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  • InsideTrack
  • July 05, 2017

    Looking Ahead: Larry Martin Begins Tenure as State Bar Executive Director

    Larry Martin, the State Bar’s new executive director, brings experience in association management, politics, and government to his new position.

    Shannon Green

    Larry Martin 2017His caffeine drink of choice is an ice cold Coca-Cola.

    “It’s from my days of working in political campaigns,” he admits. While others took up chain smoking or drinking, he took up soda. “It’s how I got through the day.”

    While he now drinks fewer cans of soda than he did in his younger days, he still likes the occasional Coke – on ice.

    On July 1, Martin assumed his role as the State Bar's chief executive officer, following the retirement of former Executive Director George Brown on June 30.

    Proud Kenoshan, Dedicated Madisonian

    Martin grew up in Kenosha. “I take great pride in being raised in a wonderful community”, says Martin.

    “I’m the classic Wisconsin kid,” Martin said. When it came time to choose where to attend college, he went to U.W. Madison – falling in love with the city where he has lived ever since.

    Martin’s wife, Martha Cranley, works as senior director of United Way of Dane County. They have two sons in their 20s – Michael and Samuel – and a teenage daughter, Mary Kate, and an 8-year-old Golden Retriever named Lucy. Martin enjoys day road trips and going to the movies with his family, taking walks, and reading biographies. They’ve found that Madison is a great place to raise a family. 

    Larry and family

    A recent photo of Larry with his family, from left: Michael, Martha, Mary Kate, Larry, and Samuel.

    The Path to the Bar

    Martin chose U.W. Madison as a result of his interest in politics and government, receiving his B.A. in political science and history, and did graduate work at U.W.-Madison’s Robert M. LaFollette Institute of Public Affairs.

    Prior to joining the State Bar in 2011, Martin served in a variety of executive leadership positions running nonprofit and professional associations, as well as in state government. “I’ve spent a fair amount of time working in the Capitol,” as a page in the Assembly and Senate, and later as an aide to two governors. He is the former executive director of the Wisconsin Library Association, as well as the first executive director of the Dane Fund, now known as Forward Community Investments, a community development loan fund fighting poverty and promoting long-term economic self-sufficiency.

    Since joining the State Bar, Martin served as member services director, then as associate executive director starting in 2014. He also serves as director of the Wisconsin Law Foundation.

    A More Inclusive Bar

    “I’m walking into a great situation,” he writes in his first column, to be published in the July/August issue of Wisconsin Lawyer magazine. “The State Bar is fiscally sound. Standing with me are incredibly smart and dedicated leaders, engaged volunteers, and a dedicated and talented team of colleagues.”

    Shannon Green is communications writer for the State Bar of Wisconsin, Madison. She can be reached by email or by phone at (608) 250-6135.

    Martin will continue to work toward a more inclusive bar, as communities and the legal profession are becoming more diverse. “We need to embrace the possibilities and value of a more inclusive bar if we are to succeed as an organization and, more importantly, help you succeed in your practice,” he said.

    The fundamental role of the bar is to help its members grow their practices and help them best serve their clients, “while working to ensure it is done in a fair and equitable justice system,” Martin said.

    “I see the role of the State Bar as positioning our members to not just survive, but thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing world,” Martin said. “I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.”

    So when you see Martin at a State Bar event or other gathering, come over and introduce yourself.

    And share an ice cold Coca-Cola.


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