A Military Lawyer in the Making

Having just finished his second year at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, Lauriston Martin Jr. ’20 is looking toward a bright future.

“I give a lot of credit to the Marine Corps,” says Martin, who was commissioned last summer as a second lieutenant. “I enlisted when I was 17, and that changed my life.”

He also credits Northampton Community College (NCC), where he majored in criminal justice while serving in the Marine Corps Reserve.

“Balancing academics and military service taught me a strong work ethic,” he says. “I decided I wanted to be a lawyer when I was a student at NCC, and I knew I’d have to work hard to make that possible.”

Martin, who is working toward a career as a military lawyer, graduated from Easton Area High School in 2017. He hoped to study at a private, four-year college after graduation. Addressing financial concerns, Martin decided to join the Marines to help finance his education – a decision he has never regretted. He found his passion for the justice system while there.

“They always say in the Marines that you can do anything you put your mind to,” Martin says. “I know that’s a cliché, but I took it to heart. It’s worked out in my favor.”

After graduating from NCC with an associate degree in criminal justice in 2020, Martin transferred to Temple University to complete a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice degree while still serving in the Marine Corps Reserve. He graduated cum laude from Temple two years later.

“My experience at NCC prepared me well for Temple,” he says. “It was a pretty seamless transition.”

Martin particularly credits John Spirk and Vertel Martin, professors of criminal justice, who introduced him to different aspects of the criminal justice system.

“Professor Martin was a member of the NYPD and Professor Spirk is an attorney,” Martin says. “They were excellent mentors, and I learned so much from them. I realized at that point law school might be in my future.”

Martin’s six-year enlistment contract with the Marines was about to end as he was accepted and preparing to attend law school at Villanova, and he intended to leave the military behind.

“Once I got to law school, I realized how much I really liked the Marine Corps,” he says. “I decided to attend Officer Candidates School during the summer of 2023 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant.”

That decision, he explains, is reflective of his long-term goal of becoming a judge advocate and practicing law on active duty once he graduates from law school. Self-described as a quiet and reserved high school student, Martin has emerged as a strong and confident leader.

“There’s definitely been a big change,” he says. “A lot has happened in the last seven years, and I’ve definitely been able to grow from my experiences.”

Martin recently completed an internship with the Securities and Exchange Commission Division of Enforcement and is currently a clerk for Judge Megan Sullivan of the Pennsylvania Superior Courts in West Chester, Pa. He expects to graduate from law school in 2025.

Again, Martin credits NCC with preparing him to lead.

“The college equipped me with the skills and discipline that continue to fuel my success,” he says.