Derek Martin
Partner
- Languages
- English
- Bar Admissions
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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. Whether someone is hurt in a crash or facing charges after a traffic stop, Derek's team is known as the go-to firm for any legal issue that starts behind the wheel.
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 early mix of leadership and work ethic still defines how the firm serves clients.
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 and was named the 29th fastest-growing law firm in the United States.
He's the architect behind the firm's 9-Step Playbook and Personalized Defense Gameplan, two proven systems that have helped thousands of clients—whether they were injured, arrested, or fighting for their license—get back on the road and back to their lives. Every case receives clear communication, a strategic plan, and the full weight of the firm's experience to achieve the best possible outcome.
He leads a team of dedicated attorneys and legal professionals who appear in court daily throughout the Chicagoland area. Derek remains hands-on in both strategic leadership and client outcomes, making sure every case is handled with the same high standards and attention to detail.
Outside the courtroom, Derek is a proud husband and father of three great kids. He loves coaching their football and baseball teams, and he brings that same sense of teamwork, preparation, and perseverance into everything he does—both on the field and in the courtroom.
Meet Derek
Hear directly from Derek about our approach to your case.
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3,000+ 5-star Google reviews
What clients say about Derek
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Raquel Rios
June 9, 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
April 25, 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
February 28, 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
February 24, 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
February 20, 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
December 13, 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
December 10, 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
December 5, 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
November 19, 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
November 5, 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
March 20, 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
March 18, 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!”