Each year as a part of NACA's ongoing efforts to recognize excellence and outstanding service in the legal field, NACA presents a Consumer Journalism Award, Investigative Journalism Award, Consumer Attorney Award, and Consumer Advocate Award during our Annual Meeting to honor our members who have made special contributions to advancing the practice of consumer law. These individuals have gone above and beyond the normal call of duty by serving as a voice for their organizations and for consumers in the ongoing struggle to curb unfair and/or abusive business practices. NACA will present its 2017 awards at our annual meeting in DC on Friday, November 17.
If you know a consumer advocate who you believe has done outstanding work, either as a trial or appellate attorney, or as an advocate who has contributed to our community in ways that deserve to be recognized, let us know! We are also looking for nominations for print and electronic journalists who have done a great job covering our issues.
2018 Recipients
Excellence in Consumer Journalism
Lawrence Mower, Tampa Bay Times and Miami Herald
Consumer Attorney of the Year
Mark Mailman, Francis & Mailman, P.C.
Consumer Advocate of the Year
James Kowalski, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid
Distinguished Service
John Heenan, Heenan Law Firm
2017 Recipients
Excellence in Consumer Journalism
Michael Pope, Virginia Public Radio
Consumer Attorney of the Year
Leonard Bennett, Consumer Llitigation Associates, P.C.
Consumer Attorney of the Year
Marceline White, Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition
2016 Recipients
Excellence in Consumer Journalism
David Lazarus, Los Angeles Times
Consumer Attorney of the Year
Scott Borison, Legg Law Firm, LLP
Consumer Attorney of the Year
Phillip Robinson, Consumer Law Center LLC
2015 Recipients
Excellence in Consumer Journalism
Amy Davis, KPRC-RV Channel 2 News, for her dedicated consumer reporting
Excellence in Investigative Journalism
Blake Ellis and Melanie Hicken, CNN Money, for their report The Secret World of Government Debt Collection
Consumer Attorney of the Year
Keith Keogh, Keogh Law, LTD
Consumer Advocate of the Year
Jane Santoni, Williams & Santoni, LLP
Outstanding Achievement in Consumer Law
Erik Heath, Attorney at Law
2014 Recipients
Excellence in Consumer Journalism
Jake Halpern for Bad Paper: Chasing Debt from Wall Street to the Underworld
Excellence in Investigative Journalism
Chris Arnold, NPR and Paul Kiel, ProPublica, for their series on Wage Garnishment
Consumer Attorney of the Year
Alice Vickers, Florida Alliance for Consumer Protection
Consumer Advocate of the Year
Cary Flitter, Esq., Flitter Lorenz, P.C.
2013 Recipients
Excellence in Consumer Journalism
Sheryl Harris with Cleveland Plain Dealer
Excellence in Investigative Journalism
ABC News Reporting on Yo-Yo Car sales
Consumer Attorney of the Year
Mark Chavez with Chavez and Gertler LLP
Consumer Advocate of the Year
Peggy Lee with Southeastern Ohio Legal Services
Legislative Advocate of the Year
Kerry Smith with Community Legal Services of Philadelphia