BOSTON — The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), a premier non-profit organization dedicated to economic justice and consumer protection, announced a major transition in its governance structure on September 14, 2026. In a move designed to fortify its influence in the evolving landscape of consumer finance and civil rights, the organization confirmed the election of veteran Boston attorney Jonathan Kravetz as Board President and the appointment of two prominent legal figures to its Board of Directors: Jim Kowalski Jr. and Patricia McCoy.
This leadership transition marks the conclusion of a historic 21-year tenure by outgoing Board President Michael Ferry, a titan in the civil legal aid movement. As the NCLC looks toward the future, these appointments signal a strategic focus on bridging the gap between high-level regulatory expertise, private sector litigation experience, and the frontline realities of civil legal aid.
The Core Developments: A New Era for NCLC Governance
The NCLC board, which serves as the strategic guiding force for the organization’s research, policy advocacy, and training programs, has undergone its most significant transformation in over two decades.
Jonathan Kravetz, a retired partner from the prestigious Boston-based law firm Mintz, has been elevated to the role of Board President. Having served on the board since 1990, Kravetz brings a deep institutional memory to the presidency, ensuring continuity even as the organization confronts modern challenges such as the rise of algorithmic lending and the complexities of digital financial products.
Complementing this leadership change, the board expanded its ranks with two nationally recognized experts:
- Jim Kowalski Jr.: The President and CEO of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA) in Florida. His inclusion bridges the divide between national policy advocacy and the immediate, often dire, needs of low-income consumers.
- Patricia McCoy: The Liberty Mutual Insurance Professor at Boston College Law School. A former official at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and an expert on banking regulation, her appointment underscores the NCLC’s intent to remain a rigorous, evidence-based participant in national regulatory debates.
Chronology of Institutional Leadership
To understand the weight of these changes, one must examine the institutional history of the NCLC board.
- 1990: Jonathan Kravetz joins the NCLC Board of Directors, beginning a 36-year relationship with the organization.
- 1995: Michael Ferry joins the NCLC board, bringing with him decades of experience in the St. Louis legal aid community.
- 2005: Michael Ferry is elected Board President, a role he would hold for the next 21 years, overseeing the NCLC’s growth during the Great Recession and the subsequent explosion of predatory fintech lending.
- 2026 (September 14): The organization formally announces the retirement of Michael Ferry from the presidency and the succession of Jonathan Kravetz. The board simultaneously confirms the appointments of Kowalski and McCoy.
This transition is not merely administrative; it represents the passing of the torch from a generation that built the framework of modern consumer protection to a new group tasked with adapting those protections for the digital age.
Supporting Data: Profiles of the New Appointees
The strength of the NCLC’s advocacy lies in its reliance on deep legal expertise. The new board members bring substantial credentials that solidify the organization’s reputation as a "think tank" for the consumer interest.
Jim Kowalski Jr.: The Practitioner
As the head of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Kowalski has spent his career in the trenches of consumer protection. A graduate of the University of San Francisco School of Law and UC Berkeley, his background in high-stakes consumer protection litigation makes him uniquely qualified to understand how NCLC policies translate into courtroom victories for marginalized clients. His receipt of the UC Berkeley Haas Public Service Award serves as a testament to his long-standing commitment to social equity.
Patricia McCoy: The Regulatory Architect
McCoy’s resume is a roadmap of American consumer finance regulation. As the founder of the Mortgage Markets group at the CFPB and a consultant to the U.S. Treasury, she has been at the table where the rules of the road for the financial industry are written. Her academic tenure at Boston College Law School and her role as Faculty Director of the Rappaport Center for Law & Public Policy place her at the intersection of scholarship and real-world policy application.
Official Responses and Reflections
The transition was marked by a series of statements reflecting the profound respect within the consumer law community for both the outgoing and incoming leaders.
Richard Dubois: The Executive Vision
Richard Dubois, the Executive Director of the NCLC, emphasized that the board’s strength remains its collaborative spirit. "NCLC is very fortunate to add these two nationally recognized consumer law experts to our Board of Directors," Dubois stated. "Jim Kowalski brings deep experience in both legal aid and private litigation, as well as sound governance experience. Patricia McCoy’s academic and regulatory expertise add an additional layer of intellectual capital to NCLC’s board."
Dubois also paid tribute to the legacy of Michael Ferry, noting, "Mike Ferry has had an immeasurable impact on NCLC in his more than two decades as Board President. I will miss his steady guiding hand and his wisdom, but know that his leadership has put NCLC in a strong position for future success."
The New Leadership Perspective
Both Kowalski and McCoy framed their appointments as a "full circle" moment, highlighting how the NCLC’s research materials and legal treatises shaped their own professional trajectories.
"Each one of the clients I’ve helped owes a debt to NCLC, as do I," Kowalski noted, reflecting on his transition from private practice to civil legal aid. "I welcome the opportunity to give back as a member of NCLC’s Board."
McCoy echoed this sentiment, highlighting the essential nature of the NCLC’s work during her own career. "I started my legal career at Legal Services in rural Kansas, serving low-income workers and two tribal reservations. Years later, NCLC’s treatises proved essential in helping me unknot the legal landscape of subprime mortgages. To join NCLC’s board is the deepest honor and signifies coming full circle."
Implications: The Future of Economic Justice
The implications of this board reshuffling are significant for the broader consumer protection ecosystem.
1. Strengthening the "Legal Aid" Connection
By appointing Jim Kowalski, the NCLC ensures that it remains tethered to the reality of the legal aid community. As civil legal aid organizations across the country face funding cuts and rising demand, having a practitioner like Kowalski on the board ensures that NCLC’s policy efforts are grounded in the lived experiences of legal aid attorneys and their clients.
2. A Harder Line on Regulatory Policy
With Patricia McCoy on the board, the NCLC is signaling its intent to engage more deeply with the administrative state. Her expertise in banking and insurance regulation is critical as the financial sector moves toward AI-driven underwriting and opaque credit scoring models. The NCLC is now better equipped to provide the rigorous technical analysis needed to challenge these emerging systems.
3. Stability in Leadership
Jonathan Kravetz’s ascension to the presidency is a move toward stability. Having served on the board for 36 years, he represents the institutional memory of the NCLC. In a period of national political volatility, his leadership suggests that the NCLC will continue to prioritize long-term advocacy over reactionary measures, staying true to its core mission of economic justice for all.
4. A Legacy of Service
The retirement of Michael Ferry serves as a reminder of the "long game" required in legal advocacy. His 21-year presidency saw the NCLC evolve from a specialized research group into a national powerhouse in the consumer advocacy space. His successor and the new board members have inherited an organization that is not only well-funded and professionally managed but also deeply respected by both allies and adversaries in the financial sector.
Conclusion
The events of September 14, 2026, represent more than just a change in personnel; they represent a strategic realignment. By blending the institutional wisdom of Jonathan Kravetz, the frontline expertise of Jim Kowalski, and the high-level regulatory acumen of Patricia McCoy, the National Consumer Law Center is positioning itself to be a formidable force in the coming decade. As the financial landscape becomes increasingly digital and complex, the NCLC’s refreshed leadership will be tasked with ensuring that the fundamental principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability remain at the heart of the American economy.
