On Friday, October 23, our very own Roshanna Toya was awarded Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year at the 2026 State Bar of New Mexico's Annual Award ceremony.  The State Bar's awards recognize individuals who have made exemplary contributions to New Mexico's legal profession, and Roshanna received the top award for a young attorney.  The selection committee recognized Roshanna's incredible work across the areas of criminal defense, civil litigation and Indian Law.  The committee also highlighted her dual role as a public servant through her work as a tribal Judge and Justice in tribal court systems throughout the state, as well as her inspiring role as a leader and mentor to countless young native attorneys and aspiring attorneys. 

In Roshanna's acceptance speech, she spoke about the importance of tribal sovereignty and the key role that tribal courts play in fostering justice and furthering critical principles of self-governance and tribal autonomy.  She also spoke about balancing her public service work and her busy litigation practice.  In her final remarks, she discussed the importance of bringing tribal knowledge and tradition to the state's legal profession, and the ceremony closed with a beautiful and moving drum and honor song performance sung in Towa by members of Jemez Pueblo. 

At the award ceremony, Roshanna was loudly cheered on by her husband, children, parents, countless family members, friends, and her Rothstein Donatelli colleagues.  On behalf of everyone at the Firm, we heartily congratulate Roshanna on this very well-deserved recognition as the State's outstanding young lawyer for 2026.