Tina Torres - San Antonio News

JUDICIAL QUESTIONNAIRE/2010Name: Tina TorresDate of birth: April 30, 1967Do you live in Bexar County? YesPosition you are seeking: Judge, 288 th District CourtDescribe your legal education: I attended St. Mary’s Law School and obtained my J.D.in May 1996.Describe your civic activities and community involvement: I have been activelyinvolved in hands­on civic and community affairs for many years. Currently, I am anadvisory board member of the Bexar County Dispute Resolution Center, an advisoryboard member of the San Antonio Youth Summit, a board member of Inman ChristianCenter, a board member of the St. Mary’s Hispanic Law Alumni Association, a boardmember of Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater San Antonio, and vicepresidentof the Gold Canyon Homeowners Association. I am also a past president andpast board member of the Mexican­American Bar Association of San Antonio (MABA­SA) and a past vice chair of the Hispanic Issues Section of the State Bar of Texas. Aspart of my involvement in MABA­SA, I have coordinated MABA­SA’s Christmasgivingproject with Urban Connection for the past three (3) years. I am a graduate ofChild Advocates of San Antonio (C.A.S.A.) training as well as a past volunteer andserved on the board of Healthy Families San Antonio (promoting healthy parenting skillsfor at­risk families) for many years. Though I do much pro bono work through my ownpractice, I am a participant in the San Antonio Bar Association’s Community JusticeClinic every year. I am also a member of a number of legal organizations, including theSan Antonio Bar Association, the Mexican­American Bar Association, and the SanAntonio Trial Lawyers Association.Please list noteworthy professional or personal accomplishments: I attended the YaleWomen’s Campaign School in the Summer of 2008 (which I consider a personalaccomplishment), was honored with St. Mary’s Hispanic Law Students AssociationLatina in Law of the Year Award in April 2009, and recognized as one of San Antonio’sbest family lawyers by Scene in S.A. in July 2009. In December 2009, I received the RedDress Society Public Servant Angel Award for my commitment to community service inour beautiful City, and I’ve also received a number of Presidential Citations from the1

Mexican­American Bar Association of San Antonio for my commitment and ongoingefforts with the organization.Please list the federal or state courts where you are admitted to practice: I amadmitted to practice in the Western District of Texas and in all State courts.Describe your professional career and list the types of law you practice or havepracticed in the past. Where are you employed currently? Is your legal practice afull­time job? If you are currently a judge, what type of cases do you typicallypreside over in your court? I’ll never forget my first day after passing the bar. Myfather handed me about 15 files and said – “Congratulations. These are your first cases.Now, get to work.” Neither will I ever forget the first time my father told me, “Whydon’t you go ahead and try this case?” I was freshly out of law school and thrown intothe courtroom defending a client from a claim of intentional infliction of emotionaldistress (coupled with allegations of sexual harassment). The judge kept skipping pastme and forgetting to allow me to question the witnesses, forcing me to interrupt him andrequest that I get my turn. Needless to say, this first experience was truly a humblingone.Though my first case had to do with an employer/employee relationship, my practiceinitially, primarily centered around consumer and commercial law. Along with theconsumer/commercial law that I feel is my foundation, I have practiced in many otherareas throughout my career, including debt collection practices, construction litigation,real estate litigation, simple wills and estates, small business defense, employment law,family law, and civil appellate law.I currently practice with my brother, Paul Torres, at the Torres Law Firm, P.C., 110Broadway, Suite 370, San Antonio, Texas 78205, where I’ve practiced since I graduatedfrom law school. (Prior to being the Torres Law Firm, the firm was the Law Office ofPeter Torres, Jr., P.C.). I work full­time.Are you certified as a specialist by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in anyarea of the law? No.How many times did you take the Texas bar exam? Have you ever failed bar examsin any state? I took the bar exam once. I have never taken a bar exam in another State.How many cases have you tried to verdict? I have tried more than 10 cases (jury andnon­jury) to verdict. I have also handled at least 7 appeals.2

Have you ever been investigated by a State Bar grievance committee or by the StateCommission on Judicial Conduct? Have you ever been disciplined or reprimandedfor your conduct as a lawyer or judge? If the answer is yes, please describe.I have never been disciplined or reprimanded for my conduct as a lawyer.I have, however, had a handful of grievances filed against me by disgruntled clients. Ihad to respond to at least one of those grievances, but it was summarily dismissed, and Iunderstand that that grievance shows up as an “inquiry.” Any other grievances wereimmediately dismissed without my having to respond and also show as inquiries.Have you ever been arrested or convicted of a crime other than minor trafficviolations? If the answer is yes, please explain. Never.Please discuss your view of proper judicial temperament.A judge should be responsive, respectful, and reliable. A judge should also have goodjudgment, common sense, keen intellect, humility, and common courtesy.If you are seeking election or re­election to a criminal court, discuss your view ofplea bargains and when they should and should not be accepted.N/A.Tell us about any plans you have to improve the administration of the court or makeit more efficient.Because there are so many family law cases on the civil docket, I think that judges shouldrely on the alternative dispute resolution process more (in the beginning of these casesrather than in the end). I also think that when there are family law cases that arerepeatedly coming back into the system, that a judge should be assigned to that particularcase so that the judge is well aware of the history and needs of that particular matter.Lastly, there are more and more litigants showing to court attempting to representthemselves pro se. As such, it may be a good idea to have a pro se docket separate fromthe general docket so that the pro se litigants can be served accordingly, many of whomneed additional time from the court since they are not aware of how to navigate the legalsystem on their own.Have you or your spouse ever filed for bankruptcy or has a tax lien ever been placedon you or your spouse? No – not applicable.3

Why are you seeking this office?Public service has been a life­long calling for me. Both of my parents were publicservants at one time or another in their lives, and they each promoted in me a great senseof civic duty. I love the law, and I love people, and my becoming judge will be a way forme to give back even more than I’ve been able to give back as an attorney in privatepractice.Why did you decide to be a candidate in whichever political party you chose?I am a life­long Democrat.Are you uncomfortable accepting campaign contributions from lawyers who mightappear in your court?I am not necessarily uncomfortable; however, accepting campaign contributions fromlawyers who might appear in my court – especially if they are high dollar contributions –could create an appearance of impropriety (favoritism). That is why I have notaggressively solicited funds from attorneys and have relied on smaller donations to fundmy campaign.Why are you the best candidate for the position you are seeking?I am the best candidate for the position that I am seeking because I have a more diverse,more contemporary experience in the courtroom than my opponent. I also have a muchmore practical experience in that I have represented ordinary citizens pertaining to everyday issues throughout my entire career. I am an extremely hard worker who understandsthe importance of accountability and is ready and willing to serve with enthusiasm,common sense, and conscientiousness..4