Monday, October 29, 2012

PRBA Honors Past Presidents of the Puerto Rican Bar Association

Platanos and Filet Mignon at PRBA event
The Puerto Rican Bar Association event: Honoring our Ex-Officios As We Lead and Look to the Future was held at Kasowitz, Benson, Torres, & Friedman last week.

Past Presidents of the PRBA were honored.  Judge Eduardo Padro spoke about the history of the legal community and its affects on Puerto Ricans.  He visualized it as a Broadway show with ACTS 1, 2 and 3. Act 1 recalled the past and the dearth of Puerto Ricans in the the practice of law.  Act 2 was about more modern times, culminating with the appointment of Justice Sonia Sotomayor, a former member of the PRBA, to the Supreme Court of the United States.  Act 3, Judge Pardo, said is yet to be written, but offered an aspiring realm of possibilities as to how far we can go!

Judge John Carro as well gave an inspiring speech as he recalled his mother, a "jibarita", who came to New York with a grammar school education.  Calling her his "hero" because she came to this country with so little.  He recalled when the PRBA was only about 30 members and now its close to 3000 members.  He shared that he initially wanted to be a police officer, but there was a height requirement of 5 feet 8 1/2 inches tall, which he did not reach.  Subsequently after becoming a lawyer he went on to sue the police department for the discriminatory practice and ultimately won. Hence, police officers now come in all shapes and sizes.

The evening then ended with presenting the past presidents, "ex-officios", with a small gift.

The evening was also quite appetizing with empanadillas, papas rellenas, and my favorite- platanos with filet mignon.


EX-OFFICIOS/PAST PRESIDENTS INCLUDE: Rosevelie Márquez Morales, Esq. Catherine Torres, Esq. Hon. Roberto Ramírez Maria Matos, Esq. Edgardo A. Flores, Esq. David Hernández, Esq. Janet Alvarez, Esq. Edgar de León, Esq. Dolly Caraballo, Esq. James Castro-Blanco, Esq. Ellie Jurado-Nieves, Esq. Damaris E. Torrent, Esq. Roberto G. Lebrón, Esq. Carmen Rita Torrent, Esq. Hon. Nelson S. Román Telesforo del Valle, Esq. Ramon Cintron, Esq. Sandra Otero, Esq. Hon. Mary-Ann Brigantti-Hughes Roberto Laracuente, Esq. Franklyn Pérez, Esq. Hon. Anthony Suárez Hon. Gloria Sosa-Litner Hon. Peter Rivera Hon. Nicholas Figueroa Demonstenes Santiago-Rogue, Esq. Roberto Lebron, Sr., Esq. Austin Torres, Esq. Hon. John Carro

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Long Island Hispanic Bar Association Gala Event

Long Island Hispanic Bar Association
The Long Island Hispanic Bar Association held their annual Gala Event this month.

Present among the Latino legal community was also the ambassador of El Salvador.

Dave Mejias, President of the LIHBA led the event which included short speeches and awards to Latino leaders in the community.

One of those award went to Judge Hector LaSalle, Suffolk County Supreme Court Judge for his efforts with new legal talent and as a Hispanic judicial leader.

Congrats!  It was a wonderful evening!

Thursday, October 25, 2012

70 Open Federal Judge Appointments Will Have Long-Term Latino Impact


When President Obama nominated Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court in 2009, the appointment made headlines because of her credentials, including as a federal District Court judge, and her Latino heritage. But equal attention should be paid to the push to fill more than 70 appointment-for-life federal court vacancies in four heavily Latino states.

Federal court judges make decisions that directly impact the lives of Latinos, said Thomas Saenz, president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, during an event in Washington on the 2012 election and the Latino workforce.

Some of the vacancies are in states where Latinos make up nearly a third of the population, such as Texas (38 percent) and Arizona (30 percent). Nevada's population is 27 percent Latino, and Colorado's is 20 percent.

Read more: http://www.nationaljournal.com/thenextamerica/workforce/70-open-federal-judge-appointments-will-have-long-term-latino-impact-20121004




Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Obama nominates black woman judge to D.C. federal court

First black woman nominated to D.C. federal court in three decades


President Obama has tapped U.S. Sentencing Commission member Ketanji Brown Jackson. The nomination is notable because, if confirmed, Jackson would become only the second African American woman to serve as a full judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, and would be the first to be robed in more than 30 years.

It’s a stunning demographic deficiency in a city where a quarter of the population — more than 150,000 — are black women.

Read more: washingtonpost.com



Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Obama's sends Judge Nelson Roman for a Federal Judgeship

President Obama has sent to the Senate the nomination of Judge Nelson Roman for a Federal judgeship.  Judge Nelson Roman worked his way up from a New York City police officer, to a prosecutor, to a judge, and is currently sitting as a judge in New York State Appellate Court

According to U.S. Senator Charles Schumer:
Judge Roman "has deep roots in the Puerto Rican community in New York and has served at all levels of law enforcement, starting as a police officer and working his way all the way up to the Appellate Division.  Justice Roman perfectly fulfills the criteria I use for judges- excellence, diversity and moderation.
-newyorklawjournal.com

According to Juan Cartagena, President of LatinoJustice PRLDEF:
Judge Nelson Roman's "appointment to the federal bench would further integrate a court in need of diversity... Its time to recognize that the Constitution has a place in the debate over stop and frisk. (referring to Judge Roman's ruling on a stop and risk case where evidence of a gun was suppressed due to an illegal search"
-latinojustice.org




Monday, October 22, 2012

President Obama Nominates Two to the United States District Courts


President Obama nominated Ketanji Brown Jackson and Judge Nelson Stephen Roman for District Court judgeships.

“I am pleased to nominate these distinguished individuals to serve on the United States District Court bench,” said President Obama.  “I am confident they will serve the American people with integrity and a steadfast commitment to justice.”

Ketanji Brown Jackson:  Nominee for the United States District Court for the District of Columbia

Ketanji Brown Jackson currently serves as Vice Chair and Commissioner of the United States Sentencing Commission, a position she has held since 2010.  Previously, Jackson worked at Morrison & Foerster LLP from 2007 to 2010 and served as an Assistant Federal Public Defender in the District of Columbia from 2005 to 2007.  From 2003 to 2005, she was an Assistant Special Counsel at the Sentencing Commission and, prior to that, spent four years working in private practice in both Boston and the District of Columbia.  From 1999 to 2000, she clerked for Associate Justice Stephen G. Breyer of the Supreme Court of the United States; from 1997 to 1998, she clerked for the Honorable Bruce M. Selya of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit; and from 1996 to 1997, she clerked for the Honorable Patti B. Saris of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.  Jackson received her J.D. cum laude in 1996 from Harvard Law School, where she was supervising editor of the Harvard Law Review.  She received her B.A. magna cum laude in 1992 from Harvard University.

Judge Nelson Stephen Román:  Nominee for the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York

Judge Nelson Stephen Román has been an Associate Justice of the First Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court since 2009.  Previously, he served as a Justice of the New York Supreme Court in Bronx County, where he handled civil matters from 2003 to 2009.  For four years, Judge Román was a judge on the New York City Civil Court, handling civil matter from 2001 to 2002 and housing cases from 1998 to 2000.  He clerked for the Honorable Jose A. Padilla, Jr. of the New York City Civil Court from 1995 to 1998.  From 1989 to 1995, Judge Román served as an Assistant District Attorney in both Brooklyn and Manhattan.  Prior to receiving his J.D. in 1989 from Brooklyn Law School, Judge Román worked as a police officer in New York City for seven years.  He received his B.A. from Fordham University in 1984.

Official press release here. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/09/20/president-obama-nominates-two-united-states-district-courts

Thursday, October 18, 2012

T&U right on your phone

The Torres and Urbaez website has a cell phone format.  YUP.

T&U  right on your phone.

T&U.  Yup.  There's an app for that!

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Start the new year fresh! Start your divorce now.


Start the new year fresh!

Start your divorce now.

Uncontested divorce with no children and no property

$660. (includes court fees)

Offer good till November 1st.


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Empieze el ano nuevo con una nueva vida.
Empieze su divorcio ya.

Divorcio de mutuo acuerdo sin hijos, ni sin propiedad

$660. (incluye gastos de la corte)

Oferta hasta el 1 de noviembre.


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Certain restrictions apply*:
This special is for divorces in which there are:
1. NO children
2. NO property of any kind - NONE- even if you are in agreement
3. BOTH parties will sign together at the office.

If you're situation does not satisfy all 3, then the price is higher.
Please call about your specific divorce needs for a quote.
The quote usually may be done over the phone.  For more complex cases a consultation is necessary.  The consultation fee is $50.

Restricciones*:
Este especial es para un divorcio en cual:
1. NO tienen hijos
2. NO tienen propiedad ninguna- aunque estén de acuerdo
3. Los DOS van a firmar juntos en nuestra oficina

Si su situación no satisfecha los 3 requisitos, entonces el precio será más.
Por favor llámenos de su divorcio para una cuota.
La cuota usualmente se puede dar por teléfono.  Para divorcios más complicados será  necesario una consulta en la oficina.  La consulta cuesta $50.


*Other restrictions may apply, including but not limited to: international marriages, out of state marriages, grounds must be irreconciliable differences.  Otras restricciones pueden ser, incluyendo pero no limitados a: matrimonios internacionales, matrimonios de otro estados, bases legales para el divorcio tiene que ser 'mutuo acuerdo'

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

T&U new Facebook page up and running!

Our Facebook page is now updated with a cover photo and a few posts and we are ready to start connecting on facebook!



Monday, October 15, 2012

Twitter T&U profile is complete!

Just updated the new cover photo on the new twitter page and a custom background image and everything! 

Take a look!  and Follow us!

https://twitter.com/torresandurbaez

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Trailblazers: Their Journey, Their Story

The 4 speakers of the 100 Hispanic Women of Westchester Latino Leadership Forum


The 100 Hispanic Women of Westchester held their annual Latino Leadership Forum: Trailblazers,Their Journey, Their Story at Doubletree  Hotel in Tarrytown, New York on Friday, October 12, 2012.

The panel of four speakers were moderated by El Diario La Prensa's Rosana Rosado were:
  • Paula Garces –Colombian American film and television actress, known for her appearance in films such as Clockstoppers and The Harold and Kumar Series, and on TV shows such as CSI: Miami, The Shield, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, The Sopranos, Oz and Warehouse 13.
  • Norma Mejia Boccobella - Co Owner of Natural Necessity, Freelance Writer at Sleepy Hollow / Tarrytown Patch, Talk Show Host at Telemundo
  • Maribel Cruz-Brown  - Engineer and Program Manager - Market Development & Customer Initiatives at New York Power Authority 
  • Jennese Torres aka "La Diva" Torres from Torres and Urbaez, PC - A “stiletto-wearing attorney” and entrepreneur who launched the website LaDivaLatina.com 


Thursday, October 11, 2012

100 Hispanic Women of Westchester Latino Leader Ship Forum


100 Hispanic Women of Westchester
Latina Leadership Forum
Trailblazers- Their Journey & Story

The Latina Leadership Forum is an annual event comprised of several educational forums designed to inspire and challenge women of all ages to maximize their strengths and achieve their leadership potential.


The panel of four speakers were moderated by El Diario La Prensa's Rosana Rosado were:
  • Paula Garces –Colombian American film and television actress, known for her appearance in films such as Clockstoppers and The Harold and Kumar Series, and on TV shows such as CSI: Miami, The Shield, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, The Sopranos, Oz and Warehouse 13.
  • Norma Mejia Boccobella - Co Owner of Natural Necessity, Freelance Writer at Sleepy Hollow / Tarrytown Patch, Talk Show Host at Telemundo
  • Maribel Cruz-Brown  - Engineer and Program Manager - Market Development & Customer Initiatives at New York Power Authority 
  • Jennese Torres aka "La Diva" Torres from Torres and Urbaez, PC - A “stiletto-wearing attorney” and entrepreneur who launched the website LaDivaLatina.com 



Wednesday, October 10, 2012

check out the new attorney's bios!

just set up the BIOs page.

it looks fantastic!

take a look!

Follow me!

Just set up all the social media- facebook, twitter and even google +

This is going to be BIG!

Welcome to our new website and blog!

Introducing our new website and blog and facebook and twitter too!

Great things are happening here at T&U!