Law library to be dedicated to late Public Defender Ivelisse Torres

TRENTON - The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender will dedicate its headquarters law library to the memory of the late Public Defender Ivelisse Torres on Thursday, November 15. Ms. Torres, who died one year ago of cancer while serving as the first career public defender to head the agency, will be honored during ceremonies beginning at 4 p.m.

A strident advocate for equal representation in court, with an especially keen interest in juvenile justice issues, Ms. Torres was hailed upon her death as a loyal friend and esteemed legal colleague. Many of her contemporaries in the court system will be on hand for the dedication. Speakers include current Acting New Jersey Public Defender Peter Garcia, former Public Advocate/Public Defender Stanley Van Ness and representatives of the New Jersey Hispanic Bar Association and Leadership New Jersey, both of which are organizations Ms. Torres took an active role in.

"Ivy had a very sharp legal mind, and she always prepared meticulously when getting ready to make an argument, so the dedication of the library is an especially fitting tribute to her," said First Assistant Public Defender Joel Harris, a close friend of Ms. Torres. "Her life served as an inspiration to many of us. I believe her memory, preserved through this library dedication, will continue to inspire future generations of public defenders."

The event is scheduled to run from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Hughes Justice Complex, 25 Market Street, Trenton. For more information, please contact Jeff Beach at (609) 777-1862.