A few years after starting his job at NYU, he became
the shop steward in his department. His business agent with Local 810, based in
Long Island City, N.Y., was among the first to notice Torres’ potential, so he
appointed Torres chief steward where he would assist in grievance processing
and collective bargaining.
“When I first met him, he stood out because he
seemed very intelligent. I knew he’d make a good head steward,” said John
Mascali, Local 810 business agent. “As head steward, Mark did an incredible
job.”
As he continued to work, Torres pursued a higher
education and in 2003, he received a bachelor’s degree, with honors, from NYU.
He then proceeded to law school where he earned his law degree from Fordham Law
School in 2008. Torres earned both of these degrees while working full time,
serving as a shop steward and raising a family.
Shortly after graduating with his law degree, Torres
left his job at NYU to work at Proskauer Rose LLP where he practiced in that
firm’s renowned employee benefits department. Then in 2009, he was offered the
position of General Counsel at Local 810 where he represents the local on all
labor matters and represents the local’s three employee benefit funds.
Torres has a tireless work ethic and is dedicated to
the labor movement. As a former member of the union he now serves as counsel,
Torres relies heavily on his personal life experience to represent the many
members of Local 810.
“Without a doubt, I owe all of my success to my
affiliation with the Teamsters which gave me the job security to allow me to
pursue a higher education and become what I am today. I particularly with the
thank Louis Smith and Michael Smith, along with the rest of Local 810, for
their foresight, tutelage and leadership,” Torres said. “Most of all, I am
eternally greateful that they have put their undying trust in me to represent
thousands of members in the position I have always wanted.”
Torres’ story is a fine example of being part of the
Teamster family.
“He’s really an asset. Our local is lucky to have
him. All Teamsters are lucky to have him on their side,” Mascali said.
“I am an attorney in practice and title, but at
heart I am a Teamster with a law degree and that’s something that I will always
be.”
