Tzedek DC’s Founding Director Ariel Levinson-Waldman was awarded the National Consumer Law Center’s 2023 Rising Star Award, given to three consumer advocates in the nation at their 2023 Consumer Rights Litigation Conference and Consumer Class Action Symposium on October 28.
Hassan Zavareei, a partner at one of Tzedek DC’s pro bono partner firms, Tycko & Zavareei, and a member of the NCLC’s Partners Council, presented the award, emphasizing the impact of Tzedek DC’s case-by-case litigation as well as system work on debt collection and fines and fees reform issues.
Ariel Levinson-Waldman said, “I’m grateful to NCLC and Hassan for this recognition, which is really a recognition of the outstanding work of my Tzedek DC colleagues.”
About NCLC and Rising Star Award
Since 1969, the nonprofit National Consumer Law Center has worked for consumer justice and economic security for low-income and other disadvantaged people in the United States through its expertise in policy analysis and advocacy, publications, litigation, expert witness services, and training.
The Rising Star Award is presented annually by the National Consumer Law Center’s Partners Council to one or more attorneys in consumer practice for 15 years or less who have made major contributions to consumer law within the past two years by trying or settling a case of great success and significance.
About Tzedek DC
Tzedek DC's name is drawn from the ancient Jewish teaching "Tzedek, tzedek tirdof," or "Justice, justice you shall pursue." Tzedek DC is a nonprofit public interest center headquartered at the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law and also has offices in Ward 8. Tzedek DC's mission is to safeguard the legal rights and financial health of DC residents with lower incomes facing the often-devastating consequences of debt collection and credit-related obstacles. Tzedek DC seeks to serve and empower our DC community client base, comprised of 90% Black residents, 60% women, and 25% disabled DC community members. Our approach combines (i) free direct legal and financial counseling services, (ii) working in coalition to make systemic change, and (iii) providing multi-lingual community education. Since 2017, Tzedek DC has served over 3,000 DC client households in legal and financial counseling matters and catalyzed systemic reforms benefiting hundreds of thousands of DC residents.