Billy Martin (lawyer)
Encyclopedia
William R. "Billy" Martin is an attorney with Dorsey & Whitney
in the Washington, D.C. office (formerly of the Atlanta-based legal firm Sutherland Asbill & Brennan
and of Howrey LLP
). Martin joined the firm in 2011. His notable past clients have included NBA stars Allen Iverson
and Jayson Williams
, Monica Lewinsky
's mother, and Chandra Levy
's parents. He also represented former Atlanta mayor Bill Campbell
on racketeering, bribery and wire fraud charges; Campbell was convicted of three counts of tax fraud, but acquitted on racketeering and bribery charges. Mr. Martin also defended former NBA player Jayson Williams
at trial during Spring 2004, after which Williams was acquitted of first-degree manslaughter.
In July 2007, Martin became Michael Vick
's lawyer for the Bad Newz Kennels dog fighting investigation
. Martin has alleged Michael Vick's innocence, stating, "From the beginning, Mr. Vick has accepted responsibility for his actions, and his self-surrender (and going to jail early) further demonstrates that acceptance."
Martin represented Senator Larry Craig
in his effort to have his disorderly conduct conviction overturned and expunged. On December 9, 2008, the Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed a District Court's ruling denying Craig's request to withdraw his guilty plea. Martin has said he may appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court
.
Martin is a graduate of Howard University
and the University of Cincinnati College of Law
. He is married to National Public Radio journalist and radio host Michel Martin.
Dorsey & Whitney
Dorsey & Whitney LLP is a large law firm, with close to 600 lawyers and 650 staff located in 19 offices in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Its headquarters is in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and has been since its inception. Dorsey is currently led by its managing partner, Marianne D. Short...
in the Washington, D.C. office (formerly of the Atlanta-based legal firm Sutherland Asbill & Brennan
Sutherland Asbill & Brennan
Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP, rebranded to the abbreviated name of Sutherland, is an AmLaw 100 American law firm. Founded in 1924 by William Sutherland and Elbert Tuttle as Sutherland & Tuttle, the firm originally achieved national prominence on tax issues...
and of Howrey LLP
Howrey LLP
Howrey LLP was a global law firm that practiced antitrust, global litigation and intellectual property law. At its peak Howrey had more than 500 attorneys in 16 locations worldwide.-History:...
). Martin joined the firm in 2011. His notable past clients have included NBA stars Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson
Allen Ezail Iverson is an American professional basketball point guard and shooting guard. He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the number one pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in the 1996–97 season...
and Jayson Williams
Jayson Williams
Jayson Williams is an American former professional basketball player. Standing 6 feet, 10 inches tall, he played for the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets of the National Basketball Association. In 2010, he pled guilty to assault in the shooting death of a limousine driver...
, Monica Lewinsky
Monica Lewinsky
Monica Samille Lewinsky is an American woman with whom United States President Bill Clinton admitted to having had an "improper relationship" while she worked at the White House in 1995 and 1996...
's mother, and Chandra Levy
Chandra Levy
Chandra Ann Levy was an American intern at the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Washington, D.C., who disappeared in May 2001. She was presumed murdered after her skeletal remains were found in Rock Creek Park in May 2002...
's parents. He also represented former Atlanta mayor Bill Campbell
Bill Campbell (mayor)
Bill Campbell , is a former American politician, a member of the Democratic Party, and served as the 57th Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., from 1994 to 2002. Campbell was the fifty-seventh mayor in the city's history and the third African American to hold the office...
on racketeering, bribery and wire fraud charges; Campbell was convicted of three counts of tax fraud, but acquitted on racketeering and bribery charges. Mr. Martin also defended former NBA player Jayson Williams
Jayson Williams
Jayson Williams is an American former professional basketball player. Standing 6 feet, 10 inches tall, he played for the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets of the National Basketball Association. In 2010, he pled guilty to assault in the shooting death of a limousine driver...
at trial during Spring 2004, after which Williams was acquitted of first-degree manslaughter.
In July 2007, Martin became Michael Vick
Michael Vick
Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...
's lawyer for the Bad Newz Kennels dog fighting investigation
Bad Newz Kennels dog fighting investigation
The Bad Newz Kennels dog fighting investigation began in April 2007 with a search of property in Surry County, Virginia, owned by Michael Vick, who was at the time quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons football team, and the subsequent discovery of evidence of a dog fighting ring...
. Martin has alleged Michael Vick's innocence, stating, "From the beginning, Mr. Vick has accepted responsibility for his actions, and his self-surrender (and going to jail early) further demonstrates that acceptance."
Martin represented Senator Larry Craig
Larry Craig
Larry Edwin Craig is a former Republican politician from the U.S. state of Idaho. He served 18 years in the U.S. Senate , preceded by 10 years in the U.S. House, representing Idaho's first district . His 28 years in the Congress rank as the second-longest in Idaho history, trailing only William...
in his effort to have his disorderly conduct conviction overturned and expunged. On December 9, 2008, the Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed a District Court's ruling denying Craig's request to withdraw his guilty plea. Martin has said he may appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court
Minnesota Supreme Court
The Minnesota Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. state of Minnesota and consists of seven members. The court was first assembled as a three-judge panel in 1849 when Minnesota was still a territory. The first members were lawyers from outside of the region who were appointed by...
.
Martin is a graduate of Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
and the University of Cincinnati College of Law
University of Cincinnati College of Law
The University of Cincinnati College of Law is the fourth oldest continually running law school in the United States and a founding member of the Association of American Law Schools. It was started in 1833 as the Cincinnati Law School...
. He is married to National Public Radio journalist and radio host Michel Martin.