Ralph G. Torres

• Publication year: 2002
• Pages: 25

31 Colo.Law. 25 Colorado Lawyer 2002.

2002, February, Pg. 25. Ralph G. Torres

Vol. 31, No. 1, Pg. 25

The Colorado Lawyer
February 2002
Vol. 31, No. 2 [Page 25]

Features
Profiles of Success
Ralph G. Torres
by Larry Bohning

Editor's Note

The Colorado Lawyer publishes profiles of practicing lawyers on a quarterly basis. The CBA Profiles Committee chooses Colorado Bar Association members who are nominated as outstanding lawyers by their peers. With these profiles, the CBA hopes to: promote the image of lawyers by emphasizing qualities that should be emulated; show the benefits of public service to both the lawyer who serves and the community; emphasize professionalism; provide role models for new lawyers; manifest ways of becoming successful and respected; and reward deserving lawyers for their contributions to the profession. Standards and procedures for these profiles differ from those established for the annual July issue featuring outstanding lawyers in Colorado history These profiles of lawyers are an opportunity to highlight the qualities that are important for effective lawyering in today's legal practice. We welcome feedback at any time Please send your suggestions, comments, or questions about this ongoing feature to: Arlene Abady, Managing Editor, 1900 Grant St., Suite 900, Denver, CO 80203; (303) 824-5325; fax: (303) 830-3990; e-mail: aabady@cobar.org.

Denver attorney Ralph G. Torres traces his American roots back to a time before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. His ancestors were with Spanish explorer Juan de Oñate in 1598, when Oñate led a small group of explorers through Mexico into what is now New Mexico. Torres's ancestors and others of the Oñate party settled in southern New Mexico. This article profiles Ralph G. Torres, one of Colorado's best known employment law attorneys and a person who has dedicated countless hours of service to make other people's lives better.

Ralph G. Torres

The Early Years

Ralph was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on May 11, 1939. While growing up, Ralph was surrounded by loving family members and friends. His parents, Raymond and Annie, divorced when he was very young, and he and his mother moved in with "Grandpa Pete." Grandpa Pete, a major influence in Ralph's life, took him everywhere, including to the local courthouse to watch his grandpa's favorite attorneys in action. Las Cruces was a desert town of about 15,000 people, and Grandpa Pete seemed to know almost all of them. Politicians, including U.S. Senator Dennis Chavez, would stop by to see Grandpa Pete and ask for his advice and support. Grandpa Pete worked for the El Paso Electric Co. and the City of Las Cruces. He told Ralph he should be a lawyer when he grew up.

Ralph Torres attributes much of his success in life to a trilogy of women. First was his mother, who worked hard to support the family. She worked in a laundry, did janitorial work, and served as a teacher's aide. She always stressed to Ralph the importance of education as the key to getting ahead in life. Then there was Sister Herman Joseph, his first grade teacher who made learning fun. And finally, Maria Guiterrez Spencer, his high school Spanish teacher, was a taskmaster who encouraged hard work and taught her students to excel. Ralph still quotes her words in both Spanish and English.

Neighbors also were an important part of Ralph's life while he was growing up, and many are still his good friends. His mother and grandfather (Grandpa Pete) pointed out Hispanic role models in their neighborhood who did well because they were educated. Among those were Daniel Sosa, an attorney, then district attorney, and later a New Mexico Supreme Court justice, and Jake Aragon, President of the First National Bank in Las Cruces.

Ralph grew up in a bilingual environment, which has served him well. His family spoke English and Spanish at home, often switching between the two in the middle of a sentence. Ralph's mother loved to listen to Frank Sinatra and big band music, while Aunt Eliza Pacheco would frequently take him to Spanish-language movies. His great-grandmother, Carmen Bernal, who lived to the age of 113, only spoke to him in Spanish. Because of his family, Ralph grew up completely bilingual and with a profound appreciation of both cultures.

During his school years, Ralph developed a love of music Starting in the eighth grade, he played tenor saxophone and was "first chair" throughout high school. During high school, he and three friends formed a rock and roll band called "The Saints." He won a music scholarship to Colorado State Teacher's College...