Representing Employees And Labor Unions Exclusively For Over 50 Years

Joseph C. Torres

Joseph C. Torres

Current Employment

  • Partner

Practice Areas

  • Labor Law
  • Workers' Compensation

Biography

Joe exclusively represents labor unions, individual employees, and Taft Hartley pension and welfare funds. Since joining The Karmel Law Firm, Joe has successfully represented labor unions and their members in grievance arbitrations, NLRB hearings, and representation elections. Additionally, Joe has extensive experience advising unions during organizing campaigns and on internal union matters.

Joe also represents individual employees in employment discrimination and wage and hour claims. Specifically, Joe has represented employees in disputes involving Title VII, the Fair Labor Standard Act, Americans with Disability Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Family Medical Leave Act, Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, and Section 1981 Civil Rights claims.

Before joining the Karmel Law Firm, Joe worked as an intern for Senator Richard Durbin in the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. While at the University of Illinois College of Law, Joe developed his advocacy skills as a member of the University of Illinois College of Law Trial Team and a graduate of the Mirza Trial Academy. Additionally, he served as a member of the Illinois Federal Civil Rights Clinic where he represented an indigent prisoner in a jury trial in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois

Prior to law school, Joe earned a scholarship to play football at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Joe received his B.A. in Philosophy and Political Science while also serving as Student Body President.

Education

  • University of Illinois College of Law, Champaign, Illinois
    • J.D.
    • Honors: cum laude
    • Honors: Member of the University of Illinois College of Law Trial Team
    • Honors: Graduate of the Mirza Trial Academy
  • University of St. Francis, Fort Wayne, Indiana
    • B.A. - 13/1220
    • Honors: magna cum laude
    • Honors: Student Body President
    • Major: Political Science & Philosophy

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois, 2017

Professional Associations

  • American Bar Association
  • Chicago Bar Association

Past Positions​

  • Senator Richard Durbin in the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, Intern
  • Member of the Illinois Federal Civil Rights Clinic