Each year NCLC presents the Vern Countryman Consumer Law Award to a legal services
or other public interest attorney whose special contributions to the practice
of consumer law have strengthened and affirmed the rights of low-income Americans.
Since the first award was presented in 1990 to Henry J. Sommer for his leadership
in promoting the field of consumer law, the Vern Countryman Award has quickly
become the top honor for consumer attorneys. Winners include some of the most
highly regarded consumer advocates in the country: Mallam J. Maynard (Mr. Maynard's speech upon receipt of the Vern Countryman Award), Paul Bland, Irv Ackeslberg (click here for Kathleen Keest's Remarks on presenting the 2005 Countryman Award to Irv Ackelsberg), Gail
Hillebrand, Dan Hedges, Joanne
Faulkner, Lynn Drysdale, Richard
Rubin, Kathleen Keest, Alan Alop, David Ramp, Elizabeth Imholz, Jim Sturdevant,
Pat Sturdevant, Mike Ferry, Bill Brennan, Carolyn Carter, and Margot Saunders.
We are most proud to know these outstanding advocates and applaud their efforts
on behalf of low-income consumers.
Nominate the next Countryman winner
If you know of an outstanding attorney who is deserving of this recognition,
please email Suzanne Cutler at scutler@nclc.org for information on the nomination
process. Our guidelines are simple: the nominee must have demonstrated excellence
in working on low-income consumer or energy issues for at least 10 years; or
recently obtained legal relief through judicial, administrative, or legislative
action which brought significant benefit to a large number of low-income consumers.
Nominations may be submitted by anyone familiar with the work of the candidate.
Nominating materials should include: Candidate’s resume; a description
of the work which qualifies for the award; and two or more references who may
be contacted about the work.
We welcome your help in identifying the next deserving recipient!
