Gerald Torres
Professor of Environmental Justice and Professor of Law
Gerald Torres is Professor of Environmental Justice at the Yale School of the Environment, with a secondary appointment as Professor of Law at the Law School.
FULL BIOGRAPHY
Contact Information
- SLB Room K11
- 203-432-4958
- gerald.torres@yale.edu
Faculty Assistant
Monika Piotrowicz
- 327
- 203-432-1028
- monika.piotrowicz@yale.edu
Education & Curriculum Vitae
LL.M., University of Michigan Law School, 1980
J.D., Yale Law School, 1977
A.B., Stanford University, 1974
Courses Taught
- Saginaw-Chippewa Disenrollment Clinic
- Federal Indian Law
Gerald Torres is Professor of Environmental Justice at the Yale School of the Environment, with a secondary appointment as Professor of Law at the Law School.
A pioneer in the field of environmental law, Torres has spent his career examining the intrinsic connections between the environment, agricultural and food systems, and social justice. His research into how race and ethnicity impact environmental policy has been influential in the emergence and evolution of the field of environmental justice. His work also includes the study of conflicts over resource management between Native American tribes, states, and the federal government.
Previously, Torres taught at Cornell Law School, the University of Texas Law School, and the University of Minnesota Law School, serving as an associate dean at both. He is also a former president of the Association of American Law Schools and served as deputy assistant attorney general for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice during the Clinton administration.
Torres’s past work has examined how U.S. regulations have created racially or ethnically marginalized communities that bear a disproportionate share of environmental burdens and also has focused on developing strategies to improve governmental decision-making. He is also a leading scholar in critical race theory — a theoretical framework that examines questions of race and racism from a legal standpoint. His book The Miner’s Canary: Enlisting Race, Resisting Power, Transforming Democracy, coauthored with Lani Guinier, was described as “one of the most provocative and challenging books on race produced in years.”
Wednesday, September 8, 2021
From a Founder — What Critical Race Theory Means
Dear Ohio Podcast
Professor of Law Gerald Torres ’77 was interviewed about critical race theory.
Saturday, June 19, 2021
Critical Race Theory Has Proved Divisive. What Is It?
The Day
Professor of Law Gerald Torres ’77 is quoted on the meaning of critical race theory.
Monday, June 7, 2021
How Communities Of Color Are Hurt Most By Climate Change
Forbes
Professor of Law Gerald Torres ’77 is quoted on how climate change disproportionally affects people of color.
Friday, May 28, 2021
Biden’s Fossil Fuel Moves Clash With Pledges on Climate Change
The New York Times
Professor of Environmental Justice and Professor of Law Gerald Torres ’77 is quoted in a news story about President Joe Biden’s environmental policies.
Friday, May 7, 2021
Foundations Lecture Series Held at Yale Law School
This spring, the newly launched Foundations Lecture Series featured lectures given by members of the Yale Law School faculty.
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Haaland tells senators she sees ongoing role for fossil fuels
Roll Call
Professor of Law Gerald Torres ’77 is quoted in an article about Deb Haaland, who has been nominated for Secretary of the Interior.
Monday, January 4, 2021
Finally, a chance for environmental justice — A Commentary by Gerald Torres and Kathleen Rogers
Canton Daily Ledger
Gerald Torres is Professor of Environmental Justice at the Yale School of the Environment, with a secondary appointment as Professor of Law at the Law School. Kathleen Rogers is President of Earthday.org.
Thursday, October 1, 2020
Yale Experts Explain Environmental Justice
Environmental justice scholar Professor Gerald Torres talks about the link between social justice and environmental health, and how we cannot move forward without addressing both.
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
Three Leading Scholars Receive Secondary Appointments at YLS
Leading scholars Gerald Torres, Elizabeth Hinton, and Lauren Benton joined the Yale Law School faculty on July 1, 2020 with secondary appointments as Professors of Law.