Martin D. Gould is a Founding Partner at Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley (SGGH), who has dedicated his career to securing justice for individuals and classes of victims who have suffered from personal injuries, wrongful death, medical malpractice, mass torts, and sexual abuse and assaults.
Martin has devoted a significant portion of his practice to helping survivors of rape, sexual assault, and childhood sexual abuse find justice, financial compensation, and closure through the legal system. Prior to co-founding SGGH, Martin served as a Partner at a prominent national personal injury law firm based in Chicago, where he led and managed the firm’s Sexual Abuse Practice Group.
Currently, Martin co-leads SGGH’s Sexual Abuse Practice Group. He and his team have represented and continue to represent hundreds of survivors of rape, sexual assault, and childhood sexual abuse including in many of the highest profile abuse cases across the country. These cases include claims against institutions such as the Boy Scouts of America, the Boys & Girls Club, University of Michigan (Dr. Robert Anderson), Michigan State University (Dr. Larry Nasser), professional sports teams, Jeffrey Epstein, private and public schools, elite private boarding schools, orphanages, foster care programs, hospitals, mental health facilities, Fortune 500 companies, and numerous religious institutions and related entities (ranging from the Catholic Church, religious orders and the YMCA, to Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormon Church, SBC, and the Royal Rangers Youth Organization). Martin has obtained significant financial recoveries for survivors, including a recent $21.3 million settlement on behalf of a minor who was sexually abused at a hotel, which was the largest reported settlement for a sexual abuse case in Ohio and one of the largest settlements in the country for an individual survivor.
Throughout his career, Martin has played a key role in securing numerous record-breaking multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured clients and their families. Some notable examples include a $44.7 million verdict against the City of Chicago in a case where an off-duty police officer shot a construction worker in the head leaving him paralyzed (this was the largest verdict in Illinois and one of the largest in the country for a police misconduct case); $21.337 million verdict for the family of a mother of five children killed in a car accident with a municipal vehicle; a $14 million settlement for a temp worker who had multiple fingers amputated while operating a metal fabrication machine which lacked critical safety guarding; a $12.35 million settlement in a medical malpractice case involving the misdiagnosis of breast cancer resulting in a mother’s premature death (the largest recorded settlement in Illinois for a misdiagnosis of breast cancer case); and an $8 million settlement in a medical malpractice case involving the delayed diagnosis and treatment of a spinal cord compression.
In addition to securing financial recoveries, Martin and the SGGH team have actively fought for changes in policy, training, and the law to better protect future generations. For example, as part of a recent $21.3 million settlement in a hotel abuse case, Martin and his client successfully secured policy and training changes for thousands of hotels aimed at improving hotel pre-employment screening and safety for hotel guests and employees nationwide.
While Martin’s zealous advocacy and creative litigation strategies have led to multi-million-dollar resolutions, he recognizes that each client’s story, trauma, and healing process are unique. Martin strives to provide compassionate, attentive, and personalized representation for every client.
In 2023, Martin conducted an extensive investigation that exposed the systemic sexual and physical abuse of children at The Lord’s Ranch, a Christian-based residential religious camp and therapeutic facility in Warm Springs, Arkansas. As co-lead counsel in the investigation and lawsuits against The Lord’s Ranch entities, their owners, and staff, Martin represents over 45 former residents who endured horrific abuse as children while residing at the facility. The camp, which took in children ranging from 7-17 years of age from across the country, became a haven for predators who preyed upon vulnerable children. Martin’s press conference and subsequent lawsuits shed light on the horrors of The Lord’s Ranch, leading dozens of survivors and witnesses to come forward and join the fight for justice. This case has garnered national media attention, with over 100 media outlets reporting on the lawsuits.
Martin’s dedication to seeking justice extends beyond this landmark case. He understands the lasting impact of child abuse and has taken on school bullying and hazing cases, even when other law firms have been reluctant due to legal hurdles. In one notable case, Martin secured a $250,000 verdict in a school bullying case involving an autistic boy, marking the largest bullying verdict ever reported in Illinois.
Martin has regularly appeared in national and local media including radio and television to comment on his cases or other important legal matters. Martin and his cases have been featured by The New York Times, Washington Post, Associated Press, U.S. News & World Report, The Guardian, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, BuzzFeed, PEOPLE Magazine, The Legal Broadcasting Network, NBC News (Channel 5), Fox 32, ABC 7 Eyewitness News, and WGN.
Martin’s commitment to excellence is evident in his academic achievements. He graduated cum laude from Chicago-Kent College of Law, where he was a published member of the Chicago-Kent Law Review. He was also a Legal Writing Teaching Assistant, and received the CALI Award six times for achieving the highest grade in various legal subjects. Martin’s leadership extends to numerous legal organizations, including the American Association for Justice, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, and the Chicago Bar Association, where he serves as Chair of the 7,000 member YLS. He is also actively involved with Child USA, a nonprofit think tank dedicated to ending child abuse and neglect, and the National Crime Victims Bar Association, an organization dedicated to helping victims of crimes seek justice through the civil court system.
Martin’s dedication to justice is rooted in his passion for helping others. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Northwestern University, where he was a four-year member of the Northwestern Varsity Wrestling Team. The team placed 4th in the NCAAs Martin’s sophomore year. Martin’s commitment to fighting for the rights of survivors and his relentless pursuit of justice make him an invaluable asset to our firm and the clients we serve.
Professional Organizations
- National Crime Victims Bar Association (NCVBA)
Advisory Board Member, October 2022-Present
Clergy Abuse Committee, November 2020-Present
Child Sexual Abuse Section, November 2020-Present
Young Lawyer’s Council, November 2020-October 2022 - Chicago Bar Association (CBA)
Chair of the 7,000-member YLS, June 2023 – Present
Chair of Torts Litigation Committee, June 2017- June 2022
Second Vice Chair, YLS, June 2021 – June 2022
Judge, Moot Court Competition, November 18, 2021
Members Services Manager, YLS, June 2020 – June 2021
Project Coordinator, YLS, June 2018 – June 2020
Legislative Liaison, October 2017-June 2018 - American Association for Justice (AAJ)
Sexual Abuse Litigation Group, 2021-Present
Professional Negligence Section, 2020-Present - Child USA
Junior Council Board Member, April 2022-present - Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA)
Chair of YLD, June 2018 – Present
Board Member of YLD, June 2015-June 2018 - Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA)
Civil Practice & Procedure Section Council, 2020-2021 - Decalogue Society of Lawyers
Board of Managers, June 2016-June 2022
Co-Chair of Young Lawyers Division, 2015-2021 - Chicago Kent College of Law
Board Member of Young Alumni Board, 2015-2020
Publications, Speaking Engagements & Legal Presentations
Speaker, Preparing for Jury Trials v. Bench Trials, American Bar Association (ABA), June 22, 2023.
Speaker, “Establishing Liability and Damages in Child Sexual Abuse cases,” National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVBA) Annual Conference (St. Louis, Missouri), October 8, 2022.
Speaker, “The Basics of Motions to Dismiss,” Chicago Bar Association, September 28, 2022.
Speaker, “Winning with Experts in Sexual Abuse Cases involving Children, Adults and the Elderly: PTSD, Repressed Memory, and Competency and Credibility issues,” Law 360 Damages Seminar: Go Big or Go Home (Las Vegas, Nevada), August 29, 2022.
Speaker, “Civil Justice Seminar and Training for Crime Victim Advocates” (audience: prosecutors, law enforcement, social workers, victim assistance coordinators, and other professionals supporting survivors of crime and abuse), National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVBA), July 28, 2022.
Moderator, “Litigating in the Age of Covid: the Expert Perspective on Medical Malpractice, Work Accident, and Mass Torts Cases,” Chicago Bar Association, March 24, 2021.
Moderator, “Resolutions to Reform the Chicago Police Department: the Differences Between CPAC and GAPA,” Chicago Bar Association, September 8, 2020.
Speaker, “Tips for Building Business Relationships in the Legal Field,” Chicago Bar Association, Fall 2023.
Moderator, “S. Senator Dick Durbin: The Justice in Policing Act of 2020,” Chicago Bar Association, July 17, 2020.
Panelist, “Mid-Michigan Dam Failure Disaster: Legal Landscape,” Town Hall (Midland County, Michigan), June 4, 2020.
Speaker, “Know Your Options Small Business Webinar: Business Interruption Insurance Claims,” Chambers of Commerce for Evanston, Skokie, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, and the Greater Wheeling Area (Illinois), May 28, 2020.
Speaker, “Know Your Options Small Business Forum: Insurance Claims for Lost Revenue, Government Loans and Grants, and other Legal Options in the Face of Coronavirus,” City of Chicago (25th Ward), May 7, 2020.
Moderator, “Litigating the High Stakes Medical Malpractice Case,” Chicago Bar Association, March 12, 2020.
Speaker, Using Digital Evidence at Trial, Illinois State Bar Association, March 11, 2020.
Speaker, “Working Up the Hospital Apparent Agency Case: A Fight Worth Fighting,” Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA), February 21, 2020.
Speaker, “An injured worker comes to your office. What do you do? Key pointers to litigating the Worker’s Comp Third-Party Crossover Case,” Chicago Bar Association, December 18, 2019.
Moderator, Chicago’s “Top 40 Attorneys Under 40” Practice Tips, Chicago Bar Association, June 19, 2019.
Speaker, “Key Takeaways from High-Speed Police Chase Verdict,” American Association for Justice (AAJ), June 5, 2019.
Moderator, “Maximizing and Attacking Damages in Personal Injury Actions,” Chicago Bar Association, March 14, 2019.
Speaker, “Medical Malpractice of Non-Employee Doctors: Establishing Agency for Hospital Liability,” CLE, Chicago Bar Association, May 29, 2018.
Speaker, “Anatomy of a $44.7 Million Police Misconduct Verdict,” NPAP – National Lawyers Guild, January 11, 2018.
Speaker, “Obtaining and Using Social Media Evidence at Trial,” Continuing Legal Education, Illinois State Bar Association, November 17, 2017.
Speaker, “Use of Social Media Evidence in Civil and Criminal cases,” CLE, Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission (ARDC), May 3, 2017.
Speaker, “Section 1983: Litigating and Vetting Police Misconduct Cases,” CLE, Chicago Bar Association, February 23, 2017.
Speaker, “Evaluating Bullying/Hazing and Police Misconduct Cases,” A Litigation CLE, R&B, LLC, February 21, 2017.
Speaker, “ Martin Luther King Forum: Civil Rights and the Chicago Police Department,” A Professional Responsibilities CLE Event, Chicago-Kent College of Law, January 21, 2016.
Speaker, “Introduction to Personal Injury Law,” Chicago-Kent College of Law, October 20, 2015.
Contributor, “Legal Aspects of Malaysia Flight 370,” Chicago Bar Association, April 17, 2014.
PUBLICATIONS
Illinois Bar Journal, Obtaining Social Media Evidence Through Discovery, December 2017.
Illinois Bar Journal, Social Media Evidence & Ethical Considerations, September 2017.
Illinois Bar Journal, The Admissibility of Social Media Evidence in Illinois, January 2017.
Decalogue Tablets, “Close to Home: Your Unfriendly, Neighborhood Carcinogen” (Sterigenics-Ethylene Oxide Exposure Cases), Summer 2019.
Trial Journal, “School Bullying Cases: Holding School Districts and Officials Accountable in Illinois,” Winter 2018.
Media Appearances & Interviews
Press Conference regarding The Lord’s Ranch lawsuits, covered by the Washington Post, The Guardian, U.S. News & World Report, AP News, NBC affiliate KARK, Arkansas Times, Little Rock Public Radio, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, KATV (ABC 7), Daily Mail, November 6, 2023.
PEOPLE Magazine, “Lawsuit Alleges ‘Systematic’ Abuse at Youth Treatment Facility Run by Man Commuted by Former President Trump,” Interview with Senior Crime Writer Emily Palmer, published November 13, 2023.
Arkansas Times, “Lawsuit alleges decades of sexual abuse at former youth facility run by Huckabee associate Ted Suhl,” Interview with Managing Editor Benjamin Hardy, November 6, 2023.
KARK (NBC affiliate in Little Rock, AR), “Lawsuit filed against The Lord’s Ranch youth facility in central Arkansas, claiming staff member sexually abused its children,” published by Jessica Ranck, November 7, 2023.
Washington Post, “Lawsuit alleges ‘widespread’ abuse at shuttered youth facility operated by man commuted by Trump,” published by Andrew Demillo, November 7, 2023.
The New York Times, “How 2 Industries Stymied Justice for Young Lead Paint Victims,” Story by Ellen Grabler, March 29, 2022.
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, “$12.35 million settlement for the estate of a 37-year-old woman who died after a late breast cancer diagnosis,” February 11, 2020.
Gerst, Ellen, “[$4.5 Million] Settlement reached for Illinois trucker hit on I-80,” Casper Star Tribune (Wyoming), September 19, 2022.
Chicago Tribune, “Archdiocese of Chicago reaches $2.1 million settlement in lawsuit claiming 7-year-old girl abused at church camp,” Story by Javonte Anderson, April 21, 2020.
S. News & World Report, “Chicago Archdiocese Settles Suit in 2015 Abuse of 7-Year-Old,” Story by Associated Press team, April 21, 2020.
Fox 32 Chicago, “Chicago Archdiocese to pay $1.75M settlement to woman who says she was abused by priest in 1980s,” Interview with Adam Zielinski, August 5, 2022.
The Washington Post / AP, “Chicago Archdiocese settles sexual abuse suit for $880,000,” Interview with Don Babwin, June 23, 2021.
Chicago Sun-Times, “$880K settlement in abuse case involving ex-Southwest Side priest,” Interview with Sam Keller, June 23, 2021.
WSBT 22, “Local mother’s lawsuit claims lead paint gave son permanent brain damage,” Report by Max Lewis, November 3, 2020.
Press Conference with South Bend Tribune and ABC 7, “Civil Lawsuit Details Lead Poisoning and Brain Damage of Chicago Toddler and Exposure to Pregnant Mother and Infant by HomeWorks Corporation in South Bend, Indiana,” November 2, 2020.
Fox 32 Chicago, “Sterigenics Pollution Gets Attention of Illinois Lawmakers,” Interview on Morning News, February 21, 2019.
Burr Ridge Patch, “Willowbrook Families Retain Law Firm After Report of Cancer Risk,” Press Conference with Andrea Earnest, September 1, 2018.
ABC 7 Eyewitness News, “Willowbrook residents rally, demand gas-emitting company shut down,” Interview with Cate Cauguiran, August 31, 2018.
Chicago Tribune, “$1.4 million settlement reached between Joliet Diocese, 3 men who allege priest sexually abused them in ‘80s,” Interview with Matthew Walberg, August 30, 2018.
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, “$1.4M settlement in suit over Joliet priest abuse,” September 5, 2018.
WGN News at 9 pm, “Jury awards family $250k after boy with autism beaten on school bus,” Interview with Tom Negovan, March 27, 2018.
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Interview with David Thomas, “Bullied student wins $250,000 in damages,” March 28, 2018.
WBEZ News, Interview with Chip Mitchell, “City Settles Suit in Incident That Put CPD Commander On Trial,” May 4, 2018.
ABC 7 Eyewitness News at 10 p.m., Special Investigative Report with John Garcia, “Man Speaks Out After Finding Camera Hidden In Smoke Detector In Bucktown Apartment,” January 22, 2015.
Legal Broadcasting Network Interview with Cecil Caulkins, “Lawsuit Challenges Chicago PD’s Stop and Frisk Policy; Attorney Martin Gould Explains,” April 29, 2015.
RT America Live Interview with Anya Parampil, “ACLU Win Over Chicago Police Department’s ‘Stop & Frisk’ [Policies] is Start of Police Reform,” August 18, 2015.
WGN News at 5 p.m., “Legality of President Trump ‘Sending in the Feds’ to Chicago,” Investigative Report with Ben Bradley, January 25, 2017.
BuzzFeed News, Interview with Reporter Tyler Kingdale, “A 19-Year-Old Killed Herself, and the Family Says Her School Could’ve Saved Her,” February 4, 2017.
The Chadron Record, Interview with Record Editor Kerri Rempp, “Parents hope [Title IX wrongful death] lawsuit [against University] helps others,” February 7, 2017.
Chicago Sun-Times, Interview with Marni Pyke, “Despite Subpoena, Key Video Erased in Metra Station Beating,” November 19, 2017.
NBC News (Channel 5), Interview with Dick Johnson, “Man Beaten, Pepper Sprayed by Metra Cops Gets $250K from Rail Agency,” December 12, 2017.
Daily Herald, Interview with Marni Pyke, “Metra settles for $225,000 in beating case,” December 21, 2017.