Vedder Price is pleased to announce that Shareholder Andrew Torre has been named Chair of the Vedder Price Diversity Committee, effective immediately. Mr. Torre currently serves as Chair of the firm’s Real Estate group and as a co-chair of Vedder Price’s diverse attorneys initiative, Vedder Diverse. He succeeds Shareholder Jeanah Park, who held the position since January 2018 and will remain on the Committee.

The Vedder Price Diversity Committee ensures that efforts to promote and enhance diversity and a culture of inclusiveness remain a priority at Vedder Price. The Committee is charged with ensuring the firm reflects the rich diversity of the communities, industries and clients we serve.

“I’m honored to be elected as the next Chair of the Diversity Committee and look forward to building off of Jeanah’s incredible progress and programs she has led over the last few years,” said Mr. Torre. “We will continue to promote a culture of inclusiveness and work to advance opportunities for lawyers of all races, ethnicities, religions, genders or sexual orientations.”

Vedder Price’s recent diversity initiatives include an expanded partnership with the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity and the Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firm’s Pathway to Partnership Program, an expanded Diversity Scholarship program in the firm’s New York office, a partnership with Chicago Innovation’s Women Mentoring Co-op and the launch of a New Parent Attorney Mentoring Program, among supporting many organizations committed to promoting diversity and inclusion.

“The Diversity Committee has worked to strengthen our diverse programming over the years and we strive to create new, innovative ideas to push the envelope in law firm diversity to help better serve our clients and advance their goals,” said Ms. Park. “I’m excited for Andy’s vision as he takes us into this next chapter of diversity initiatives at the firm.”

“Diversity and inclusion are core to the Vedder culture, and we are focused on expanding diversity in our legal and staff teams,” said Michael A. Nemeroff, President and CEO of Vedder Price. “We look forward to working with Andy in his leadership role of an integral pillar of the firm.”

Mr. Torre has been with the firm since 2011. He counsels institutional and commercial clients in a variety of real estate matters, including the acquisition, disposition, leasing, development and financing of numerous types of real estate assets. In addition to his transactional practice, Mr. Torre has also represented clients in connection with various commercial real estate litigation matters.

In addition to his legal work, Mr. Torre is active in the community. He serves as a mentor to the Latinx Law Students Association of the University of Chicago Law School. He also serves as a Member of the Hispanic National Bar Association and the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois. He is of Cuban and Spanish descent and is fluent in Spanish.