initial consultation at no cost, to allow a prospective client to have the opportunity to exchange ideas about legal matters in an environment where the clock is not always ticking. 

Fred has been recognized as being among The Best Lawyers in America® and is a member of the Municipal Attorney Association of Metropolitan St. Louis. Fred also belongs to the St. Louis County Municipal League. Fred is a member of the Missouri Bar Association and the Bar Association of St. Louis, and the American Bar Association.

Fred believes in giving back to the community, and serves as the Mayor of the Village of Westwood, Missouri. Fred has also been active in numerous charities, including serving on the Board of Directors and Ex-Officio of the International Institute, the largest institution in the St. Louis Region servicing immigrants and refugees from war torn countries.

During most of his collegiate studies, Fred worked during the day in the United States Senate and took most of his undergraduate collegiate classes at night. Following college, Fred obtained his Juris Doctorate from Tulane University in 1976.