Torres Confirmation Adds Another Exceptional Female Jurist to Federal Bench
Gillibrand: “Judge Torres Is Extremely Well Qualified, Well Suited To Serve As Federal Court Judge”
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced today that the U.S. Senate confirmed her second judicial nominee, Ms. Analisa Torres, to serve as a U.S. District Court Judge for the Southern District of New York. Senator Gillibrand recommended her for the position last November in an effort to add another exceptional female jurist to the federal bench.
Judge Torres currently serves as ...
Justice on the New York County Supreme Court, criminal term. Throughout her lifetime of public service and legal experience, the Honorable Analisa Torres has exemplified pragmatism, commitment to sound and fair reasoning, and a dedication to her community.
Justice on the New York County Supreme Court, criminal term. Throughout her lifetime of public service and legal experience, the Honorable Analisa Torres has exemplified pragmatism, commitment to sound and fair reasoning, and a dedication to her community.
“Ms. Torres is a highly experienced and exceptional attorney, who is extremely well qualified to serve as a federal court judge,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Her breadth of knowledge, fair-mindedness, and deep commitment to public service make Judge Torres ideal to serve on the federal bench. I applaud my Senate colleagues for putting aside differences and confirming the type of consensus nominee we have in Judge Torres. I am confident Judge Torres will serve with the highest integrity and distinction.”
From 2004 to 2011, Judge Torres served on the New York County Supreme Court as an Acting Justice, having been appointed by Chief Administrative Judge Jonathan Lippman. Prior to serving on the New York County Supreme Court, Judge Torres served as a Judge on the Civil Court of the City of New York from 2003 to 2004, and a Judge on the Criminal Court of the City of New York from 2000 to 2002. Judge Torres was also a law clerk to Justice Elliott Wilk from 1992 to 1999, and served as a Commissioner on the City Planning Commission from 1993 to 1995. She was an associate at Patterson, Belknap, Webb & Tyler from 1988 to 1992, an associate at Coudert Brothers from 1985 to 1987, and an associate at Kaye Scholer LLP from 1984 to 1985. Judge Torres was a teacher at De La Salle Academy from 1987 to 1988. Judge Torres is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law and received her bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude from Harvard College.
In addition to her professional work, Judge Torres currently chairs the Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation, a role she has served in since 2007, after serving as a director there for almost a decade.
Today, women make up approximately 30% of the federal bench, according to the National Women’s Law Center. For the first time in history, that holds true in trial courts, courts of appeal, and the Supreme Court. But Senator Gillibrand noted that we must continue moving forward. Only 66 women of color, including 25 Latina women, currently serve as active federal judges – out of the 750 active federal judges across the country, which is less than 10 percent.
In March of 2012, the U.S. Senate confirmed Senator Gillibrand’s very first judicial nominee, Ms. Ronnie Abrams, to serve as a U.S. District Court Judge for the Southern District of New York.