Countryman Award

Vern Countryman Award

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. We are most proud to know these outstanding advocates and applaud their efforts on behalf of low-income consumers. Winners include some of the most highly regarded consumer advocates in the country:

 David Leen, 2012

Carlene McNulty, 2011

O. Randolph Bragg, 2010

Michael D. Donovan, 2009

Bernard E. Brown, 2008

Mallam J. Maynard, 2007

F. Paul Bland, Jr., 2006

Irv Ackelsberg, 2005

Gail Hillebrand, 2004

Dan Hedges, 2003

Joanne Faulkner, 2002

Lynn Drysdale, 2001

Richard Rubin, 2000

Kathleen Keest, 1999

Alan Alop, 1998

David Ramp, 1997

Elizabeth Imholz, 1996

James Sturdevant, 1995

 Patricia Sturdevant, 1995

Michael Ferry, 1994

William Brennan, 1993

Carolyn Carter, 1992

Margot Freeman Saunders, 1991

Henry Sommer, 1990

Nominate the Next Countryman Winner

If you know of an outstanding attorney who is deserving of this recognition, please email Lauren Mahoney at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 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!