The group's 30 members consist of consumer advocates, medical providers, attorneys and insurance industry representatives. It is expected to examine the state's auto insurance system and propose improvements.

Ms. Bakke said Mr. Torres brings "special expertise in consensus building and reconciling diverse interests on public policy issues."

An attorney, Mr. Torres was vice president and corporate counsel at Prudential Insurance Co. of America based in Newark, N.J.

Before Prudential, Mr. Torres served as director of the Division on Civil Rights within the state's Department of Law and Public Safety. There, he was credited with implementing management reforms to reduce the agency's case backlog, the department said.

Mr. Torres served as Law and Public Safety's assistant director of enforcement, investigating employment, housing and public accommodations discrimination. He also served as special counsel to the former N.J. Department of the Public Advocate, and was an assistant deputy public defender with the Office of the Public Defender.

Consumer and industry organizations said there is an agreement with the department not to comment on the working group initiative until after they have completed their work.