Latinas Con Vision

A special discussion and network reception for professional women, honoring the achievements of latinas in our community.  

Come learn from their inspiring stories, including out very own, Jennese Torres, network with other area professionals, and learn about career opportunities at New York Life.

Wednesday, May 29, at 5:30pm

Westchester Ballroom 

at DoubleTree Hotel Tarrytown

455 South Broadway, Tarrytown, NY

Hors d'oeuvres will be served.

RSVP to Monica Martinez-Hess

914-373-1636 

monica_martinez@newyorklife.com

Seating is limited!  Call to reserve your spot today!

Our Very Own TORRES on the PRBA's Board

Congrats to our Founding Partner, Torres, for becoming part of the PRBA's Executive Board!

The PRBA, at the New York City Civil Court at 111 Centre Street, elected the Puerto Rican Bar Association's Officers and Directors for the 2013-2014 term. Together with current Board Members --  Catherine Torres, Neysa Alsina, Nilda Rivera, Frank Torres and Carmen Torrent -- will continue this past Board’s devotion to the PRBA and its mission through our hard work and commitment to you.

As highlighted by new President-Elect, Elba Galvan, she will work closely with our new President, Javier Vargas, in following in the steps of those who came before by acknowledging the challenges ahead  and accepting responsibility to reach out to more of our Latino colleagues throughout the state with a clear agenda for growth. The PRBA will work closer with other minority bar associations, will continue to work to obtain a permanent home for the PRBA and its members and our scholarship endowment. In addition, there will be new efforts to reach out to our youth by making a stronger commitment to current and future law students.

Please join me in congratulating them and to ensure the PRBA’s bright future!

Elena Goldberg Velazquez, Esq.

PRBA President 2012-2013

2013-2014 Election Results

President Elect

Elba Galvan, Esq.

Vice President

Carmen Pacheco, Esq.

Treasurer

Tara Zurheide, Esq.

Recording Secretary

Alexander Badillo, Esq.

Corresponding Secretary

Jennese Torres, Esq.

Board of Directors

Elena Goldberg Velazquez, Esq. (3 Year Term)

Carlos Perez-Hall, Esq. (3 Year Term)

Robinson Iglesias, Esq. (3 Year Term)

Obama nominates VERNON BRODERICK for the federal bench - the first Dominican!

President Obama nominated Vernon S. Broderick to serve on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.“I am proud to nominate this outstanding candidate to serve on the United States District Court bench,” said President Obama.  “Vernon Broderick has a long and distinguished record of service, and I am confident he will serve on the federal bench with distinction.”

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer recommended Vernon Broderick to President Obama to serve on the bench of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Schumer laid out several reasons that Mr. Broderick would be an excellent fit for the job. Schumer said that Broderick’s excellent legal background and professional experience, strong ties to New York, intellect and demonstrated leadership skills make him an excellent choice for the District Court for the Southern District of New York.  Broderick would be the first judge of Dominican heritage on the federal bench in New York State. Mr. Broderick’s was born in New York City.  

Broderick's mother is from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico and his father is from Jamaica.

“Throughout his career Vernon has shown a commitment to judicial fairness and to protecting the rights of all people,” said Juan Cartagena, President and General Counsel, LatinoJustice PRLDEF. “During his service on the board of LJP, Vernon has provided valuable leadership and commitment to the community and to our mission. I agree with the president that he will be a great addition to the bench.”

Vernon S. Broderick has been a partner at the law firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in New York City since 2005, having joined the firm as Counsel in 2002.  He concentrates his practice on white collar criminal cases, regulatory investigations, and business litigation.  In 2011, Broderick was appointed to the New York State Commission on Public Integrity by Governor Andrew Cuomo and in 2003 he was appointed to the Commission to Combat Police Corruption by Mayor Michael Bloomberg.  Broderick previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York from 1994 to 2002 and was Chief of the Violent Gangs Unit from 1999 to 2002.  He began his legal career as an associate at Weil Gotshal & Manges from 1988 to 1994.  Broderick received his J.D. in 1988 from Harvard Law School and his B.A. in 1985 from Yale University.  He serves on the board of the Puerto Rican Legal Defense Fund, now know n as Latino Justice.

Senate Confirms Judge Analisa Torres for Federal Bench

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.

“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.