NACBA Awards

NACBA frequently recognizes the contributions of its members and key allies who go above and beyond the call of duty in helping NACBA realize its goals. At the 2007 Convention in Philadelphia, NACBA recognized the following individuals for their meritorious service to our organization by honoring them with NACBA’s Champion of Consumer Rights award:

The Honorable Thomas Waldron - Honored for his longtime contributions as a judge and as a frequent speaker at NACBA conventions, and his constant support of NACBA and consumers' rights

The Honorable Marilyn Morgan – Honored  for her distinguished career as a lawyer for consumer debtors and as a bankruptcy judge, and her vital help in the formation of NACBA.

Representative John Conyers - Honored for his unwavering support of consumers’ rights on the House Judiciary Committee, which he now chairs.

Craig Goldblatt - Honored for the enormous amount of pro bono work and outstanding job he and his firm, Wilmer Hale did on our amicus brief in Marrama and in other cases.

Past recipients:

2006:

Jean Ryan, who practices in Miami, Florida, was given our Distinguished Service Award for her many contributions to NACBA. Jean served three full terms on NACBA’s Board of Directors (1997 – 2006), and helped guide our association through the many activities undertaken during those years. She testified at both the National Bankruptcy Review Commission and in Congress on behalf of consumer debtors’ rights. In addition, Jean moderated panels at each of NACBA’s annual Conventions over the past nine years. Jean was also a member of the faculty at both the Chicago and Orlando NACBA Workshops in 2005 on BAPCPA and how to practice under the new law. NACBA appreciates Jean’s long and valued service to our organization.

Tara Twomey, Carmel, California, was named “Champion of Consumer Rights” for her outstanding work on NACBA’s amicus briefs, model briefs and model local rules. Over the past year, Tara has worked effectively and tirelessly to provide members with litigation support in representing debtors and dealing with the BAPCPA changes to the law. She has also served as a Clinical Instructor at Harvard Law School, where she focused on sustainable home ownership for low and moderate income homeowners. Tara’s past efforts and continuing work with NACBA (she was named in June 2006 to the new position of NACBA Amicus Project Director) are helping shape the judicial contours of consumer bankruptcy law nationwide.

2005:

Senator Russ Feingold (D, WI) and Travis Plunkett, legislative director for the Consumer Federation of America, were named "Champions of Consumer Rights." Senator Feingold has worked tirelessly on behalf of consumer debtors and, when his dear friend Senator Paul Wellstone perished in a plane crash, Senator Feingold pledged to honor his legacy by doing everything in his power to ensure that one-sided and unfair bankruptcy legislation did not pass Congress. In accepting the award on behalf of Senator Feingold, his counsel Bob Schiff expressed the Senator?s gratitude to NACBA and its members for helping him understand the crucial role bankruptcy protection plays in helping financially vulnerable citizens get back on their feet.

Max Gardner of Shelby, NC was named "Champion of Consumer Rights for his "extraordinary service in protecting American consumers." Max assisted the former employees of Shelby Yarn Company through his innovative and unique use of the bankruptcy laws to obtain more than $2 million in damages and monetary recoveries from the former principals of the company.

NACBA presented a special award to retiring Board member James (Ike) Shulman of San Jose, CA. Ike was a co-founder and first president of NACBA, and has played a critical role in the organization´s ongoing success. Over the years he has devoted endless hours to the organization. In "retirement" he´ll stay on as Treasurer and Legislative Chair.

Other members recognized for their ongoing contributions and support for the organization include:

Bob Adams	Eric Clayman	Bill Oliver
Neal Allen	John Colwell	John Orcutt
Mark Bond	Gary Gale	Marlow Preston
Edgar Borrego	Jeffrey Jenkins	Jerry Tanzy
Brad Botes	Bob Michelson	Gerald White