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Raymond W. Martin

Partner

P. 303.244.1863
"A leading light in labor and employment litigation."
—Chambers USA

Biography

Ray Martin continues to be recognized as one of Colorado’s premier employment litigators. Chambers USA has ranked Ray in Band 1 for Colorado Labor and Employment Litigation for 14 consecutive years.  In 2022 and 2018, The Best Lawyers in America named Ray the Colorado “Lawyer of the Year” for Labor and Employment Litigation. Ray routinely represents Fortune 500 and other sophisticated clients in whistleblower, discrimination, wrongful discharge, trade secret, non-compete and FLSA litigation across a range of highly regulated industries including aviation, telecommunications, and healthcare.

Ray is a zealous representative of his clients and takes pride in the open and interactive relationships he develops with both in-house counsel and the management teams whose decisions are challenged in litigation.

For 13 consecutive years, Chambers USA has ranked Ray in Band 1 in Colorado for Employment Litigation, which currently consists of the top three employment litigators in Colorado. In 2022, Chambers wrote, "Raymond Martin enjoys a distinguished reputation as an employment litigator, handling a broad spectrum of matters including discrimination and FLSA issues. A source says: 'Ray is a superb counselor, a known expert to judges and opponents, and a joy to work with. His enthusiastic defense coupled with deep mastery of all issues convinced us we'd chosen wisely.'"

Best Lawyers named Ray the 2022 Denver "Lawyer of the Year" for Litigation - Labor and Employment. The guide had previously named him the 2018 Denver "Lawyer of the Year" for Employment Law - Management. Only one lawyer in each practice area in each community is selected as a “Lawyer of the Year.” 

“I have met and worked with a small number [of attorneys] who are ‘the best of the best,' and Ray Martin is one of them,” a peer told Best Lawyers. “Ray is driven by the details and never misses a fact that impacts the case. He is relentless in his pursuit of the case and is a fearless advocate. He possesses a rare combination of tenacity and pragmatism. With his vast experience, he can cut through the issues to understand and properly value a case.” 

In 2016, the editorial board of Law Week Colorado named Ray the Barrister's Best Employment Lawyer for Defendants. Ray has twice been listed in the International Who's Who of Business Lawyers, which recognizes just four to five Colorado lawyers in its management labor and employment listing each year. He has also been recognized by the Denver Business Journal as one of the top three employment lawyers in Colorado based on voting by practicing attorneys in the state.

Ray is an elected Fellow of the Colorado Bar Foundation, an honor bestowed upon no more than five percent of Colorado lawyers for outstanding dedication to the welfare of the community, the traditions of the profession, and the maintenance and advancement of the objectives of the Colorado Bar Association.

Cases

Publications & Speaking Engagements

    Presentations

  • Presenter, "Misconceptions About Employment Arbitration," Labor and Employment Relations Association's Labor and Employment Conference, (September 22, 2011).
  • Presenter, "Emerging Trends and New Developments in Colorado Employment Law," Colorado Personnel Law Update 2003, (October 28, 2003).
  • Presenter, "Handling Workplace Violence: A Collaborative Approach to Protecting Your Organization From Liability and Your Employees From Harm," Colorado Personnel Law Update 2001, (June 20, 2001).
  • Presenter, "Terminating Employees on FMLA Leave: Protecting Your Business From Lawsuits and Sub-Standard Work Performance," FMLA Update 1999, (July 28, 1999).
  • Presenter, "Personal Liability for Workplace Lawsuits," Public Sector Employment, (April 1999).
  • Presenter, "Preventive Measures to Avoid Wrongful Discharge Claims," Disciplinary and Termination Law, (November 1998).
  • Presenter, "Terminating Poor-Performing Disabled Employees: Protecting Your Business From Lawsuits and Sub-Standard Performers," ADA Update, (May 12, 1998).

Articles

Other Experience

Freeborn & Peters

Legal Memberships, Activities, and Honors

Chambers USA
    Labor & Employment - Colorado, 2006-2024
          Ranked Band 1, 2010-2024
The Best Lawyers in America
    Denver Litigation - Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year, 2022
    Denver Employment Law - Management Lawyer of the Year, 2018
    Employment Law - Management, 2017-2025
    Labor & Employment Litigation, 2008-2025
Colorado Super Lawyers
    Employment Litigation: Defense, 2006-2023
    Top 100, 2013-2016, 2018-2020
Law Week Colorado
    2016 Barrister's Best Employment Lawyer for Defendants
    2023 People's Choice Employment Lawyer for Defendants 
International Who's Who of Management Labour & Employment Lawyers
    2010, 2012
Benchmark Litigation
    Labor & Employment Star, 2020-2025
    Local Litigation Star, 2020-2025
Best of the Bar, Denver Business Journal
    Labor & Employment, 2004, Top-Three Finalist
Martindale-Hubbell AV® Peer Review Rated
Colorado Defense Lawyers Association
Colorado Bar Foundation
    Fellow
Denver Bar Association
Colorado Bar Association
    Labor Law Committee
American Bar Association
The Faculty of Federal Advocates

Community Memberships, Activities, and Honors

Wheat Ridge United Methodist Church
     Former Trustee
Denver Post Charities
    Former Chief Legal Counsel (Pro Bono)

Teaching Positions

National Employment Law Institute
Counsel on Education in Management

Personal Interests

Golf

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