The Honorable Ignacio Torteya, III (BA ’92, JD ’95) Named 2025 Baylor Lawyer of the Year

Baylor Law School has named The Honorable Ignacio Torteya, III, United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Texas, as the 2025 Baylor Lawyer of the Year. Judge Torteya received the award during a ceremony held on Friday, June 13, 2025, in Brownsville, Texas.

The Baylor Lawyer of the Year award recognizes an alumna or alumnus who has brought distinction to Baylor Law School and the legal profession. Recipients are selected based on their sustained and meaningful engagement with Baylor Law, significant contributions to the legal field, and a demonstrated commitment to integrity, legal excellence, Christian values, and civic and social responsibility. Judge Torteya exemplifies these values, professionally and personally.   

Judge Torteya earned a BA in Political Science from Baylor University and a JD from Baylor Law School. During law school, he also earned a diploma in U.S.-Mexico Comparative Law from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara as part of Baylor Law’s inaugural International Law Summer Program. At the time, he served as President of the International Law Society.

Judge Torteya was sworn in as United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Texas, Brownsville Division on January 24, 2014. He began his law career as an associate attorney with an international law firm in San Antonio before returning to Brownsville to clerk for the late United States District Judge Filemon B. Vela, Sr., whom he counts among his greatest mentors. He then established the Torteya Law Firm, during which time he also taught International Business Law at the former University of Texas at Brownsville and served as the City of Brownsville’s Associate Municipal Court Judge for nearly a decade.  

As a U.S. Magistrate Judge, Judge Torteya serves with distinction, contributing to the advancement of international legal education and diplomacy. He has served as Special Counsel to the Mexican Consulate General in Brownsville and has been repeatedly drafted by the Department of Justice, in conjunction with the Departments of State and Homeland Security, to lead legal training sessions for prosecutors and judges in Mexico, Central, and South America.  

In addition to his sustained involvement with his community and church, Judge Torteya has been a consistent contributor to numerous local, state, and national professional organizations. He is the National President-Elect of the Federal Magistrate Judges Association and will assume the presidency at the association’s annual meeting in July. Other present or prior affiliations include the Cameron County, American, Federal, and Hispanic National Bar Associations, to name a few. 

Judge Torteya has remained closely connected to his alma mater, proudly flinging his Green and Gold afar in the Rio Grande Valley and returning to campus often to support Baylor Athletics events. He is a Lifetime Member of the Baylor Law Alumni Association and serves on the Association’s Executive Committee. He has mentored Baylor Law students during their judicial internships, and participated in Top Gun competitions, Baylor Law Federal Judges’ Gatherings, and Judicial Clerkship Receptions. He recently hired his first Baylor Lawyer (Riya Chaudhari, JD ’23) as a Judicial Law Clerk and noted that he hopes this is the first of many. 

“It is with deep humility and profound gratitude that I accept the 2025 Baylor Lawyer of the Year Award. I want to thank Baylor Law School and the Baylor Law Alumni Association for this recognition. Being recognized by the institution that shaped me as a lawyer, and more importantly, as a person, is an honor that I will cherish forever.” 

– Judge Ignacio Torteya, III

“Baylor Law instilled in us that being a good lawyer isn’t just about being smart or skilled. It’s about being ethical, dependable, and principled. Baylor Law didn’t just teach us the law, it trained us to lead with integrity, to advocate with precision, and to serve with compassion," Judge Torteya said. "We learned that excellence was the floor, not the ceiling – and we learned to practice law with purpose, preparation, and passion. For that, I am eternally grateful.” 

“Judge Torteya exemplifies the highest ideals of the legal profession and of Baylor Law School. His distinguished service on the federal bench, his leadership in international legal education, and his unwavering commitment to justice and community reflect the values we strive to instill in every Baylor Lawyer. We are proud to honor him with this well-deserved recognition.”

– Dean Jeremy Counseller 

The ceremony included remarks from Dean Counseller and an invocation by Rev. Monsignor Heberto M. Diaz, Jr. Judge Torteya was introduced by Dean Emeritus Brad Toben and Dino Esparza (JD ’95). In his remarks, Judge Torteya reflected on the influence of his family, mentors, and Baylor Law professors, including William Trail, David Guinn, Brian Serr, and Patricia Wilson. He gave special recognition to the late Professor Louis Muldrow, whose legendary Practice Court course was a defining experience. Known for his high expectations and rigorous standards, Muldrow instilled in students a mindset of preparation and excellence that Judge Torteya carried with him throughout his career. A congratulatory message from Muldrow on the morning of Judge Torteya’s 2014 investiture remains one of his most treasured memories.

A proud member of the Class of 1995, Judge Torteya reflected on the unique bond shared by his small fall graduating class, which included just 12 students. Among them were three high school classmates from Brownsville—Judge René De Coss, Dino Esparza, and Judge Torteya himself. He also acknowledged the presence of fellow classmate and longtime friend Henry B. Gonzalez, III. Surrounded by his family, Judge Torteya expressed deep gratitude for their unwavering support, noting that their belief in him has made all the difference. Their presence underscored the personal significance of the occasion and the values that have guided his journey.

The 2025 Baylor Lawyer of the Year award celebrates Judge Torteya’s exemplary service, leadership, and enduring impact on the legal profession and Baylor Law. He joins a distinguished group of alumni whose careers have brought honor to the school and the legal field.

Baylor Lawyers of the Year Honorees include:

2025 – Ignacio Torteya, III
2024 – Amos L. Mazzant, III
2023  – Bradley J.B. Toben
2022  – Michael P. Heiskell
2021 – Gerald R. Powell
2020 – Ike Vanden Eykel
2019 – Lewis R. Sifford 
2018 – J. Rodney Gilstrap
2017 – Murray Watson, Jr.
2016 – T. Albert Witcher
2015 – Jerry K. Clements
2014 – Bill Brian
2013 – David M. Guinn
2012 – Leonard E. Davis
2011 – Stephen E. McConnico
2010 – Ed Kinkeade
2009 – George Chandler
2008 – Joe E. Coleman
2007 – Sam R. Cummings
2006 – Noley R. Bice, Jr.
2005 – Wyatt H. Heard
2004 – T. John Ward
2003 – Turner W. Branch
2002 – John Eddie Williams
2001 – Harold Nix
2000 – Louis Muldrow
1999 – Walter Umphrey
1998 – Gordon L. Hollon
1997 – James M. “Jim” Farris
1996 – Jack Hightower
1995 – John T. Boyd
1994 – Bob Bullock
1993 – Bill Logue
1992 – Rex Houston
1991 – Sam B. Hall, Jr.
1990 – Edwin P. Horner
1989 – George M. Cowden
1988 – William S. Sessions
1987 – R. Matt Dawson
1986 – Robert Maurice Campbell
1985 – Bill D. Daniel
1984 – Angus S. McSwain, Jr.
1983 – Wayne Fisher
1982 – Clarence A. Guittard
1981 – John H. Minton, Jr.
1980 – Cullen Smith
1979 – Howard F. Saunders
1978 – Connally McKay
1977 – William J. Boswell
1976 – Claude Williams
1975 – Gibson Gayle, Jr.
1974 – Jim D. Bowmer
1973 – Truman E. Roberts
1972 – Charles W. Barrow
1971 – W. R. “Bob” Poage
1970 – Morris Harrell
1969 – Thomas C. Mann
1968 – Frank M. Wilson
1967 – Victor W. Bouldin
1966 – Abner V. McCall
1965 – M. Price Daniel
1964 – Leon Jaworski
1963 – A. J. Folley