Justice Pamela Burgy Minzner Award in Professionalism and Legal Ethics and the Salazar Prize for Outstanding Academic Achievement were Awarded to Third-Year Students
September 23, 2025
The School of Law is excited to announce two outstanding student achievements. Kieran Raney has been awarded the 2025 Justice Pamela Burgy Minzner Award, and Rachel Swanteson-Franz has received the 2025 Salazar Prize for Outstanding Academic Achievement.
The Justice Pamela Burgy Minzner Award is awarded annually to a School of Law student entering their final year of law school who demonstrates excellence in professionalism and legal ethics. The Justice Pamela Burgy Minzner Award was established in 2014 by Richard C. Minzner, an attorney at the Rodey Law Firm, in honor of Pamela Burgy Minzner, the first female Chief Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court. Student recipient Kieran Raney shared, “I want to give my utmost thanks to Mr. Minzner for his incredible generosity, because it is thanks to those like him that I am able to attend law school. Justice Minzner has always been described as someone of exceptional character who has permanently shaped the character of our legal community. Someone who was thoughtful, intelligent, genuine, and compassionate. I do not see this award as just the greatest honor of my time in law school, but a call to embody these values in the future. As a transgender person, I never imagined there would be a place for me in the legal field. I chose UNM in no small part due to how welcoming it has been, and I am so grateful for my community here. I see this moment to be as much a reflection of you all, because together we make each other so much better.”
The Salazar Prize for Outstanding Academic Achievement is awarded each year to the School of Law student with the highest cumulative grade point average at the conclusion of the second year of law school. The Salazar Prize was established in 2013 by John P. Salazar, an attorney with the Rodey Law Firm, and his wife, Terri. The prize was created in memory of Salazar’s late uncle, Tibo J. Chavez, an attorney, politician, and judge who served as lieutenant governor of New Mexico and in the New Mexico Senate. Student recipient Rachel Swanteson-Franz shared, “I am so grateful for Mr. Salazar and his family for their generosity and support. Mr. Tibo J. Chavez has left an incredible legacy and truly exemplified what it means to be a part of New Mexico’s wonderful community. I hope that one day soon I can pay this support forward to the next generation and do my part in giving back to New Mexico. Of course, my academic success has little to do with me, and everything to do with the support of my family and friends as well as the mentorship of wonderful professors.”
Congratulations to both Raney and Swanteson-Franz on these well-deserved honors. The School of Law would also like to thank John Salazar and Dick Minzner for their generosity and continued support of our law students.
