Juan Torruella

Juan Torruella
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Current Court Information:
United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
Title:	Judge
Position:	Seat #5
Station:	San Juan, PR
Service:
Appointed by:	Ronald Reagan
Active:	10/4/1984 - Present
Chief:	1994-2001
Preceded by:	98 Stat. 333
Past post:	District of Puerto Rico
Past chief:	1982-1984
Past term:	1974-1984
Past position:	Seat #1
Personal History
Born:	1933
Home State:	San Juan, PR
Bachelors:	U. of Pennsylvania, B.S., 1954
Law School:	Boston U. Law, J.D., 1957
Grad. School:	U. of Virginia Law, LL.M., 1984 U. of Puerto Rico, M.P.A., 1984

Juan R. Torruella (b. 1933) is a federal judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. He joined the court in 1984 after being nominated by President Ronald Reagan. Prior to his appointment, Torruella had been a district judge on the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. He joined the district court in 1974 after an appointment from Gerald Ford . At the time of his appointment, he was a private practice attorney in Puerto Rico.

Early life and education

Torruella was born in 1933 in San Juan, PR. He graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with his Bachelor's Degree in 1954 and later graduated from Boston Law (BU Law) with his juris doctorate degree in 1957. He went on to graduate from Virginia Law with his Master of Laws Degree in 1984 and earned a Master's in Public Affairs from the University of Puerto Rico School of Public Administration in 1984.

Former Olympian

Torruella competed in four Olympic Games as a sailor for the Puerto Rico sailing team, beginning in 1964 until the 1976 games. He served as the teams coach in the 1984 games. He now sits on the Court of Arbitration for Sport, an international organization that works to settle sports disputes.

Professional career

Torruella was a private practice attorney licensed in Puerto Rico from 1959 to 1974.

Judicial career

First Circuit

Torruella was nominated to the First Circuit by President Ronald Reagan on August 1, 1984. He was nominated for a new seat created by 98 Stat. 333. Torruella was confirmed by the Senate on October 3, 1984 on a senate vote and received his commission on October 4, 1984. Torruella served as chief judge of the First Circuit from 1994-2001.

District of Puerto Rico

Judge Torruella was nominated to the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico by Gerald Ford on November 18, 1974, to a seat vacated by Hiram Cancio. He was confirmed by the Senate on December 18, 1974, and received his commission on December 20, 1974. Torruella served as chief judge of the court from 1982-1984 and he left it on October 30, 1984, due to his elevation to the First Circuit. Torruella was succeeded in this position by Jose Fuste.

Awards and associations

Awards

• Boston University, Silver Shingle Award (1982) and Alumni Award (1995)
• 500th Anniversary of the Discovery of the America's Medal, 1992
• St. Johns University, Honorary Doctor of Law, 1995
• International Olympic Committee, Olympic Order, 1998
• Roger Williams University, Honorary Doctor of Law, 1998

Notable cases

Truth defense

United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit      *Alan S. Noonan v. Staples, Inc. No. 07-2159
On February 13, 2009, Torruella wrote the opinion in Noonan v. Staples, which held that a finding of libel can be made by a court even when the a potentially libelous comment is true. Some legal analysts say this is the first federal court decision in the United States that goes against the precedent that truth is an absolute defense against libel.

See also

• United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
• District of Puerto Rico

External links

• First circuit website

References

Federal judicial offices
Preceded by: Hiram Cancio	District of Puerto Rico 1974–1984 Seat #1	Succeeded by: Jose Fuste
Preceded by: NA - new seat	First Circuit 1984–present Seat #5	Succeeded by: NA