John C. Martin

Partner

John C. Martin concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial and fiduciary litigation and intellectual property.

He has substantial experience in disputes under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), including first-chair experience in civil suits addressing alleged breaches of fiduciary obligations and prohibited transactions as well as administrative proceedings concerning the administration of Employee Stock Ownership plans. He also has served as principal counsel representing generic drug manufactures in Hatch-Waxman patent litigation. His commercial experience includes representing financial institutions and insurers in state and federal fiduciary and business tort cases, including lender liability claims and the defense of class action lawsuits. He also counsels clients on legislative and constitutional issues.

Publications

"Rule 4.2 and the Pro Se Lawyer," Section of Litigation, Ethics & Professionalism Committee, American Bar Association Web site (April 2006)

"Expedition of Professionalism: Considering the Utility of Model Rule 3.2," Minority Trial Lawyer, Vol. 3, No. 2 (Spring 2005)

"Mandating Professionalism: South Carolina's Attempt to Swear Lawyers to Civility," Litigation Ethics, Vol. 3, No. 2 (Winter-Spring 2005)

Pro Bono Activities

Mr. Martin has been a volunteer with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS) for more than a decade, and is lead counsel for the petitioner in Lawler v. Terry, Warden, a Georgia capital habeas corpus proceeding.

Education

Clerkships

Honorable Suzanne B. Conlon, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois (1994-1995)

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association
Section of Litigation
          Ethics and Professionalism Committee
                    Editor, Litigation Ethics 
                    Web Editor

Chicago Bar Association