Martin graduated from Wayne Hills Senior High School in Wayne, New Jersey in 1972. He received his B.A. in both Political Science and Economics (double major) at the American University in Washington, D.C. in 1976. Subsequently he graduated from the Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles, California in 1981. Martin had his own law practice as well as wroking independantly for various law firrms in Los Angeles CA until he relocated to Sacramento in 1990. He again had his own practice and worked independantly for various law firrms until 1995 when he joined Fraley & Fraley (Calfironia Bankruptcy Attorneys). He has practiced exclucively bankruptcy law since 1995.

Martin and his wife have three young children. He is a dedicated San Francisco Giants fan, loves to work on his computer and is active in his political party.