Suffolk County District Attorney to Join Bingham Dana; Ralph Martin to Play Key Role in Bingham Consulting Group

Business Wire, Sept 20, 2001

Business Editors

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 20, 2001

We are pleased to announce that Boston DA Ralph Martin, one of Massachusetts' best known political leaders, will be joining Bingham Dana and Bingham Consulting Group.

Please call Hank Shafran at 617.951.8193 if you have any questions.

Ralph C. Martin II, Suffolk County District Attorney, will leave his position after the first of the year to join the international law firm of Bingham Dana LLP.

Martin, who has served as the chief law enforcement officer for Boston, Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop since 1992, will serve as a consultant in Bingham Consulting Group -- a wholly owned subsidiary of Bingham Dana -- which combines high-level public-sector experience with the legal and business skills needed to deal with complex issues at the regional, national and international levels. He will also become a partner in Bingham Dana's litigation department, which has more than 100 litigators.

Martin is the latest in an impressive line of high-level government officials who have left public service to join the firm. These include: Donald K. Stern, former U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts; R. Scott Henderson, former head of Massachusetts' $30 billion state pension fund; Tina L. Brozman, former chief bankruptcy judge in New York's Southern District; Henry Moniz, former assistant U.S. Attorney and adviser to Democratic Congressmen during the Clinton impeachment hearings; and Stephen E. Merrill, former governor and attorney general of New Hampshire.

According to Bingham Dana Managing Partner Jay S. Zimmerman, Martin brings a unique combination of communication, problem-solving, courtroom trial skills, and high-level government experience to the firm. "In today's business world, understanding government regulation and policy making is becoming increasingly important," Zimmerman said.

"Ralph Martin will add significant value to our firm by offering our clients this type of expertise," he continued. "His stature and credibility as a top prosecutor and regulator -- and his understanding of the intersection between business, governmental and legal issues -- will also add depth to Bingham Consulting Group as we continue to build for the future."

According to Martin, the high quality and national prominence of Bingham Dana's practice and lawyers - as well as the firm's strategic vision -- were among the many attributes that attracted him to the firm. "I've known a number of the partners for many years," Martin said, "and they have a stellar reputation for high quality legal work. I wanted an innovative and dynamic Boston-based firm with a strong national presence, as well as a commitment to government enforcement and corporate compliance issues. I was also looking for a collegial culture and a strong track record of pro bono, public and community service. Bingham Dana met all of these requirements and much more."

Martin went on to explain that the opportunity to work with Bingham Consulting Group was a major factor in his decision to join the firm. "I've know Steve Merrill (Bingham Consulting Group president) and Peter Berlandi (Bingham Consulting Group principal) for many years and have always admired their work," Martin said. "I'm looking forward to contributing my experience to help expand the group and make it even more successful than it has already become."

Martin, the son of a former New York City police officer, brings to Bingham Dana more than 20 years experience as a trial lawyer, Assistant District Attorney in Middlesex County, and Assistant United States Attorney in Boston. He was appointed Suffolk County District Attorney by former Governor William F. Weld in 1992 and won election to the office in 1994 by a margin of almost 40 percent. He ran unopposed in 1998 and is the first African-American and Republican district attorney in Suffolk County's history. He oversees a $15M budget and an office of 300 people, including 135 prosecutors. His office is the largest and busiest district attorney's office in New England.

Under Martin's tenure, the district attorney's office formed numerous strategic partnerships with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. He was recognized as a national leader in this area by former President Bill Clinton and former Attorney General Janet Reno and has traveled across the country to both lecture and consult on the business and strategy of managing and reducing crime.

Martin is the recipient of the National Black Prosecutors Association's President's Award of Excellence (August 2000), the Anti-Defamation League's Civil Rights Award (June 1998), Northeastern University Alumni Association's Outstanding Alumni Award in Public Service (1997), and the Brandeis University Alumni Achievement Award (October 1996).

Martin is the immediate past Chair, Criminal Justice Section Council (1999-2001), and Delegate to House of Delegates (1998-2000), American Bar Association; Vice President at Large, National District Attorney's Association (1998-present); Trustee & Member of Executive Committee, Boston Children's Hospital (1995-present); Trustee, Brandeis University (2000-present), Director & Vice-Chair, The Partnership; Director & Member of Executive Committee, Boston Lawyers' Group (1999-present); and Director & Member of Executive Committee, Greater Boston YMCA (1995-present).