Traci Martinez

Traci Martinez

Columbus office managing partner, global board member, Squire Patton Boggs LLP

Traci Martinez Tim Johnson | Columbus CEO

About: Martinez has been with Squire Patton Boggs, where she is a civil litigation and labor and employment lawyer, since 2008. She serves as vice chair of the firm’s Advancing Women’s Task Force. The former elementary school teacher holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, Latin American studies from the University of Notre Dame, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Houston and a law degree from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Martinez lives with her significant other, Heath Wagner. She has two children, Briana and Mateo, and a dog named Elle.

We have a responsibility to recognize that some of the influx of tax dollars related to that growth needs to be invested in social programs that will help our most vulnerable community members to tackle issues like a shortage of low-income housing and infant mortality.

Outside of work: A champion of empowering diverse lawyers, Martinez has taken leadership roles with the Hispanic National Bar Association, the Moritz College of Law and the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity. She also is a member of the Ohio Women’s Bar Association.

What does Columbus need to thrive? Most importantly, working together to continue business growth—such as what we’ve witnessed with the expansion of the Hilton Hotel—will attract more visitors and, in turn, create more job opportunities.

By the same token, we have a responsibility to recognize that some of the influx of tax dollars related to that population and business growth needs to be invested in social programs that will help our most vulnerable community members to tackle issues like a shortage of low-income housing and infant mortality.

Martinez’s idea: I believe that the mental health issues due to limited interaction with teachers, coaches and friends, especially within the Columbus City high school students who will be attending school completely remote, are going to be serious. I would love to develop a program that can connect high school students with community resources—mentors, social workers, perhaps a dedicated place to Zoom call in—that they can utilize during this year of virtual learning.

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