Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham joins the law firm of Huie Fernambucq & Stewart in mourning the passing of Eugene "De" Martenson, a beloved and well-respected figure in the legal community as well as a dedicated volunteer for VLB clients during his career.
Martenson practiced law at Huie for more than 50 years, with a focus in the areas of automotive litigation, product liability, fraud, mass tort, class action, and catastrophic injury claims. He took more than 250 jury trials to verdict in cases around the country.
Martenson was also passionate giving back through pro bono work, including serving as a regular volunteer for VLB. He worked tirelessly on behalf of clients at risk of eviction or dealing with poor living conditions and a range of other civil legal problems. In 2014, his dedication to serving those who could not otherwise afford an attorney was recognized by the Alabama Access to Justice Commission, which honored him for his dedication to pro bono work.
Martenson was a member of the Alabama State Bar, Birmingham Bar Association and Alabama Defense Lawyers Association, among other organizations. He was also a member of the invitation-only International Association of Defense Counsel and American Board of Trial Advocates. In 2019, he was a recipient of the 2019 Birmingham Business Journal Best of the Bar award.
Beyond his law practice, Martenson was known for his active and adventurous life, from running the Chicago Marathon to climbing Machu Picchu and Mount Kilimanjaro. He also loved coaching youth sports and being outside on his farm.
Donations can be made in Martenson’s honor to the following organizations: Dawson Baptist Church (Chapel Choir Scholarship Fund), the Jimmie Hale Mission, and Cornerstone Schools of Alabama.
