Of Counsel

Martin D. Gould

Glendale, CA

Licensed in 2 States

About Martin

Martin D. Gould is a trial attorney representing individuals and classes of victims in wrongful death, toxic exposure, medical malpractice, auto and trucking accidents, construction and other workplace accidents, product defect, and sexual abuse cases across the country. Martin has played a key role in securing numerous record-breaking multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of clients who have been harmed as a result of wrongful conduct. In 2017, Martin played a key role in securing a $44.7 million verdict at trial 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. In 2019, Martin and his team secured a $21.337 million verdict at trial on behalf of the family of a mother of five young children who was killed in a car accident. Later that same year, Martin played a key role in securing a $12.35 million settlement at the beginning of trial on behalf of the family of a young mother of three children in a medical malpractice case; the settlement was the largest recorded in Illinois for a misdiagnosis of breast cancer case. In addition to obtaining significant recoveries for his clients, Martin takes on many cases where he believes he can change policies or the law to protect future generations. In that regard, Martin has represented and currently represents dozens of survivors of rape and childhood sexual abuse in many of the highest profile abuse cases in the country. Some of those cases include claims against the Boy Scouts of America, the Boys & Girls Club, University of Michigan (abuse involving Dr. Robert Anderson), professional sports teams, the Estate of Jeffrey Epstein, private and public schools, elite private boarding schools, orphanages, foster care programs, hospitals, mental health facilities, Fortune 500 companies, and countless religious institutions and related entities (ranging from the Catholic Church, religious orders, and the YMCA, to Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormon Church, and the Royal Rangers Youth Organization). He has helped shed light on systemic abuse and cover-ups while securing millions of dollars in settlements on behalf of survivors, including a recent $2.1 million settlement on behalf of 7-year-old abused by a Church camp counselor. Understanding the lasting impact child abuse can have on someone, Martin has also taken on school bullying cases as well, securing a $250,000 verdict in a school bullying case in Woodford County, Illinois, the largest bullying verdict ever reported in Illinois. In helping manage a mass tort litigation practice, Martin currently represents hundreds of individuals whose homes were destroyed when after years of neglect, the Edenville and Sanford dams near Midland, Michigan failed, devastating the surrounding community. He also represents hundreds of individuals injured by consumption of and/or exposure to harmful products, including exposure to ethylene oxide emissions; RoundUp herbicide exposure; Johnson & Johnson talc baby powder; and individuals who took prescription and over-the-counter Zantac/ranitidine medication, which was recalled by the FDA due to defects in its design potentially leading to cancer. Martin regularly appears in the media to discuss cases, including appearances on Fox 32 and ABC 7 to discuss the toxic exposure involving Sterigenics, interviews with the Associated Press, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin to discuss clergy abuse lawsuits and settlements, and appearances on the Legal Broadcasting Network to discuss a federal class action lawsuit against a large municipality. Currently, Martin holds leadership positions within numerous legal organizations, including serving on the Advisory Board of the National Crime Victims Bar Association (NCVBA), with membership on NCVBA’s Clergy Abuse Committee and the Child Abuse Section. He is also on the Junior Board of Child USA, the leading national nonprofit fighting for the civil rights of children a fair legal system that allows survivors of child abuse to seek justice in the courts. He also holds leadership positions with the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and Chicago Bar Association (CBA), serving as the CBA’s Vice Chair of the YLS and former Chair of the Torts Litigation Committee. Martin graduated toward the top of his class from Chicago-Kent College of Law, cum laude, and was a published member of the Chicago-Kent Law Review. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Northwestern University, where he was also a four-year member of the Northwestern Varsity Wrestling Team. The team placed 4th in the NCAAs Martin’s sophomore year in 2007.