LTG Joseph B. Berger III, USA (Ret.)

Executive Director

Joseph B. Berger III is the executive director of the American Inns of Court in Alexandria, Virginia.  The American Inns of Court inspire the legal community to advance the rule of law by achieving the highest level of professionalism through example, education and mentoring.

Before assuming his current position, Berger served for 33 years in the U.S. Army, 27 of which were in Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He retired as a lieutenant general after serving as the 42nd The Judge Advocate General (TJAG) of the Army, the Army’s senior-most legal advisor. Previous general officer assignments included serving as the Deputy Judge Advocate General, Commander of the U.S. Army Legal Services Agency and Chief Judge of the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals, and Commander of The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School.

Critical legal leadership positions include serving as the senior legal advisor to the Army Cyber Command, the Joint Special Operations Command, and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. He represented the Army to Congress in the Office of the Chief Legislative Liaison and was the JAG Corps’ lead for budget, manpower, and policies. He previously served in other legal positions, covering national security law, administrative law, criminal law, and client services. Prior to becoming a judge advocate, he was a military policeman, with duties as a platoon leader, executive officer, adjutant, and supply officer. His deployments include Somalia (1993), Kosovo (2000), and multiple times each to Iraq and Afghanistan (2004-2011). His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, and multiple awards each of the Bronze Star Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Meritorious Service Medal, in addition to others. He is entitled to wear parachutist’s wings and the Combat Action Badge.

Berger graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point (B.S., 1992) and the George Mason University School of Law (J.D., 1998). He has an L.L.M. in Military Law from The Judge Advocate General’s School, and a Masters in National Security Studies from the National War College.  He is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States of America, the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, the Army Court of Criminal Appeals, and the Supreme Court of Maryland.

Berger has published on multiple topics, including leadership, national security law, and criminal law. He is a contributing author to multiple books and has been the subject of numerous podcasts.

He and his wife have two adult children and beyond the law and leadership, he enjoys sailing and photography.