Juan R. Torruella

Juan R. Torruella
Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
In office
August 3, 1994 – June 15, 2001
Preceded byStephen Breyer
Succeeded byMichael Boudin
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
In office
October 4, 1984 – October 26, 2020
Appointed byRonald Reagan
Preceded bySeat established by 98 Stat. 333
Succeeded byGustavo Gelpí
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico
In office
September 8, 1982 – October 30, 1984
Preceded byHernan Gregorio Pesquera
Succeeded byJuan Pérez-Giménez
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico
In office
December 20, 1974 – October 30, 1984
Appointed byGerald Ford
Preceded byHiram Rafael Cancio
Succeeded byJosé A. Fusté
Personal details
Born
Juan Rafael Torruella del Valle

(1933-06-07)June 7, 1933
San Juan, Puerto Rico
DiedOctober 26, 2020(2020-10-26) (aged 87)
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Spouse
Judith Wirt
(m. 1955)
Children4, including Juan Jr.
EducationUniversity of Pennsylvania (BS)
Boston University School of Law (JD)
University of Virginia School of Law (LLM)
University of Puerto Rico (MPA)
Magdalen College, Oxford University (MSt)

Juan Rafael Torruella del Valle Sr. (June 7, 1933 – October 26, 2020) was a Puerto Rican jurist. He served as a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit from 1984 until his death, and as chief judge of that court from 1994 to 2001. He was the first Hispanic to serve on the First Circuit, which includes Puerto Rico.[1]

Before becoming an appellate judge, he served as a district judge on the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico from 1974 to 1984. He was also a competitive sailor, competing for the Puerto Rican team at the Summer Olympic Games in 1964, 1968, 1972, and 1976.[2]

  1. ^ Sam Roberts, Juan R. Torruella, Groundbreaking U.S. Appeals Judge, Dies at 87 Archived October 29, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, New York Times (October 28, 2020).
  2. ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Juan Torruella Sr". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2012.