Judge Torgerson was appointed to the federal bench in March 2003 and retired in March 2014. He conducted approximately 750 Rule 16 Settlement Conferences while on the federal bench and continues to do private mediations in retirement. Judge Torgerson has been a frequent speaker at continuing legal education seminars in New Mexico‚ a presenter at judicial educational programs sponsored by the Federal Judicial Center, an instructor at the Department of Justice National Advocacy Center and a frequent member of judge panels at conferences sponsored by the American Conference Institute.

Alan C. Torgerson graduated from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1970 and practiced in Chicago before moving to New Mexico in 1974.

Torgerson was President of the New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association from 1978-1980. His contributions on behalf of the defense bar included organizing the first amicus curie brief and the first continuing legal education program sponsored by the New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association.

He has been a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and a Master Bencher in American Inns of Courts. He is also listed in The Best Lawyers in Americaand and is AV rated lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell. He has been a frequent speaker at continuing legal education seminars in New Mexico on topics related to trial preparation, the trial of civil lawsuits, mediation and professionalism.

Torgerson served on the New Mexico Board of Bar Commissioners from 1984-1994, and was President of the State Bar of New Mexico from1992-1993. He also served on the Board of Directors and as President of the New Mexico State Bar Foundation. Torgerson has been a recipient of numerous awards and has been recognized by the State Bar for among other things his contributions in helping to draft the Minimum Continuing Legal Education Rules; Statement of Principles between attorneys and physicians; creation of the Special Summer Clerkship Program for disadvantaged law students; creation of the Legal Assistant Division of the State Bar; and for his service to the State Bar of New Mexico.  He was also instrumental in developing the Client Protection Fund in the 1990's, a fund to reimburse clients affected by lawyer dishonesty.Torgerson has also been recognized for his fund raising on behalf of the Equal Access to Judicial Fund and for the construction of the State Bar Center. At the 1999 State Bar Convention, Torgerson was honored with a Century of Achievement Award. This award was presented to one or more judges or attorneys for each decade who demonstrated unquestionable legal expertise and knowledge, exemplary professional and ethical commitment, service and leadership to the profession and voluntary service to the community. 

Torgerson has also been active in the Federal Bar, having served on a committee that drafted Standards of Attorney Conduct and Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement. He has also served as a member of the Federal Court Committee on Admissions and Grievances and on the U.S. Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel. Torgerson has also been appointed to numerous Judicial Nominations Commissions for state and local judges. He has also served as a Hearing and Review Officer for the Disciplinary Board of the New Mexico Supreme Court. In addition, Torgerson has served as the State Bar of New Mexico's delegate to the American Bar Association and as Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association. He also served on the Executive Committee of the Commission on Professionalism of the State Bar of New Mexico.

$400 per hour with a minimum fee of $2500.