My Story:
Edward “Mr. Not Guilty” Martell
Trial Attorney | Not Guilty Law, PLLC
Edward Martell, Esq., is a dynamic, accomplished, and respected trial attorney with Detroit based law firm Not Guilty Law, PLLC. Martell practices throughout the State of Michigan with a primary focus on Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Washtenaw counties. He has a proven track record of success in state and federal courts and is widely recognized for his aggressive style of representation which has earned him the title, “Mr. Not Guilty.”
His extraordinary journey from defendant to attorney is a powerful testament to redemption, perseverance, faith, and the life-changing impact of second chances. Raised by a single mother in low-income housing, Martell succumbed to the temptations of the street at an early age and found himself intertwined in the criminal justice system.
After dropping out of high school and accumulating a criminal record, he reached a defining moment in 2005 when he appeared before Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Bruce Morrow for felony drug distribution, facing a maximum term of 20 years in prison. Judge Morrow recognized Martell’s intelligence and potential, and as an alternative to incarceration, issued Martell a challenge: “Be a CEO of a Fortune 500 Company”, instead of continuing down the path of destruction.
Martell accepted that challenge and began the difficult process of rebuilding his life. He earned his GED, completed an associate degree at Wayne County Community College, and received a full academic scholarship to the University of Detroit Mercy. There he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Thereafter, Martell continued to chase his dreams, attending the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law where he earned his Juris Doctor.
A Journey of Purpose and Advocacy
His path into the legal profession required more than completing law school and passing the bar examination. Because of his past, Martell underwent an extensive character-and-fitness review, submitting more than 1,200 pages of documentation and appearing for a lengthy hearing to demonstrate his rehabilitation, integrity, and fitness to practice law. After receiving a favorable recommendation and passing the Michigan Bar Examination, Martell was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan on May 14, 2021. In a full-circle moment, Judge Morrow administered Martell's oath of admission in the same courtroom where he had once stood as a defendant.
Today, Attorney Edward Martell uses his personal experience and legal education to advocate vigorously for those facing some of the most challenging moments of their lives. As a trial attorney with Not Guilty Law, he brings legal knowledge, courtroom experience, compassion, and a firsthand understanding of the criminal justice system to every client he represents.
Martell's nationally recognized story has been featured by the American Bar Association, CNN, FOX, The Washington Post, and many other media outlets. More importantly, his life demonstrates that a person's past does not have to determine their future. Through his work, mentorship, and commitment to justice, Attorney Edward Martell continues to pay forward the opportunity once extended to him while inspiring others to transform their pain into purpose.
