DBA Rising Star
Martin W. Gehres Esq. Assistant City Attorney for the City of Dayton “Dayton is my home and my first love.”
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f you’ve ever had the joy of meeting Martin “Marty” Gehres, then you’re familiar with his booming laugh, wide smile, and his love for the City of Dayton. Marty is a Daytonian in the truest sense of the word, having lived within the bounds of Dayton proper for twenty-six of his nearly thirty years. His only detour was to attend Ohio University for his undergraduate degree and a brief stop in Hamilton, Montana. While in Athens, he met his now wife, Julie Forman, an elementary school teacher who teaches English as a second language. The pair returned to Dayton following graduation where they reside today. Perhaps the only love more ingrained in Marty than the love of Dayton is his love of the law. Marty didn’t “discover” a love for the law as many of us did, but rather he was born into it. Marty’s mother, Virginia Platt-Gehres, and father, Judge Daniel Gehres, inspired Marty to become a lawyer. Virginia worked in various public service roles throughout her career, before ultimately serving and retiring from the Child Protection Unit for the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office. His father was elected to the Dayton Municipal Court in 1988, and Marty fondly remembers growing up in Judge Gehres’ toy filled chambers. Not only did his parents practice public service and the law, but they emphasized the importance of Catholic social services and giving back to those persons who are less fortunate than yourself. These values were instilled in Marty at a young age and, during his time at the University of Dayton School of Law (“UDSL”), he decided he would pursue a career in public service. Marty graduated cum laude from UDSL in 2017. Following his graduation, his former Evidence professor, the City Attorney, Barbara J. Doseck, approached Marty about applying for a position with the City of Dayton. Marty applied without hesitation because he knew he wanted to give back to the community that raised him. Marty speaks about his role at the City with love and genuine happiness. “Nearly every day at City Hall there is something new that surprises me,” he muses. Through the City, Marty has had the opportunity to prosecute housing cases, present neighborhood grievances to the Division of Liquor Control, draft press releases, argue before the Second District Court of Appeals, litigate personal injury claims, negotiate contracts, and develop policies concerning electric transportation devices. “Working for the City requires you to be a jack of all trades.” One of Marty’s favorite moments with the City was drafting legislation concerning the decriminalization of marijuana (which has been copied in Cincinnati, Columbus, and soon to be Cleveland) and speaking about such legislation on the news. While he would never brag on himself, it’s clear to anyone who has watched his interviews that he’s a natural presenter. He mentions another instance where he gave a presentation to a neighborhood association concerning the liquor licensing process. “Explaining the liquor [licensing] process and how vital it is for residents to assist the City in objecting to problematic locations was extremely fulfilling,” he says. Marty has also had a hand in shaping many of the projects revitalizing and rebuilding downtown Dayton. For him, seeing the project completed is only the start. His true reward comes with seeing our community enjoy a new facility or Photographed from top to bottom, left to right: event and knowing that he was able to help make it a reality. 1. Marty being interviewed Marty aims to utilize his education and his expertise to 2. Marty and Julie, his wife 3. Judge Daniel Gehres, Marty, and Virginia Platt-Gehres help residents see Dayton in the same light that he does. Dayton is no stranger to hardship. In the past year, at Marty’s swearing in. we suffered numerous tragedies which each alone could 4. Marty, Judge Daniel Gehres, Frank Gehres and Eddie have caused a larger city to falter. But, as Marty states, Gehres (his brothers and dad) “Daytonians are hard-working and resilient people. We are 5. Julie, Marty, and their pal Baker some of the most genuinely nice and welcoming people in continued on page 19 18
Dayton Bar Briefs February 2020
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