Derek Martin
Partner
- Idiomas
- Inglés
- Colegio de Abogados
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- State Bar of Illinois #6315554
Derek Martin is the driving force behind Driver Defense Team, the top-rated Illinois law firm for car crash injury cases, DUI defense, traffic tickets, and driver's license reinstatements. As Managing Partner, he sets the vision, strategy, and culture that have helped tens of thousands of drivers across Chicagoland protect their licenses, their records, and their futures.
Born and raised in Chicago's south suburbs, Derek worked full-time managing more than 50 employees at a major media company while attending Chicago-Kent College of Law at night. That combination — real-world leadership and rigorous legal training — shaped his belief that great legal representation is about more than knowing the law. It's about building systems, developing people, and holding yourself accountable to results.
Derek co-founded Driver Defense Team with his wife, an accomplished criminal defense attorney in her own right. Together, they've grown it into one of the fastest-growing law firms in the country. DDT has earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 list three years in a row — a rare distinction that reflects both the firm's explosive growth and the trust clients place in the team.
He's the architect behind the firm's 9-Step Playbook and Personalized Defense Gameplan, two proven systems that have helped thousands of clients navigate some of the most stressful legal situations of their lives — and come out ahead. Under his leadership, the firm has defended more than 20,000 cases.
He leads a team of dedicated attorneys and legal professionals who appear in court daily throughout the Chicagoland area — in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, and surrounding counties. Derek holds himself and every member of the team to the same standard: show up prepared, fight hard, and never stop improving.
Outside the courtroom, Derek is a proud husband and father of three great kids. He loves coaching their football and baseball teams, which — if you know Derek — makes perfect sense. He runs DDT the same way he coaches: with clear expectations, a competitive spirit, and an unshakeable belief that the right preparation makes all the difference.
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3,000+ reseñas de 5 estrellas en Google
Lo que los clientes dicen sobre Derek
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Raquel Rios
9 de junio de 2026“I’m very happy with this law firm’s services. Everyone was so kind — from Ricardo, who assured me I had chosen a great firm, to Laura, who made sure I had everything I needed. And my attorney, Derek Martin, was truly amazing took care of everything and made sure I didn’t have to worry about any fines or penalties. His empathy and kindness during such a difficult time in my life will never be forgotten. Thank you all so much for your assistance and for working with me. I truly recommend Driver Defense Team ❤️”
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Beaver P
25 de abril de 2026“I had nothing but an amazing experience with Driver Defense Team. Their team is extremely professional and they take care of you right away. 100% recommending Driver Defense Team to anyone who gets a traffic ticket. Shout out to Derek for helping me with my case he was extremely professional and amazing negotiator. - Joseph”
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Art
28 de febrero de 2026“Driver's defense team had made a minor mistake in my payment plan but thank you so much to Derek for taking the time and correcting it right away.”
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Luis Torres
24 de febrero de 2026“Best place to go to fight a driving a revoke and to help get license back i havent had my license over 15 years and about to start the process now, thank you derek”
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Alyssa Macrae
20 de febrero de 2026“Ruben and Derek were helpful from the beginning, they made me feel a little bit more comfortable, and answered my questions. They were there to hold my hand through the whole process . Made a bad situation bearable. Ruben and Derek and their whole team were very easy to work with.”
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Salvador Lopez Belman
13 de diciembre de 2025“My sincere thanks to the Ruben , Klaudia ,Derek ,and the entire team at Driver Defense Team for their incredible work on my case. It was clear that everyone, from the paralegals to the attorneys, was committed, knowledgeable, and worked seamlessly together. They took the weight off my shoulders, managed every detail meticulously, and delivered a result that exceeded my expectations. A top-tier firm that genuinely cares about their clients”
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Chris Topher
10 de diciembre de 2025“Derek & his DDT Law Team were fantastic. Handled my traffic tickets in city & suburbs all via zoom with real time responses to my emails. Keep me informed with constant text updates and reminders until everything was solved. Saved me a bunch of time & money. Got my license fixed. Highly recommended.”
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Daniel Rosenberg
5 de diciembre de 2025“As a fellow DUI attorney in New Jersey, I’ve reached out to Derek Martin for guidance on matters involving clients with Illinois licenses, and he has always been incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. He’s professional, responsive, and clearly knows his field. If you’re facing a DUI and need a trusted advocate, Derek and his team are an excellent choice.”
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Brett Brunner
19 de noviembre de 2025“Laura was an excellent case manager. As someone who never experienced legal proceedings, working with lawyers or being involved in a case, it was very helpful for Laura to be outgoing, responsive in time and transparent. I thank her, Derek and Kelly for being patient with me and making me feel rest assured from start to finish during my case. I recommend them to anyone reading this who needs a traffic lawyer, and I would certainly choose them again.”
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Robbie Iraburo
5 de noviembre de 2025“Laura and Derek made the whole process so smooth and relaxing. They put me on the right path in order to fix my wrong and really helped out in the end. I thank them tremendously for their hard work and dedication to helping me resolve my issue.”
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Cristian Rangel
20 de marzo de 2025“Thanks to the DDT team and my attorney, Dereck, for their excellent representation in my DUI case, which resulted in a positive outcome for me. On the first day of court, my attorney said, "Trust me," and I did. Today, I'm so grateful it was the best decision I ever made. They were always willing and attentive to help and resolve any concerns or requests. A special thanks to Daniel, who was always on top of everything and answered my calls with a bilingual team, which facilitated better understanding when needed. THANK YOU”
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Omer Younus Darsot
18 de marzo de 2025“I cannot thank Driver Defense Team enough for their exceptional service in handling my aggravated speeding ticket. From the start, Derek Martin, James Doerr, and Kelly Moore demonstrated professionalism, expertise, and a deep understanding of traffic law. They guided me through every step of the process, kept me informed, and ultimately got my case dismissed! Their dedication and strategic approach made all the difference, and I couldn’t have asked for better representation. If you're facing any traffic-related charges, I highly recommend Driver Defense Team. They are the best in the business, and their results speak for themselves!”