---
title: "John S. Martin | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-s-martin-va-lancaster-circuit-court"
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updated: "2026-08-02"
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# John S. Martin

Lancaster Circuit Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Lancaster Circuit Court
- State: Virginia
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, District Court, S.D. New York, 1990-2003
- John S. Martin Jr. is a retired American judge who served on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York from 1990 until his retirement in 2003
- U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, 1980-1983
- Assistant to the solicitor general, U.S. Department of Justice, 1967-1969
- Assistant U.S. attorney, Southern District of New York, 1962-1966
- Law clerk, Hon. Leonard P. Moore, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, 1961-1962
- Law clerk: Hon. Leonard P. Moore, 2nd Cir
- Total service: 13 years as a district judge

### Education

- Columbia Law School — LL.B. (1961)
- Manhattan College — B.A. (1957)

### Additional information

- Senior status: May 31, 2003; retired September 30, 2003.
- During his tenure, Martin presided over 3,796 district court cases (1974–2003), with a caseload including contract disputes, civil rights, personal injury, labor/ERISA, intellectual property, and other matters.
- Computer Outsourcing Services (1994), Van Brunt v.
- New York City Housing Auth. (1993).
- Rauschenberg (1992), National Railroad Passenger Corp. v.
- Appointed: January 24, 1990, by President George H. W. Bush to replace Edward Weinfeld.
- Commissioned: April 6, 1990.
- Confirmed: April 5, 1990, by the U.S. Senate (voice vote).
- Private practice: Nyack, NY (1966–1967) and New York City (1969–1980, 1983–1990).
- Born May 31, 1935, Brooklyn, NY.
- Date of birth: 1935-01-01
- All 18 appellate reviews of his decisions were affirmed.
- His most cited opinion is Sudul v.
- Notable cases: Sudul v.
- Birth place: Brooklyn, NY

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### cell phones and electronic devices

Scope: statewide

Virginia courts commonly restrict cell phones and other electronic devices in court buildings; counsel and litigants should check the local court policy before arrival.

Evidence excerpt: Most courts in Virginia do not allow you to bring a cell phone or other electronic device into the building.

[Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy](https://selfhelp.vacourts.gov/node/30/cell-phone-electronic-device-policy)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.vacourts.gov/static/directories/judges_rule115.pdf)
- [Official roster](https://www.vacourts.gov/static/directories/judges_rule115.pdf)
- [Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia official judicial roster](https://www.vacourts.gov/static/directories/judges_rule115.pdf)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/2063/john-s-martin-jr/)
- [Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy](https://selfhelp.vacourts.gov/node/30/cell-phone-electronic-device-policy)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/2063/john-s-martin-jr/)

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