In a ceremony held last week, Matthew Martens, Co-Chair of WilmerHale’s Securities Litigation and Enforcement Practice Group, was formally inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, joining an elite group recognized for exceptional trial advocacy and dedication to the highest standards of the legal profession. The ceremony, which drew distinguished jurists, practitioners, and guests from across the country, was marked not only by Martens’ induction but also by his delivery of the responsive address on behalf of the 2025 class of inductees—a tradition reserved for those who embody the spirit and commitment of the College.
Martens, a renowned trial lawyer, has built a reputation as one of the few attorneys who have successfully appeared—and won—at trial at “all four tables”: civil plaintiff, civil defendant, criminal prosecution, and criminal defendant. Over the course of his career, he has tried 26 cases spanning a remarkable array of subject matters, including securities fraud, patent infringement, consumer fraud, murder, employment law, and money laundering. Since joining WilmerHale, Martens has maintained an active trial practice, winning cases with billions of dollars at stake.
Martens joins several WilmerHale lawyers who are Fellows of the College. Last year Joe Mueller, Co-Chair of WilmerHale’s Trial Practice, was inducted. Partners Robert Gunther, Brent Gurney, Hallie Levin, Bill Lee, Howard Shapiro and Seth Waxman are also Fellows of the College
Martens’ career has been distinguished by both high-profile government service and private practice at an elite level. He served as Chief Litigation Counsel for the SEC’s Division of Enforcement, where he managed cases nationwide and led a trial unit of approximately 40 attorneys in Washington, DC. Martens personally developed and directed the SEC’s litigation response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Janus Capital, an effort for which he received the Commission’s prestigious Chairman’s Award for Excellence.
He also prevailed as lead trial counsel for the SEC in the landmark securities fraud trial against former Goldman Sachs trader Fabrice Tourre, securing a jury verdict on six of seven claims, including the most serious intentional fraud charges. The trial—which unfolded in a New York federal court—was covered extensively by major news outlets and received front-page treatment in The Wall Street Journal. The Economist described Martens’ closing argument as a “sweeping story of deception” that brought clarity and focus to weeks of complex testimony and evidence.
Former SEC Chairman Mary Schapiro described Martens as having “this extraordinary ability to, in a very cogent, concise, logical way, pull all the information together that was necessary for us to make a decision.” Michael Chertoff, formerly the U.S. Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division, described Matt to The New York Times as “really good at explaining things in plain English.”
Martens began his legal career as a law clerk for two of the nation’s most respected jurists: Judge David B. Sentelle of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist of the US Supreme Court.
The American College of Trial Lawyers, founded in 1950, is widely regarded as one of the premier legal organizations in North America. Fellowship is extended by invitation only, following rigorous evaluation of candidates’ trial skills, professional conduct, and contributions to the legal community.