James Wacht, president of Manhattan-based, full-service real estate firm Sierra Realty Corp, has been named chairman of the advisory council of the New York office of Appleseed. A leading pro bono organization made up of a network of 16 public interest centers in the U.S. and Mexico, Appleseed members and pro bono partners, which include many of the country's most prominent law firms, volunteer their time and professional services to uncover and correct injustices through legal, legislative and market-based reform. In his new role as head of the New York council, Wacht will follow up on current projects, propose new initiatives, and participate in fundraising and membership development. He was appointed to the Advisory Council in 2007.