A resident of South Burlington for eleven years, Martin grew up in Alpena, Michigan. He graduated from Alpena High School (1981), Alpena Community College (1984), the University of Michigan Business School (1986, BA in Business Administration), and the University of Michigan Law School (1993). Before attending law school, he worked in New Jersey and New York for four years in data communication sales. After graduating from law school, he worked for Judge John Butzner of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Richmond Virginia and then Judge Paul Friedman of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

In 1995, Martin became a trial attorney at the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., where he worked for thirteen years. During his tenure at the Department of Justice, Martin worked on a wide array of cases, primarily involving the defense of federal land-management agencies such as the Department of the Interior, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Forest Service. He also worked on matters involving the National Environmental Policy Act; collection of royalties on oil, gas, and other minerals owned by the federal government; and the trust responsibilities that the federal government owes Indian tribes.

For a number of years, Martin, his wife Anne, and his children Griffin and Tess went on family vacations at the Tyler Place Resort in Highgate Springs, Vermont. They fell in love with the state so, in 2007, they moved to South Burlington where Martin became a stay-at-home dad.

In March 2010, Martin was elected to the South Burlington School Board. He is currently serving in his third three-year term. During his tenure, the Board has hired a new Superintendent, successfully negotiated contracts with the Teacher’s Association, and adopted budgets that included modest increases in spending.  One of the most important accomplishments of the District in the past several years is its adoption of a written ends policy. This policy sets forth the expectations of the community as to the outcomes expected of the District’s students.

In the spring of 2013, Martin interned for three months with Judge William Sessions of the United States District Court for the District of Vermont. In the fall of 2013, Martin became a member of the Vermont Bar.

In his free time, Martin enjoys biking, cross country skiing, and playing the guitar. He also enjoys cooking and, in September 2011, he won the Shelburne Orchard’s annual apple pie contest. Every November for the past nine years, Martin and his family have participated in the National Novel Writing Month (“Nanowrimo”).  The goal of Nanowrimo is to write a 50,000 word first draft of a novel in a month.  Watercolor painting has also become a serious hobby for Martin, who had an exhibit of his work in November 2012 at the Davis Studio in Burlington and in April and May 2016 in the State House.  Martin currently serves on the board of the Vermont Watercolor Society.