Leonard A. Bennett (JD ’94) and Erin Witte (JD ’10) Receive Prestigious Awards From the National Consumer Law Center

On November 15, leading consumer rights lawyer Leonard A. Bennett (JD ’94) received the National Consumer Law Center’s 2025 Vern Countryman Award. The prestigious annual honor recognizes an attorney whose special contributions to consumer law have strengthened and affirmed the rights of low-income and other vulnerable consumers. “Len Bennett has left an indelible mark on the field of consumer law, inside and outside the courtroom,” said Richard Dubois, executive director of the National Consumer Law Center. “His groundbreaking litigation has advanced credit and consumer reporting law across the country. And his generous mentorship and financial support has nurtured a generation of young lawyers, creating a legacy that will strengthen the consumer law community far into the future.” As founding partner of Consumer Litigation Associates, Bennett spent decades advocating for the rights of consumers. He serves on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA), on the National Consumer Law Center’s Partner’s Council, as a Williamsburg Society member of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, and as a member of the Trial Law Institute and Diversity Law Institute.

The same day, the National Consumer Law Center also gave Erin Witte (JD ’10) its 2025 Rising Star Award. The award honors attorneys with 15 or fewer years of practice experience who have made significant contributions to consumer law within the past two years. “After moving from trial work to policy advocacy, Erin has proven to be a tenacious policy advocate, protecting people from predatory lenders, unscrupulous auto dealers, and abusive debt collectors,” said Rich Dubois, executive director of the National Consumer Law Center. “She’s a skilled organizer and communicator and excels at turning complex consumer protection concepts into constructive policy ideas. Consumers are fortunate to have Erin in their corner.” Witte currently serves as the Director of Consumer Protection for the Consumer Federation of America. Previously, she served as an assistant attorney general for the Commonwealth of Virginia and worked in private practice at Surovell Isaacs & Levy in Fairfax.

See the National Consumer Law Center’s press release for more. Scalia Law congratulations our alumni on the well-deserved recognition.