About James W.
James W. Martens trained in the Upper Midwest. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Concordia College–Moorhead and went on to receive his Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law. He remained in the region after school and built a practice rooted in local institutions and professional networks.
Early in his career Martens moved into roles that connected landowners, companies, and the courts. Over time he developed a working knowledge of the legal and practical issues that arise around land use, leases, and resource matters. He also took an interest in criminal defense work, joining peer groups that focus on advocacy in the criminal justice system.
Martens participates in a range of professional organizations. He is a member of the American Association of Professional Landmen and the Landman s Association of North Dakota. He belongs to the Dakota Petroleum Club. He also holds membership in the North Dakota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Outside legal groups, he is active in Pheasants Forever at the Magnum level.
Those affiliations reflect how he divides his time between transactional matters and courtroom work. He handles questions that arise when private property and commercial interests meet. He also represents clients on criminal charges, drawing on courtroom experience and local practice knowledge. Colleagues describe him as methodical in his preparation and straightforward in court.
Martens practices from Martens PLLC. He keeps an active presence in North Dakota legal circles and maintains memberships that span both land and criminal law communities. He mentors younger lawyers and often participates in local events tied to the energy and outdoor communities. His practice currently centers on land and energy issues and criminal defense.
