Board & Staff Funding Categories Grants Press Legal Help Links Contact Joseph J. Torres Winston & Strawn Chicago +1 (312) 558-7334 jtorres@winston.com Joseph Torres is a partner in the Chicago labor and employment relations practice group of Winston & Strawn. Mr. Torres concentrates his practice in labor, employment, and employee benefits litigation and has represented clients before the state and federal trial and appellate courts, as well as administrative agencies such as the NLRB, the EEOC, the Department of Labor, and OSHA in a wide variety of discrimination, whistleblower retaliation, and other employment claims arising under state and federal law. Mr. Torres also advises clients on issues regarding collective bargaining relationships and labor disputes, including formulation of bargaining strategies, negotiation of labor contracts, contract administration, maintenance of operations during labor disputes, and responses to “in-plant” and “corporate” campaigns. Mr. Torres also represents clients in the negotiation and preparation of employment and related agreements, both for individuals and in connection with corporate acquisitions and reductions-in-force, and has extensive experience in the areas of covenants not to compete, and the protection of trade secrets and other proprietary information. In addition, Mr. Torres advises clients on the establishment and maintenance of employment policies, wage payment and compensation issues, and the development and implementation of overall human resources strategies. Mr. Torres also has a broad range of experience representing clients in matters arising under ERISA. He has defended clients in claims for vested retiree benefits, alleged wrongful denial of or interference with employee benefits, and various claims for breach of fiduciary duty. He has also represented clients in complex withdrawal liability matters involving multiemployer pension plans. Mr. Torres has considerable experience in the analysis and interpretation of various ERISA-governed plans. He has defended clients in audits involving union-sponsored health and welfare plans, and also has advised clients contemplating the modification or termination of employee benefits plans. Activities: Mr. Torres is co-chair of the firm’s Diversity Committee and a member of its Hiring Committee, and is an associate editor for BNA’s Developing Labor Law treatise. He is active in the American Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Section and currently serves as the management program chairman for the ABA Developing Labor Law Committee. Legal Services: Appellate Advocacy Discrimination, Harassment, Retaliation, Wrongful Termination Litigation Employment Class Action Litigation Employment Law Advice, Counseling, and Training ERISA Litigation International Labor and Employee Relations Traditional Labor Law Unfair Competition, Restrictive Covenants, and Trade Secrets Wage and Hour Compliance and Litigation Whistleblower Matters Law School: University of Illinois JD, 1990 Bar Admissions: Illinois Court Admissions: Central District of Illinois Northern District of Illinois U.S. Supreme Court USCA- 3rd Circuit USCA- 6th Circuit USCA- 7th Circuit