David

A.

Torres

CRIMINAL DEFENSE ACCOLADES

Torres is an AV Preeminent rated California criminal defense trial attorney, which is the highest rating any attorney can receive by both his peers and judges. Torres is a prolific trial lawyer who has practiced both state and federal criminal defense law for over thirty-five years who has tried well over 185 felony trials to verdict and has argued successfully before the California Supreme Court (Cowan vs. Superior Court, (1996) 14 Cal.4^th 370). His law firm has now assumed the name Torres | Torres-Stallings, A Law Corporation, since naming his daughter, Alekxia Torres-Stallings as his law partner in January 2020.

Torres is a designated and elected Fellow with the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, a graduate of the National Criminal Defense College, The Institute for Criminal Defense Advocacy, a lifetime member of both the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the California Attorneys for Criminal Justice and past President and co-founder of the Kern County Criminal Defense Section and the Kern County Veteran’s Defense Section and has been named Super Lawyer since 2012.

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

Apart from his dedication to his chosen area of criminal defense, Mr. Torres is also community oriented and a recognized leader in the community. Mr. Torres is past President of the Kern County Bar Association (2008) and in 2010 was awarded the KCBA Bench and Bar Award, the highest award given by the local bar association in recognition and appreciation for dedication and exemplary service to the legal profession. In 2013, Mr. Torres was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Merit Award from Gonzaga University, this award being one of the highest honors awarded to an alumnus who reflects the University’s commitment of “service to others.” In October 2022, Torres was awarded the law school’s Legal Service Award, in light of years of service to the community and military. Torres also serves on the Law School’s Board of Advisors. 

In 2012, Mr. Torres was elected by attorneys within the San Joaquin Valley to serve a term as Trustee for the State Bar of California and Chaired their Admissions and Education Committee (2012-2015). Torres served two 4 years terms as a member of the California State Bar Committee of Bar Examiners and in 2008 was appointed by California Governor Jerry Brown to serve on the Central Valley Judicial Selection Application Committee which assists the Governor in vetting judicial candidates from all counties between Kern to Sacramento. In 2015, the Governor appointed him to the Fair Board for the 15th Agricultural District where he still serves. In 2009, Torres was honored as Democrat of the Year by the Democratic Central Committee and the same year was honored as Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Businessman of the Year. Since 2015, Torres has been a member of the Bakersfield College Pre-Law Advisory Committee and is also involved with the CSUB Pre-Law program. In 2022, Torres | Torres Stallings was recognized by the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as the top business in the Central Valley. Torres is often called upon by local media to serve as a commentator on major local, state and national cases.

BACKGROUND

David A. Torres was born and raised in Porterville, California. He is one of eight children born to Antonio and Gloria Torres. As children, the Torres were migrant farm laborers harvesting fruits and vegetables throughout the San Joaquin Valley and during summers, would follow the cherry harvest from Stockton, California, to Oregon, Washington states, then return to the central valley in time to begin the grape harvest prior to school where oftentimes, picking either grapes or olives early in the morning before and after class was required of the family. Despite David’s father, Antonio having a second-grade education and his mother Gloria a sixth grade education, his parents nevertheless believed in the importance of education. In order for their children to attend Catholic School, the family was given a tuition break in exchange for their mother cleaning and cooking for the convent and rectory. Throughout his formative years, Mr. Torres was instilled a rigid work ethic through his mother and father that remains as fervent today in his law practice as it was as a child swiftly picking fruit in the hot California sun. Likewise, Mr. Torres instilled that work ethic in each of his 5 children, all of whom are college educated professionals in journalism, medical research, agricultural logistics, one a corporate lawyer in San Diego and his eldest, Alekxia, his law partner here in Bakersfield, respectively. Mr. Torres and his wife Angelica have been happily married for 40 years.

Mr. Torres is a proud 1983 graduate of Fresno State University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration. Torres earned a Minor in Military Studies from Gonzaga University in 1985, and earned his Doctorate in Jurisprudence from Gonzaga University, School of Law in 1986.

VETERAN STATUS

Mr. Torres, a proud veteran, has served in some capacity with the United States military for over 40 years. Mr. Torres’ family, who initially immigrated to this illegally, required all three of his son’s to serve in the military. Torres served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve as enlisted from 1979 – 1983, was later commissioned as a 2LT in the US Army Infantry through the Gonzaga ROTC Program, and completed both the US Army Airborne School and Infantry Officer Basic Courses and previously served as a Rifle Platoon Leader with the 40^th Infantry Division. In 2002, Torres received a direct commission into the United Stated Judge Advocate Generals Corps where he served with the 311^th Sustainment Command, 1^st LSO, and the 78^th LSO, and retiring in 2013 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. 

He returned to the California State Guard in 2016 where he currently holds the rank of full-bird Colonel and serves as Chief of Legal Services for the State of California. From 2016 to 2022, Governor Newsom appointed Torres to sit a term on the Military Appellate Panel Program. COL. Torres was recently recognized as a Distinguished Veteran by the Armed Forces Service Committee for his service to the veteran community and the Excellence in Military Service Award by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee.

As an officer, Torres, has earned numerous national awards for leaderships, readiness and distinguished service. He has earned the Meritorious Service Award (three Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (2 oak leaf clusters), Army Achievement, Outstanding Community Service, Parachutist Badge, Oversees Ribbon (8 device), US Army Chief of Staff Award for Excellence in Legal Assistance, Veteran of the Year (16^th AD).

Torres continues to serve and does what he can in his capacity to assist veterans.