1/19/2012 10:14:43 AM
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights has named St. Paul attorney Gregory Torrence as Assistant Commissioner. Mr. Torrence previously served as Assistant Director of the Minnesota Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility in St. Paul, and as a Public Defender in Hennepin County.
In his new role at the Department of Human Rights, Mr. Torrence will supervise the department's Investigations Unit. He will also work closely with Commissioner Kevin Lindsey on a wide range of public policy issues, including disparities in education, health care, business development, employment and criminal justice.
In welcoming Mr. Torrence to the Department of Human Rights, Commissioner Lindsey noted that his strong background in complaint investigations made him an ideal candidate to help the department manage its caseload, while completing investigations in a timely manner. His extensive experience in directing complaint investigations, along with his tenure as a public defender in Minnesota and California, and his experience in the California legislature, make him an excellent addition to the Department of Human Rights, Lindsey said.
As Assistant Director of the Minnesota Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility, Mr. Torrence was in charge of investigating and prosecuting complaints of unprofessional conduct against Minnesota lawyers. Previously, he had defended indigent clients as Assistant Public Defender in Hennepin County from 2004-2006, and before that, as Deputy Public Defender in California's San Diego County.
He was also involved with complaint investigations as an analyst for the California Department of Social Services, and worked on proposed legislation as an aid for Sen. Barbara Lee in the California Legislature during the 1990s.
Mr. Torrence received a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Managerial Economics degree at the University of California at Davis, and his Doctor of Jurisprudence at the University of Oregon School of Law. He lives in St. Paul with his partner, Nate Clark.
###
For more information contact Jeff Holman, 651-539-1090, jeff.holman@state.mn.us
