Candidate for
Superior Court Judge; County of Orange; Office 14

THOMAS E. MARTIN

30900 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite 235 (949) 276-7896 San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 tmartin@temlaw.net

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Law Offices of Thomas E. Martin, APC, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA Owner, 2006-Present  Trial attorney. Responsibility for all aspects of litigated matters, including personal injury, motorcycle collisions, boating accidents, automobile collisions, common carriers, premises liability, products liability, construction site injuries, landlord/tenant cases, and business litigation.  Temporary Judge, Orange County Superior Courts. Hear and rule on Small Claims and traffic cases.  Court appointed independent arbitrator and mediator.  Sole responsibility for preparing cases for arbitration, mediation, or trial. Settlement negotiations. Initiate and respond to discovery. Expert retention, law and motion, and trial preparation. Legal research.  Small business owner with sole responsibility for administration, cost oversight, billing, marketing, calendaring, and accounting.

Wesierski & Zurek, LLP, Irvine, CA Junior Partner, 1997- 2006  Trial attorney. Handle all aspects of insurance defense matters, including personal injury, common carriers, products liability, construction defect, construction site injuries, premises liability, motor vehicle collisions, landlord/tenant, and business litigation.  Court appointed independent arbitrator and mediator.  Sole responsibility for preparing cases for arbitration, mediation, or trial, including all aspects of discovery, expert retention, law and motion, and trial preparation.  Review and audit pre-billing for compliance with client protocols.  Direct and track firm business development. Fostered relationships with self-insureds and carriers.  Conducted performance reviews of staff. Mentored associates. Supervised office staff.  Participated in attorney meetings and conducted calendar meetings.  Researched and presented continuing legal education seminars for clients and for in-house use.

Long & Williamson, Santa Ana, CA Junior Partner, 1989 + 1997  Trial attorney. Handled all aspects of civil litigation from answer to arbitration, settlement, trial, and final judgment. Cases included insurance defense matters of personal injury, common carriers, products liability, construction defect, premises liability, automobile liability, construction site injuries. Law and motion practice, including case ending summary judgments. Expert interviews, retention, and depositions.  Worked closely with claims representatives and supervisors.  Participated in attorney meetings. Conducted calendar meetings. Supervised office staff.

Small, Henstridge & Cabodi, Santa Ana, CA Senior Associate, 1985 + 1989  Trial attorney. Civil litigation practice. Handled cases from answer to settlement, arbitration, final judgment, or appeal. Participation in trials, arbitrations and mediations. Legal research, drafted legal opinions, expert retention, conducted depositions. Initiate and responded to discovery.  Practice areas included personal injury, automobile liability, construction defect, premises liability, construction site injuries, products liability, and insurance coverage.  Assisted partners with their trial preparation.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE - CONTINUED

Ruston & Nance, Tustin, CA Associate, 1984 + 1985  Civil litigation practice. Performed arbitrations, law and motion, and legal research. Drafted legal, liability, and insurance coverage opinions. Researched and drafted appellate briefs. Performed depositions and discovery.  Practice areas included personal injury, automobile liability, premises liability, construction site injuries, products liability, insurance coverage, business litigation.

ADMISSIONS

State Bar of California, 1983 Federal District Court, Ninth Circuit, 1984 Temporary Judge, Orange County Superior Court, 2007

EDUCATION

University of San Diego, School of Law, Juris Doctor 1982 Award: Local Government and Land Use Planning

University of San Diego, B.A., Psychology, 1979 National Honor Society, Psychology; Dean's List

ACTIVE AFFILIATIONS

 Orange County Bar Association  National Honor Society, Psychology  American Motorcyclist Association #3122258  National and Orange Coast Harley Owners Group #U.S. 0735708  American Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education #13560, Local #9

PERSONAL INTERESTS

 Motorcycles  Mountain biking  Fresh water fishing

PERSONAL REFERENCES

Available Upon Request.