Joseph C. Torres - Chicago, IL
Attorney at Karmel & Torres, LLC
Labor Law Lawyers in Chicago, IL
20 S. Clark Street Suite 1720 Chicago, IL 60603
- Free Consultation
- 1 Super Lawyers®
-
9
Years
Experience
Chicago Labor Law Lawyer
Updated: 04/24/2026
Areas of Practice
- Labor Law
- Workers' Compensation
Attorney Information
Overview
Joseph (Joe) Torres is a Partner at Karmel & Torres, LLC., and is experienced in all areas of labor and employment law. Focusing on representing public and private sector unions, Joe has extensive experience in administrative, grievance, and arbitration proceedings, as well as state and federal court. In addition to traditional labor law representation, Joe’s expertise includes the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, state and federal discrimination, and anti-retaliation law.
Joe serves as outside counsel for unions representing retail and commercial food workers, cannabis workers, nurses, and auto and defense manufacturer workers across various legal areas. These areas include labor issues before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), contract and disciplinary interpretation issues, administrative investigations and hearings, and other types of employment litigation. Joe is also an expert at developing and carrying out legal strategies in support of union organizing and contract campaigns.
As one of the nation's leading union-side cannabis attorneys, Joe advises cannabis unions from the ground-up. This includes being heavily involved in initial organizing campaigns. Joe negotiated Illinois’ first cannabis collective bargaining agreements, earning significant wage and benefit increases for workers. Relatedly, Joe has successfully litigated against cannabis employers in NLRB proceedings, protecting cannabis workers’ right to organize under the National Labor Relations Act.
Awards and Honors
Other Sources of Feedback About Joseph C. Torres
Included on the 2026 Illinois Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2025 Illinois Super Lawyers list
Education
-
Legal Education
-
University of Illinois College of Law,
Illinois
J.D.
Honors: cum laude
Honors: Member of the University of Illinois College of Law Trial Team
Honors: Graduate of the Mirza Trial Academy
-
University of Illinois College of Law,
Illinois
-
Non Legal Education
-
University of St. Francis,
Fort Wayne,
Indiana
B.A. - Philosophy
Honors: magna cum laude
Honors: Student Body President
-
University of St. Francis,
Fort Wayne,
Indiana
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Partner
Past Positions
- Senator Richard Durbin in the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, Intern
- Member of the Illinois Federal Civil Rights Clinic
Bar Admissions
- Illinois, 2017
Other Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- Chicago Bar Association
Contact
20 S. Clark Street
Suite 1720
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: 312-680-0797
Fax: 312-641-0781
Email: Send a message
Website: https://www.karmellawfirm.com
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