The Justice Pamela Burgy Minzner Award in Professionalism and Legal Ethics and the Salazar Prize for Outstanding Academic Achievement Awarded to Third-Year Students
September 22, 2026
The School of Law is proud to announce two outstanding student achievements. Andrew Kessel has been awarded the 2026 Justice Pamela Burgy Minzner Award, and Sonya Radetsky has received the 2026 Salazar Prize for Outstanding Academic Achievement.
The Justice Pamela Burgy Minzner Award is presented annually to a School of Law student entering their final year of law school who demonstrates excellence in professionalism and legal ethics. The award was established in 2014 by Richard C. Minzner, Of Counsel at the Rodey Law Firm, in honor of Pamela Burgy Minzner, the first female Chief Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court. Award recipient Andrew Kessel shared his gratitude for this honor, as well as the values and legacy it represents:
“I am deeply grateful to Mr. Richard Minzner for his generosity and support here at UNM Law. Justice Minzner left a lasting legacy as a profound jurist and an exemplar of grace, respect, and compassion. I share her belief that our highest purpose in this profession is to do what is right, even when it is difficult. Receiving this award is a tremendous honor. It inspires me to anchor my legal career in truth and to lead with the humility the Chief Justice embodied. Ultimately, I would not be the human I am today without the unwavering support of my lovely family, amazing friends, and this wonderful community.”
The Salazar Prize for Outstanding Academic Achievement is presented each year to the School of Law student with the highest cumulative grade point average at the conclusion of their 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, who inspired lives of service and excellence in the law. Award recipient Sonya Radetsky expressed her gratitude for this honor, as well as the community that has supported her throughout law school:
“I am deeply grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Salazar for this honor and for their generosity and support. I see this award as a reflection not just of my own work, but of the community that has supported me throughout law school. I have been incredibly fortunate to learn from generous teachers and mentors who have given their time, energy, and wisdom to students like me, and from friends and classmates who remind me every day how to approach this work with ambition, care, and humor. I hope to carry what I have learned from all of them forward and, in time, to give that same support to others. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to celebrate not only this achievement, but the people who have helped me along the way.”
Congratulations to Andrew Kessel and Sonya Radetsky on these well-deserved honors. The School of Law would also like to thank John P. Salazar and Richard C. Minzner for their generosity and continued support of our law students.
