Marty was raised in Sturgis and graduated from the South Dakota School of Mines with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering with honors. After receiving his law degree from the University of South Dakota, he served as a clerk for then-Chief Federal Judge Richard Battey. Marty joined the Rapid City law firm of Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson and Ashmore where he became a partner focusing on criminal law, civil law and complex business litigation and transactions. During this time, he also served as a special assistant attorney general prosecuting controlled substance felonies.In 2006, Marty was appointed and unanimously confirmed by the US Senate as US Attorney for South Dakota. He was the recipient of the Prosecutor of the Year for 2008 for outstanding prosecutorial service.From 2009 – 2019, Marty served as South Dakota’s Attorney General. In 2015, he served as Chairman of the National Association of Attorneys General and also as a past Chairman of the Western Attorneys General. In 2016, Marty received the National Attorney General of the Year award from his fellow Attorneys General. After serving 10 years as SD Attorney General, Marty returned to the Rapid City law firm of Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson and Ashmore as a senior partner opening up a Pierre branch office. He also served as State’s Attorney for both Jones and Haakon counties and as a Special Prosecutor for the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate during this time. Marty received the State’s Attorney’s Distinguished Service Award in 2019. In 2022 Marty was elected to serve a fourth term as South Dakota Attorney General. For the 2023-2024 year, he is serving as Chairman to the Attorney General Alliance.
Marty has two children, Michael who is studying Mechanical Engineering at South Dakota State University, and Isabella who is a junior at Pierre Riggs High School. Marty also enjoys spending family time at his farm at Vale, South Dakota.
