Awards and Prizes
Student Awards
The faculty recognizes outstanding academic achievement and significant contributions to the Law School community through these awards.
ABA/BNA Award-Employment & Labor Law
Recognizes excellence in the study of Employment & Labor Law
Sponsored by the American Bar Association and Bloomberg BNA
Art Committee's Creative Spirit Award
Awarded to a graduating Third-Year Law Student who has enriched the community through art or entertainment.
Award for Excellence in International Law and Comparative Law
Recognizes excellence in International Law
Sponsored by Professor Jenny Moore
ALI-CLE Award
Recognizes a student who best represents a combination of scholarship and leadership
Sponsored by the American Law Institute and the American Bar Association
ABA/BNA Award in Intellectual Property
Recognizes excellence in the study of Intellectual Property Law
Sponsored by the American Bar Association and Bloomberg BNA
Judge Oliver Seth Award for Excellence in Alternative Dispute Resolution
Recognizes a student for excellence in Alternative Dispute Resolution
Sponsored by Jean Seth
Albert E. Utton Natural Resources Law Award
Recognizes a student who has shown excellence and interest in Natural Resources Law
Sponsored by Mary Utton & others
Honorable Pete Domenici Award for Environmental Excellence, endowed by Paul Bohannon
Recognizes excellence in Environmental Law
Sponsored by Paul Bohannon
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.
Atkinson & Kelsey Award for Excellence in Family Law
Recognizes excellence in Family Law
Sponsored by Atkinson & Kelsey, P.A.
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
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
National Association of Women Lawyers' Award
Presented to a student for academic achievement, interest, and contribution to the advancement of women in society
Sponsored by the National Association of Women Lawyers
Irwin Stern Moise Award in Legal and Judicial Ethics
Recognizes a student who has demonstrated excellence in scholarship, interest, and activity in the fields of legal and judicial ethics
Sponsored by Steven K. Moise
Judge Oliver Seth Award in Ethics
Recognizes a student for excellence in the area of legal ethics
Sponsored by Jean Seth
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
Faculty Award
Recognizes outstanding contributions to the law school community
Sponsored by the UNM School of Law Faculty
West Book Award
Recognizes outstanding scholastic achievement
Sponsored by Thomson Reuters
Lewis R. Sutin Award
Presented to an outstanding student in either Trial or Appellate Advocacy
Sponsored by The Honorable Jonathan B. Sutin
A. H. McLeod Prize
Presented to a student who has demonstrated interest and skill in Advocacy
Sponsored by Doug McLeod
Clinical Legal Education Association Outstanding Student Award
Recognizes a student who excelled in Clinical Legal Education
Sponsored by the Clinical Legal Education Association
Honors in Clinical Law
Recognizes outstanding performance in the clinical program
Jackie Rashleger Award
Recognizes outstanding performance in the Southwest Indian Law Clinic
Margaret Keiper Dailey Award
Recognizes a student who demonstrates awareness of social problems, concern for people in trouble and professional dedication to equal justice for all
Sponsored by The Honorable Marybelle Dailey Mueller
Michael Browde Award for Excellence in Constitutional Law
Recognizes a student who has displayed excellence in the area of Constitutional Law
Sponsored by Emeritus Professor Ted Occhialino
American Bankruptcy Institute Medal
Recognizes a student for excellence in Bankruptcy Law
Sponsored by the American Bankruptcy Institute
Frederick M. Hart Award
Honors a student who has shown excellence in Commercial Law
Sponsored by Emeritus Professor Robert Desiderio
Felix Briones Award in Ethical Integrity in Business Law
Recognizes a 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
Corporate & Business Law Award
Recognizes a student for excellence in Corporation and Business Law
Sponsored by the UNM School of Law Business Law Faculty
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
ABA/BNA Award- Health Law
Recognizes excellence in the study of Health Law
Sponsored by American Bar Association and Bloomberg BNA
Health Law Scholar Award
Recognizes a student who has demonstrated interest and proficiency in Health Law
Sponsored by an Anonymous Donor
Mary Beth & W. Richard West, Jr. Award for Excellence in Indian Law
Recognizes a Native American student who has shown excellence in and commitment to the area of Indian law
Sponsored by Mary Beth and W. Richard West, Jr.
Henry Kent Anderson Human Services Award
Student is an enrolled member of an Indian Tribe, recipient must have demonstrated through exemplary work and deed concern for the victims of societies' inequities.
Sponsored by the Anderson Fund
Tort Scholar Award
Recognizes a student who has demonstrated interest and proficiency in Tort Law
Sponsored by an Anonymous Donor
Sheehan & Sheehan Pursuit of Excellence Award
Recognizes a student for pursuit of excellence
Sponsored by Sheehan & Sheehan, P.A.
LexisNexis Awards
Acknowledges outstanding academic achievement by the three top ranked members of the graduating class
Sponsored by LexisNexis
Dean's Awards
Honors students for outstanding contributions to the law school community
Salazar Prize
Awarded annually to the UNM Law student with the highest cumulative grade point average at the conclusion of the second year of law school.
Sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. John P. Salazar, Esq., in memory of the Honorable Tibo J. Chavez.
Justice Pamela B. Minzner Award for Professionalism and Ethics
Awarded annually to a UNM Law student entering the final year of law school who demonstrates need and an interest in professionalism and legal ethics.
Established to honor the memory of Justice Pamela B. Minzner
Daniels Diploma
Awarded to the student who, by scholarship, conduct and character, has demonstrated evidence of the greatest promise upon graduation. Will generally be awarded to the student who graduates as the top ranking student in his or her class over their three consecutive years of legal studies at the UNM School of Law
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
Natural Resources and Environmental Law Program Award
Presented to a student for outstanding service and commitment to the natural resources and environmental law program
