Ernest C. Torres
Encyclopedia
Ernest C. Torres is a former United States federal judge
.
Born in New Bedford, Massachusetts
, Torres received an A.B.
from Dartmouth College
in 1963 and a J.D.
from Duke University School of Law
in 1968. He was in private practice in Providence, Rhode Island
from 1968 to 1980. He was a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives
from 1975 to 1980, serving as deputy minority leader from 1977 to 1980. He was an Associate justice, Rhode Island Superior Court
from 1980 to 1985. He was an Assistant vice president in charge of national staff counsel, Aetna Life Insurance Company from 1985 to 1986. He was in private practice in Providence, Rhode Island
from 1986 to 1988.
Torres was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island
. Torres was nominated by President Ronald Reagan
on June 22, 1987, to a seat vacated by Bruce M. Selya. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
on November 5, 1987, and received his commission on November 6, 1987. He served as chief judge from 1999-2006. He assumed senior status
on December 1, 2006 and retired June 1, 2011.
United States federal judge
In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
.
Born in New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, located south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and about east of Fall River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 95,072, making it the sixth-largest city in Massachusetts...
, Torres received an A.B.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
in 1963 and a J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from Duke University School of Law
Duke University School of Law
The Duke University School of Law is the law school and a constituent academic unit of Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States. One of Duke's 10 schools and colleges, the School of Law began as the Trinity College School of Law in 1868. In 1924, following the renaming of Trinity...
in 1968. He was in private practice in Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
from 1968 to 1980. He was a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives
Rhode Island House of Representatives
The Rhode Island House of Representatives is the lower house of the Rhode Island General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. State of Rhode Island. It is composed of 75 members, elected to two year terms from 75 districts of equal population. The Rhode Island General Assembly does not have...
from 1975 to 1980, serving as deputy minority leader from 1977 to 1980. He was an Associate justice, Rhode Island Superior Court
Rhode Island Superior Court
The Rhode Island Superior Court is the state trial court of general jurisdiction in Rhode Island.-Jurisdiction:It has original jurisdiction in all felony proceedings, civil matters with an amount in controversy in excess of $10,000, and all matters of equity...
from 1980 to 1985. He was an Assistant vice president in charge of national staff counsel, Aetna Life Insurance Company from 1985 to 1986. He was in private practice in Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
from 1986 to 1988.
Torres was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island
United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island
The United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island is the Federal district court whose jurisdiction is the state of Rhode Island. The District Court was created in 1790 when Rhode Island ratified the Constitution...
. Torres was nominated by President Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
on June 22, 1987, to a seat vacated by Bruce M. Selya. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on November 5, 1987, and received his commission on November 6, 1987. He served as chief judge from 1999-2006. He assumed senior status
Senior status
Senior status is a form of semi-retirement for United States federal judges, and judges in some state court systems. After federal judges have reached a certain combination of age and years of service on the federal courts, they are allowed to assume senior status...
on December 1, 2006 and retired June 1, 2011.