Raúl Torrez is the 32nd Attorney General of New Mexico, sworn in on January 1st, 2023. Before his election, he served as the elected District Attorney for the Albuquerque Metro Area, where he handled more than 20,000 criminal referrals yearly. As a state and federal prosecutor, Raúl has worked at every level of the criminal justice system, including serving as a frontline violent crimes prosecutor in a small rural community and providing strategic counsel as a senior advisor in President Obama’s Department of Justice.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- [1:23] Raúl Torrez shares stories from his childhood growing up around courtrooms and undercover cops
- [5:07] How Raúl represents the Latino community in New Mexico
- [11:17] Raúl’s humble beginnings in law after graduating from Harvard
- [21:47] Protecting children in New Mexico against social media dangers
- [25:14] Advice for parents to limit their children’s social media usage
- [32:13] The anti-immigrant rhetoric among politicians
- [40:38] Raúl responds to the razor wire security at the border of Texas and New Mexico
- [43:56] How to lead a fulfilling life and career in law
In this episode…
More than 50% of New Mexico’s population is Latino, yet this community faces blatant discrimination in the face of the immigration debate. Politicians are spewing anti-immigrant rhetoric and misinformation, and the State National Guard even installed razor wire at the border between Texas and New Mexico, further dividing communities. What can you learn from New Mexico’s Attorney General, who has fought to bring justice to disparaged races?
Experienced prosecutor and attorney general Raúl Torrez maintains that even when occupying positions of power, Latinos and people of color aren’t respected. One prime example is when Raúl was pulled over in a farm truck shortly after being accepted into Harvard. He was ordered to step out of the vehicle and lay face down on the pavement while the officers drew their guns. This experience led Raúl to dedicate his career to bridging the gap between Latinos and the legal system. He focuses on dismantling harmful rhetoric about Latino immigrants, advocating for a secure border that provides immigrants with opportunities to build new lives. When advocating for these communities, Raúl recommends staying true to your purpose to catalyze meaningful change.
In this episode of The Lawtino™, John Gomez welcomes New Mexico’s Attorney General Raúl Torrez to discuss his efforts to advocate for the Latino community. Raúl shares how he protects children against social media exploitation, his humble beginnings in law, and his thoughts on the razor wire security between New Mexico and Texas.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- John Gomez on LinkedIn
- Gomez Trial Attorneys: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook
- Raúl Torrez: Website | Bio
- New Mexico Department of Justice
Quotable Moments:
- “I wouldn’t trade anything that I have done in my career for any of that, and I just get a real sense of satisfaction from feeling like I have in some way done something to help people in my community who desperately need it.”
- “If they saw what I saw each and every day, they would probably be doing the same thing.”
- “I think it’s incredibly important for people like me who have had a glimpse of that kind of experience with law enforcement, to sit in this role.”
- “The measure of what you have accomplished is not found in what you have; it’s measured by what you’ve done.”
- “I think there is a yearning in this country for serious people who just want to make things work and have hard conversations.”
Action Steps:
- Stay informed about your children’s online activities to ensure their safety: Knowing what apps and communication your child engages with online can prevent them from becoming victims of cyber predators.
- Consider public service work to make a difference in your community: Public service roles can provide more immediate and impactful change within local communities, addressing challenges head-on.
- Reflect on why you chose the legal profession and stay true to it: Regular reflection encourages alignment with one’s original motivations for entering law, promoting a career anchored in passion rather than profit.
- Engage in pro bono work to provide legal help to those who need it most: Offering legal services without charge supports those who might otherwise have no access to justice, directly contributing to societal well-being.
- Involve yourself in conversations that bridge the divide between various community needs: Participating in discussions that seek compromise and understanding between various community groups can lead to more inclusive and effective policies.
Sponsor for this episode…
This episode is brought to you by Gomez Trial Attorneys, a personal injury law firm based in San Diego.
Award-winning attorney John Gomez developed a nationally recognized legal team that goes above and beyond for injured clients.
With numerous designations, distinctions, and top-notch resources, we have what it takes to fight and win against major corporations.
For a free case evaluation, visit https://www.thegomezfirm.com/contact/.