Judge Dena A. Martin: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Hon. Dena A. Martin is a judge for the Greene County Superior Court in Indiana. She was elected to the bench in 2008, becoming the first woman to be elected judge in the county.

Prior to her election, Martin served as chairperson of the Criminal Justice Program and the acting chairperson of the Paralegal Program at Ivy Tech Community College. Before that, she operated a general law practice in Worthington, where she represented clients in family law, criminal law, real estate, estate planning, probate, and guardianship matters. Martin also represented the Owen County Office of Family and Children in cases of child abuse and neglect and was available to the Greene County Office of Family and Children on an as-needed basis. In addition, she was a contract part-time public defender in Greene County.

Martin received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Indiana University Bloomington. She went on to complete a J.D. at Indiana University School of Law. While a law student, she clerked for the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office. Martin was admitted to practice in Indiana in 1999.

Her memberships include the Greene County Bar Association. Martin also sat on the Ivy Tech Faculty Senate, the Indiana Ivy Tech Criminal Justice Curriculum Committee, the Ivy Tech Paralegal Curriculum Committee, and the Ivy Tech Statewide Distance Education Course Development Committee.

From a civic standpoint, she has been involved with the Greene County Foundation Board, the Greene County Relay for Life team, and the Ivy Tech March of Dimes team.

Martin and her husband, Dean, have two daughters. A Greene County native, she attended Worthington-Jefferson High School, where she was senior class president and the valedictorian.

She is registered as a Republican.