Awards and Prizes
Student Awards
The faculty recognizes outstanding academic achievement and significant contributions to the Law School community through these awards.
A. H. McLeod Prize
Presented to a third-year student who has demonstrated interest and skill in Advocacy
Sponsored by Doug McLeod
Albert E. Utton Natural Resources Law Award
Award presented to a third-year law student who has shown excellence and interest in Natural Resources Law
Sponsored by Mary Utton & others
ALI-CLE Award (formerly ALI/ABA)
Recognizes a student who best represents a combination of scholarship and leadership
Sponsored by the American Law Institute and the American Bar Association
American Bankruptcy Institute Medal
Reconizes a student for excellence in Bankruptcy Studies
Sponsored by the American Bankruptcy Institute
Ann C. Scales Jurisprudence Award
Awarded to the student who has demonstrated a commitment to moving the law forward in the service of humanity. Further, it goes to a student who has shown an interest and commitment to promoting change of public policy and legal rights through innovative or creative legal work.
Sponsored by the Hon. Linda Vanzi
Atkinson & Kelsey Award for Excellence in Family Law
Recognizes excellence in Family Law
Sponsored by Atkinson & Kelsey, P.A.
Award for Excellence in International Law and Comparative Law
Recognizes excellence in International Law
Sponsored by Professor Jenny Moore
Clinical Legal Education Association Outstanding Student Award
Recognizes a third-year student who excelled in Clinical Legal Education
Sponsored by the Clinical Legal Education Association
Corporate & Business Law Award
Recognizes a third-year student for excellence in Corporation and Business Law (formerly Wall Street Journal Award)
Sponsored by the UNM School of Law Business Law Faculty
Dean's Awards
Honors students for outstanding contributions to the law school community; committee makes nominations to Dean
Faculty Award
Recognizes outstanding contributions to the law school community
Sponsored by the UNM School of Law Faculty
Felix Briones Award in Ethical Integrity in Business Law
Recognizes a third-year student who best represents a combination of scholarship, leadership and ethics in the area of business.
Sponsored by Viola Briones & Felix Briones; B.Paul & Theresa Briones; Thomas & Stephanie Briones and Four Corners Community Bank
Frederick M. Hart Prize
Honors students who have shown excellence in Commercial Law
Sponsored by Emeritus Professor Robert Desiderio
Freedman, Boyd, Hollander, Goldberg Urias & Ward P.A. Award for Excellence in Criminal Law
Recognizes excellence in Criminal Law
Sponsored by Freedman, Boyd, Hollander, Goldberg Urias & Ward P.A.
Health Law Scholar Award
Presented to a third-year student who has demonstrated interest and proficiency in Health Law
Sponsored by an Anonymous Donor
Henry Kent Anderson Human Services Award
Student is an enrolled member of an Indian Tribe, recipient must have demonstrated through exemplary work in deed concern for the victims of societies' inequities. A member of the law school Indian faculty must be included in the student selection process. Award is for a 3L if no qualified candidate, see Asst. Dean for Advancement.
Sponsored by the Anderson Fund
Honorable Pete Domenici Award for Environmental Excellence, endowed by Paul Bohannon
Recognizes excellence in Environmental Law
Sponsored by Paul Bohannon
Hugh B. Muir Award
Recognizes excellence in Tax Law
Sponsored in part by Stephen Richard Nelson, NM Tax Research Institute, Emeritus Professor Ted Occhialino, Emeritus Professor Robert Schwartz and the State Bar of New Mexico
Immigration Advocacy Award
Recognizes a student who, through law school courses and/ or activities, has demonstrated a passion and commitment to serve the immigrant population
Irwin Stern Moise Award in Legal and Judicial Ethics
Recognizes a third-year student deemed most deserving on the basis of demonstrated scholarship, interest, and activity in the fields of legal and judicial ethics
Sponsored by Steven K. Moise
Jerrold L. Walden Memorial Award
Recognizes a student who has evidenced the qualities of heart that distinguished Professor Walden
Sponsored by Thomas and Evonne Olson
Judge Oliver Seth Award for Excellence in Alternative Dispute Resolution
Recognizes a student for excellence in Alternative Dispute Resolution
Sponsored by Jean Seth
Judge Oliver Seth Award in Ethics
Recognizes a student for excellence in the area of legal ethics
Sponsored by Jean Seth
Law Offices of Lynda Latta Award for Excellence in Family Law Advocacy
Recognizes excellence in Family Law Advocacy
Sponsored by Law Offices of Lynda Latta, LLC
Lewis R. Sutin Award
This award is presented to an outstanding student in either Trial or Appellate Advocacy.
Sponsored by The Honorable Jonathan B. Sutin
LexisNexis Awards
Acknowledge outstanding contributions to scholarship by the top three ranked members of the third-year class
Sponsored by LexisNexis
Margaret Keiper Dailey Award
Given in recognition of awareness of social problems, concern for people in trouble and professional dedication to equal justice for all
Sponsored by The Honorable Marybelle Dailey Mueller
Mary Beth & W. Richard West, Jr. Award for Excellence in Indian Law
Graduating 3L who is an American Indian. Must be a Native and demonstrated excellence in Indian Law. Award goes to one student per year. If there is not a single American Indian 3L who meets the criteria, it may be split between two 3L American Indian students. If there are no American Indian 3L’s award may go to a non American Indian 3L with donor approval. No Criteria requiring Indian Law Faculty approval, award selected by committee.
Sponsored by Mary Beth and W. Richard West, Jr.
Maureen Sanders Award for Excellence in Insurance Law
Established in honor of alumna and former professor Maureen Sanders. Nominees must have displayed excellence in the area of insurance law.
Michael Browde Award for Excellence in Constitutional Law
Nominees must have displayed excellence in the area of Constitutional Law during law school.
Sponsored by Emeritus Professor Ted Occhialino
National Association of Women Lawyers' Award
Presented to a third-year student for academic achievement, interest, and contribution to the advancement of women in society
Sponsored by the National Association of Women Lawyers
Natural Resources and Environmental Law Program Award
Presented to a student for outstanding service and commitment to the natural resources and environmental law program
Thomson West Group Award for Domestic Relations Law
Recognizes a student for demonstrated excellence and interest in Domestic Relations Law
Sponsored by the Thomson West Group
Tom & Ruth Montoya Award
Recognizes the third year student whose hard work and dedication resulted in the highest 3 year academic improvement.
Tom & Ruth Montoya
Tort Scholar Award
Recognizes a student who has demonstrated interest and proficiency in Tort Law
Sponsored by an Anonymous Donor
West Academic Award
Outstanding contribution to scholarship by a member of the third-year class
Sponsored by West Academic
