Jackson Lewis Attorney Appointed Chair of HNBA Labor & Employment Section

MIAMI, FL (November 10, 2009) – Jackson Lewis LLP, one of the country’s largest and fastest growing workplace law firms, announced that Pedro J. Torres-Díaz, Partner in the firm’s Miami office, has been named Chairperson of the Hispanic National Bar Association’s (HNBA’s) Labor & Employment Law Section. 

The firm recently began a relationship as Pro Bono Counsel for labor and employment matters to the HNBA, whose mission is to serve as the national voice for the concerns and opinions of Hispanics in the legal profession.

“I could not be more pleased to be selected as the chairperson of the Labor & Employment Section,” says Mr. Torres-Díaz.  “With major changes to existing workplace legislation in the works, now is an extremely important time to focus on this particular field.  I hope to assist in furthering the Association’s goal to provide a forum for members to study, report and share knowledge regarding developments in workplace law.”

“Pedro is one of our many talented and successful partners, and we are extremely proud of his appointment,” says Gregory T. Alvarez, Chair of the firm’s Hispanic American Affinity Group and longtime member of the Association.  “The HNBA is an esteemed national organization that continually acts as a force for positive change within the legal profession.  Pedro’s appointment demonstrates his past efforts on behalf of the HNBA and his personal commitment to the organization.” 

Vincent A. Cino, member of Jackson Lewis’s Management Committee and the firm’s National Director of Litigation, adds “Pedro’s appointment highlight’s the firm’s long-standing commitment to the organization, including through financial support and the participation of our attorneys, and will enhance our ability to further contribute to the HNBA’s mission by supporting the committee and the HNBA through our pro bono work.”

Mr. Torres-Díaz, who has been active in the Association for four years, was appointed by HNBA President Román Hernández following this year’s annual convention and will serve as Section Chairperson for a minimum of one year.  The goals of the recently created Labor & Employment Section are: to further the development and improvement of labor and employment law; educate HNBA members about the current relevant issues and professional responsibilities associated with them; and help members serve their clients competently, efficiently and professionally.  Other Jackson Lewis attorneys serve on the committee with Mr. Torres-Díaz and will assist him in his efforts.

At Jackson Lewis, Mr. Torres-Díaz’s practice concentrates on employment discrimination and wage and hour matters exclusively on behalf of employers, both in Florida and Puerto Rico. 

Before joining Jackson Lewis, Mr. Torres-Díaz was a Partner in the Labor and Employment Law Department of a leading law firm in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he resided and practiced law for 8 years. Throughout his practice in Puerto Rico, Mr. Torres-Díaz was a frequent and featured speaker on many subjects in the Labor and Employment Law field, in seminars for clients and for organizations such as the Society for Human Resources Management and the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce.  Since arriving in Miami, Mr. Torres-Díaz has continued to participate as speaker on many topics related to workplace law, both for clients and other organizations in Florida and elsewhere. 

Mr. Torres-Díaz is a member of the Puerto Rico Bar Association; the Florida Bar; the Puerto Rican Bar Association of Florida; the Hispanic National Bar Association; the American Bar Association, Employment Law, Litigation, and International Law section; the Federal Bar Association; and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce.

He graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a B.A. in Business Administration and minors in French and Economics, and obtained his J.D. magna cum laude from the University of Puerto Rico School of Law. Mr. Torres-Díaz can be reached by calling (305) 577-7617 or emailing Torres-DiazP@jacksonlewis.com.

About Jackson Lewis Founded in 1958, Jackson Lewis is dedicated to representing management exclusively in workplace law with 600 attorneys practicing in 42 cities nationwide.  Jackson Lewis has a wide-range of specialized practice areas, including:  Affirmative Action and OFCCP Diversity Planning; Disability, Leave and Health Management; Employee Benefits, including Complex ERISA Litigation, Workplace Privacy and Executive Compensation; Global Immigration; Labor, including Preventive Practices; Litigation, including Class Actions, Complex Litigation and e-Discovery; Trade Secrets, Non-Competes and Workplace Technology; Wage and Hour Compliance; and Workplace Safety Compliance.  In addition, Jackson Lewis provides advice nationally in other workplace law areas, including:  Reductions in Force, WARN Act; Corporate Governance and Internal Investigations; Drug Testing and Substance Abuse Management; International Issues; Management Education, including e-Based Training; Alternative Dispute Resolution; Public Sector Issues; Government Relations; Corporate Diversity Counseling and College and University Employment Law and Compliance Issues. 

Additional information about Jackson Lewis can be found at www.jacksonlewis.com.

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For more information, please contact: Lara Hamm, Jackson Lewis T: (212) 545-4031, E: hamml@jacksonlewis.com

Kara Dullea, Details PR T: (864) 363-4195, E: kara@detailsdm.com