Outstanding Student Papers
HELEN S. CARTER PRIZE
The Helen S. Carter Writing Prize provides recognition for excellent written work by UNM law students. Any second or third year student at the University of New Mexico School of Law is eligible to participate.
Papers may be written as part of a course/seminar requirement or independent research, or for the purpose of being entered in this writing competition. The successful paper will be substantial and will be of publishable quality. Papers may be on any topic to be considered for the Carter Prize.
A paper that has been edited by individuals other than the writer (e.g., a law review note/comment prepared for publication) is not eligible, but an earlier version that is wholly the work of the author may be submitted.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: Papers are to be nominated by a member of the faculty, or by an adjunct faculty member. Students may request that a paper be submitted on their behalf by a faculty member or adjunct faculty member.
RAYMOND W. SCHOWERS WRITING PRIZE
The Raymond W. Schowers Writing Prize will be given to a second or third year student who demonstrates writing excellence in the areas of Constitutional law or free speech. This prize was established by the estate of Raymond Schowers a 1973 UNM Law graduate, who passed away in 1995.
A paper that has been edited by individuals other than the writer (e.g., a law review note/comment prepared for publication) is not eligible, but an earlier version that is wholly the work of the author may be submitted.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: Students submit their papers themselves.
2021
Helen S. Carter Prize
Clay Wilwol
“’Reverse’ 404(b) Is Not an Evidence Law Issue: A Call to Revive the Compulsory Process Clause as a Vehicle for Evidence Admission”
Raymond W. Schowers Prize
Jarrod Greth
“The Future of Nondelegation: Resurrecting the Doctrine Through a Novel Balancing Test”
2020
Helen S. Carter Prize
Jacques Chouinard
“Scooting Under the Influence: Criminal Liability in the Age of Micro-Transit”
Raymond W. Schowers Prize
Denali Wilson
“Another Chance: Towards Constitutional Sentencing of New Mexico’s Youth”
2017
Helen S. Carter Prize
Matthew Ramirez
"Cannabis in Indian Country: Policy, Politics, and Guidance for Government-to-Government Cooperation in the Establishment of Indian Medical Cannabis Programs in New Mexico"
Raymond W. Schowers Prize
David Domingos
"Case Note on State v. Castro: Ineffective Assistance of Counsel in New Mexico"
2016
Raymond W. Schowers Prize
Javier Garcia
"Creating a Bivens Actions for Noncitizen Detainees Restrained Indiscriminately During Removal Proceedings."
Helen S. Carter Prize
William Scott Rode
"The Problem of the Injured Rescuer: Rescue Without Law"
2015
Raymond W. Schowers Prize
Jeffrey Randy Taylor
"The Constitutional Catch-22 of Bipartisanship Requirements"
Helen S. Carter Prize
Xochitl Torres-Small
"Water Use and Recycling in Hydraulic Fracturing: Creating a Regulatory Pilot for Smarter Water Use in the West"
2014
Helen S. Carter Prize & Raymond W. Schowers Prize
Emily Carey ('14)
2012
Helen S. Carter Prize
Kevin Grzebielski (`13)
“He’s the One!: A Case for Eyewitness Identification Reform in New Mexico.”
No Raymond W. Schowers Award was presented.
2011
Raymond W. Schowers Prize
Eugenia Lindsey (`11)
“An Evolution of the Free Exercise Clause: How the Free Exercise Clause Has Been Weakened and Why Courts Should Take Notice.”
Helen S. Carter Prize
Gregory Cole (`11)
“Child Soldiers and the US Persecutor Bar: Keeping Those in Need Out of the Country.”
2010
Raymond W. Schowers Prize
Hajra Malik (`10)
“Raiding The American Workplace: Federal Preemption and State Rights in Curbing Unlawful Alien Employment.”
Helen S. Carter Prize
Gabriela Ibañez Guzmán (`10)
“Arraigo Social: Bringing Spanish `Rootedness’ to the United States as a Model for Immigration Reform.”
2009
Raymond W. Schowers Prize
Kevin Pierce (`09)
“Out with the New, In with the Old: Reconsidering the Analytical Framework for Excessive Force Claims Created in Cortez v. McCauley.”
Helen S. Carter Prize
Kate Fitz Gibbon (`09)
“Dangerous Objects: Museums and Antiquities in 2008.”
2008
Raymond W. Schowers Prize
Karl Reifsteck (`08)
“Words Felt ‘Round the World: Searching for a Balance between Free Speech and Genocide Prevention.”
Helen S. Carter Prize
Kristina Fisher (`08)
“The Colonia and the Landfill: Colonias Development Council v. Rhino Environmental Services, Inc.”
Don G. McCormick Prize
Aristide Chakeres (`08)
“The Tension Between Sovereign Immunity and Popular Sovereignty.”
2007
Helen S. Carter Prize
Diane Albert (`07)
“Government-funded Software: Should it Reside in the Public Domain or be Owned by the Private Contractors That Created It?”
Raymond W. Schowers Prize
Patrick Mason (`06)
“Comparative Constitutional Law: A Comparison of Protections for Religious Freedom in the Public Schools of Malta and the United States.”
