professional bio
Sophia Martinez earned her B.A. at UCLA and her law degree at the University of San Francisco School of Law. Immediately thereafter worked as a Deputy Public Defender for the Orange County Public Defender’s Office. Shortly thereafter she found workers' compensation and has never looked back.
Although always preparing as if a matter will go to trial, Ms. Martinez settles many claims at deposition. Her record includes take-nothing awards on continuous trauma claims of high exposure and numerous nuisance-value settlements. She has deposed many doctors, including internists, orthopedists and psychologists. She enjoys this aggressive tact and regularly obtains favorable testimony and reduces her clients' exposure. She takes a proactive approach on each case and is unafraid to be creative in finding ways to minimize exposure. Her many years of handling different types of workers' compensation cases allows her to think several steps ahead and handle each case with a lense unique to each case. She has collaborated with many SIU investigators with cases referred for workers' compensation fraud.
Sophia was a social worker for abused and neglected children before becoming an attorney.
A native of Seoul, Ms. Martinez lived in South Korea for twelve years. She is fluent in Korean, and she also speaks a little Russian and Spanish.
Outstanding Achievements
Outstanding Achievements (take nothing awards, fraud convictions, and petitions for credit/reimbursement)- November 13, 2024 – In re: Valentina Ulian Thomas
- May 18, 2022 – In re: Mary Wembley
- May 4, 2018 – In re: Irma Flores Ceja
- March 6, 2015 – In re: Janette Gutierrez
- May 18, 2014 – In re: Robert Comer
- August 24, 2011 – In re: Chang Ham
- August 2, 2011 – In re: Juan Lopez
Education & Memberships
2006 University of San Francisco School of Law (California)
Juris Doctorate
2000 University of California, Los Angeles
Bachelor of Arts (East Asian Studies)
2013 Certified Specialist, Workers Compensation Law
2007 State Bar of California
