Rafael E. “Ralph” Martinez received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida in 1973, and his Juris Doctorate degree from Florida State University in 1976. Mr. Martinez was admitted to practice in Florida by the Florida Supreme Court in 1977; he is a member of the Fifth, Eleventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals; U.S. Middle District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, and was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1981. Mr. Martinez maintains an A.V. Martindale-Hubbell rating.In 2003, Mr. Martinez was nominated by the President of the United States to serve as a public delegate, representing the United States before the United Nations 57th General Assembly. On May 23, 2003, he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and served as a public delegate for that term.
On May 28, 2008, Mr. Martinez was sworn in as a part-time Commissioner of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission. He was nominated for the position by President Bush on February 7, 2008, and confirmed by the Senate on May 20, 2008.
Mr. Martinez is active in Bar-related organizations having served as a member of the Ninth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission (1990-1994; Commission Chair, 1993-1994); Fifth District Court of Appeals Judicial Nominating Commission (1995-1999); Orange County Bar Association, Professionalism Committee Chairman (1999-2000), Judicial Relations Committee Chairman (1997-1998); American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) Central Florida Chapter (1996-Present; President, 2004); International Association of Defense Counsel, Products Liability Committee (1996-Present), Pharmaceutical Medical Device and Biotechnology Committee (1996-Present), Medical Defense Committee Chair (2000-2001); Faculty, IADC Trial Academy, Stanford University (2004); Board of Directors of the Health Law Section of the Florida Bar (1992-1997); Inter-American Bar Association (1979-Present); Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.
Mr. Martinez is also active in our community, having served as Chairman of the Metropolitan YMCA for Central Florida (1992-1994; CNL Bank Board of Directors (2002-2017); SunTrust South Orlando Administrative Board Chairman (1988-2000); Orlando Regional Healthcare Foundation Board of Directors (1989-2018).
Mr. Martinez currently serves on the Metropolitan Board of the YMCA and the Board of the Florida Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriters Insurance Association.
Mr. Martinez was the recipient of the Orange County Bar Association William Trickel, Jr Professionalism Award in 2014.
Mr. Martinez is fluent in Spanish.
