NACDL - National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Life Member Directory
Life members are attorneys who have made an extraordinary commitment to support the work of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. By supporting NACDL at the highest dues level, they are accorded a lifetime membership as long as they continue to meet the standards for NACDL membership. In addition, they are listed in this special expanded life member directory, including bio and photograph, and receive a special award in recognition of their support for NACDL’s work.
2005 - Justice for All award by the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan2005 - Defender of Justice Award by the National Lawyers Guild 2006 - Gilman Award by the Federal Bar Association2008 - Arab American Professional of the Year by the Arab American Chamber of Commerce American Board of Criminal Lawyers; American College of Trial Lawyers; Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan; American Bar Association; Federal Bar Association.
Education
Undergraduate: Wayne State University, Bachelor of Science, 1969
Law School: MSU - Detroit College of Law, Juris Doctor, 1974
Undergraduate: University of California - Los Angeles, Philosophy (BA), 1997
Graduate: Willamette University Management School, Business (MBA), 2001
Law School: Willamette University College of Law, Law (JD), 2001
Bar Information
All Oregon state courts, the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States of America
Member, Board of Directors, NACDL (2009-2012)Member, Board of Directors, Tennessee Assn. of Criminal Defense Lawyers, (2005-Present) Ethics Chairman (2004-2005)Member, ABA Criminal Justice Section; Vice-Chair, Defense Function Committee, ABA Family Law Section, ABA Solo Practitioner SectionFormer Clerk to the Honorable Gary R. Wade, Tennessee Court of Criminal AppealsSustaining member, Tennessee Assn. of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Past President, Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan (2002)Founder, First Chair, Michigan Innocence ProjectLawyer of the Year, "Michigan Lawyers Weekly" (2002)Author, "Federal "Habeas Corpus" Law and Practice," "MI Bar Journ."Michigan Appellate Defender Office (1973-2002)Adjunct Prof.,TM Cooley Law School (1985-2002)
President of Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense LawyersBoard of Directors, NACDL
Robert S. Toale is an attorney in private practice in Gretna, LA. He received his undergraduate degree in 1975 from Tulane University and his juris doctor in 1982 from Loyola University New Orleans.
Robert has been defending individuals accused of criminal offenses since he graduated from law school. He has worked as a public defender in juvenile court and district court and as a private practitioner. Since beginning his legal career, Robert has sat first chair in over one hundred jury trials.
Robert has also worked tirelessly to represent the interests of defendants facing capital offenses. He is certified by the Louisiana Public Defender Board as lead counsel in Louisiana death-eligible cases. Over his career, Robert has represented approximately twenty clients in state and federal court accused of capital crimes.
Robert was the 2014 President of the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys. He is a graduate of the Trial Lawyers College, the National Criminal Defense College, and the National Institute for Trial Advocacy. He is a member of the New Orleans Bar Association, the Jefferson Bar Association, the Louisiana Association for Justice, the Federal Bar Association, the Alliance for Good Government, the American Civil Liberties Union, and a member of the indigent defense committee of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. He has earned a perfect 10/10 rating on lawyer directory Avvo and was recently named as a Louisiana Super Lawyer for 2014.
Education
Undergraduate: Tulane University, Bachelor of Arts, 1975
David A. Torres earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration from Cal State University, Fresno and his Juris Doctorate degree from Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane, Washington. Torres is an AV Preeminent rated California attorney, which is the highest rating any attorney can receive by both his peers and judges. Torres has practiced both state and federal criminal defense law for over thirty years, he has tried over 180 felony trials to verdict and has argued successfully before the California Supreme Court (Cowan vs. Superior Court, (1996) 14 Cal.4th 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. Mr. Torres is past President of the Kern County Bar Association and in 2010 was awarded the KCBA Bench and Bar Award, the highest award given by the local bar association. 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). He is currently 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 (2+2+3 program), and is also involved with the CSUB Pre-Law program. In 2014, Torres was appointed to serve as the Criminal Justice Act Representative for the United States District Court, Eastern District of California, the largest geographical district in the United States. Mr. Torres holds the rank of Colonel in the California State Guard, having served in the US Army Reserve, Judge Advocate General's Corps. He began his military career with the United States Marine Corps Reserve where he was Honorably Discharged after 4 ½ years of service and was later commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army as an Infantry Officer and earned his Airborne wings. Mr. Torres has nearly 40 years of military service. In 2003, Torres drafted and published the Expedited Citizenship Program for the US Army Reserve. The program, which assists “Green Card” military members become US citizens within 90 days, was later adopted by the Departments of the Army, Navy and Air Force. The following year, the American Bar Association recognized then MAJ. Torres and his staff with the Legal Assistance Military Personnel Distinguished Service Award. In 2021, COL. Torres was again awarded the ABA LAMP for his work in leading a team of volunteer Judge Advocates which assists Soldiers/combat veterans who are legal residents become naturalized citizens. In August 2020, Torres, along with Jay Tamsi, HA Sala and the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, joined forces to create the Covid-19 Latino Task Force initially, to bring awareness of the coronavirus to the Latino community. As the task force evolved, its mission rapidly expanded to include all citizens of Kern County because of the need to educate and protect the citizens of this county. Since its creation, Torres has appeared in numerous television commercials and interviews in both English and Spanish mediums, informing the public about the need to remain Covid free and the importance of washing hands frequently, maintaining social distancing and avoiding large gatherings. Torres continues to volunteer his time at testing sites and numerous mass vaccination sites sponsored by the task force. In July, 2022, Torres | Torres Stallings was selected by the statewide California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Central Region Business Award which recognized an exemplary Hispanic small business that “makes significant contributions to the advancement of our communities.” Torres was recently named the recipient of Gonzaga University School of Law Distinguished Legal Service Award, one of the law school’s highest honors.
Education
Undergraduate: California State University, Fresno
Graduate: Gonzaga School of Law
Bar Information
Admitted, Supreme Court of the United States of America May 1997 Admitted, USDC, Southern District, California May 1997 Admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States Dec. 1999 Admitted to practice law in the USDC, Colorado Mar. 200
Admitted in Nevada, California, Colorado, Arizona, and the Territory of Guam. Also admitted into the US District Courts of Central California and Nevada; the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; and the US Supreme Court.Currently practicing in Nevada handling mainly Personal Injury and DUI matters. Was previously an Alternate Municipal Court Judge for the City of Las Vegas and a Traffic and Small Claims Referee for the Las Vegas Justice Court. Currently an Arbitrator for Eighth Judi
Education
Undergraduate: University of Southern California, BS, 1991
Law School: Southwestern University School of Law , JD, 1993
Faculty, NBTA, (1998)The Champion, "Cross Examination of Government Scientific Witnesses: Pretrial Release: Community Ties in the 21st Century"Author, "Clarence Darrow Lessons for Today's Lawyer", 2004Fellow, International Society of BarristersFellow, American Coll. of Trial LawyersListed in Best Lawyers in America
Education
Undergraduate: Birmingham So. College, BA, 1973
Graduate: University of Toledo, MA, 1974
Law School: University of Tennessee, JD, 1977
Bar Information
US Ct. of Appeals, 1st-11th Cirs., DC and Federal Circuits, US Dist Cts. for the E., W. & Mid. Dists
President, Pinellas Co. Trial Lawyers Assn. (2005)Fellow, Litigation Counsel of AmericaMember, Pinellas Co. Criminal Defense Lawyers Assn.Member, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and American Bar AssociationsGold Life Member, NAACPLife Member, FACDLMember, American Judicature SocietyListed, Top 100 Trial Lawyers, American Trial Lawyers Assn. (2007-2010) Rated Superb, Avvo.comListed, Super Lawyer (2006-2009)
Education
Undergraduate: University of South Florida, BA, 1982
Law School: Stetson University College of Law, JD, 1985
Member, Board of Directors, NACDL (1994-2000); Founding Member and Past President, Washington Assn. of Criminal Defense Lawyers (1992-93); Recipient, Marshall Stern Award for Legislative Achievement, NACDL (2000); Recipient, President's Commendation, NACDL (1993, 1994, 1996); Co-Chair, Forfeiture Abuse Task Force, NACDL (1991-Present); Super Lawyer, 2000-Present.
Education
Undergraduate: University of Denver, BA, 1968
Law School: University of Southern Cal. Law School, JD, 1971
Bar Information
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals; United States Supreme Court
Past President, New York Criminal Bar Assn.Author, "Motions to Suppress Physical Evidence", "Motions to Suppress Statements", "Motions to Suppress Electronic Eavesdropping", Criminal Trial Advocacy; "Sentencing Considerations in Computer Crime Cases", Criminal Defense Techniques
Member, Section Councils, Civil and Criminal Litigation Sections, VA Bar Assn.Certified Criminal and Civil Trial Advocate, Natl. Board of Trial AdvocacyCertified Player Agent, Natl. Basketball Players Assn. & NFLPAMember, American Bd. of Trial AdvocatesAV rated by Martindale-Hubbell Master of the Bench, Ted Dalton American Inns of Court
Education
Undergraduate: Roanoke College, , 1979
Law School: Samford Univ. Cumberland Sch. of Law, , 1984
