The first Hispanic female President of the State Bar, Mary T. Torres, was sworn-in on January 4th by Supreme Court Chief Justice Patricio Serna.

At 42, Torres is the third female president, the third Hispanic president, and one of the three youngest presidents of the State Bar. "The true significance of my assuming this position," Torres says, "lies not in the achievement of one lawyer, but in recognizing the legacy of outstanding service and leadership that so many Hispanic and female attorneys and judges have rendered to our society, to the legal profession, and to the judiciary of New Mexico for well over 100 years."

Torres's primary goal is to improve and bring a greater emphasis on professionalism among the lawyers and judges in the state. She is concerned about the negative image that lawyers are often given in television and films.

By serving as co-chair of the state bar and Supreme Court's Commission on Professionalism, Torres will be able to work towards her goal. She feels that the majority of local attorneys and judges exhibit professional conduct, but that there is a small, visible minority giving lawyers a bad name.

"A great lawyer is a lawyer who is professional and ethical, and who treats clients, opposing counsel, and the courts with respect," she says.

These values were instilled in Torres when she was young. A Socorro native, Torres, along with her five brothers, learned from her parents honesty, integrity, professionalism, and adherence to the Golden Rule. She credits her commitment to professionalism in her personal and professional life to the teachings of her family. Remaining in Socorro, Torres spent six years teaching English and history at Socorro High School where she served as advisor and coach of the high school mock trial team. Working with the team inspired her to attend law school at the University of New Mexico, where she served as president of the Student Bar.

At UNM, Torres was also honored with the Faculty Award, the Dean's Award, and the Excellence in Advocacy Award.

Honors continued after graduation. Torres received the Outstanding Young Lawyer Award and the State Bar's Outstanding Contribution Award. She served as President of the Bar's young Lawyers Division, the bar's secretary-treasurer, and the bar's vice-president. In January, Torres and nine other lawyers went to South Africa as part of the People to People National Program, where they met with South African legal constituencies.

Since her 1992 graduation, Torres has practiced law in the areas of civil litigation and defending employers in civil rights matters. She has spent the past seven years with the Modrall Sperling law firm, whom she credits for support and guidance during both her law career and her pursuit of bar positions.

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