John William "Jack" Martin Jr., vice president and general counsel for the Ford Motor Co., was elected to the DePaul University Board of Trustees by the Members of the Corporation. Martin and four other new trustees were announced at the board’s May 21 meeting.

Martin, who is a DePaul College of Law graduate, has held the top legal position at Ford since 1989.

A true example of DePaul’s mission of service, Martin is involved in numerous activities to make quality legal services more accessible to people who need them most. In 1985, he founded Ford’s pro bono program through which Ford lawyers provide free legal aid, primarily to senior citizens. In the early 1990s he involved Ford in the recruitment efforts of the American Bar Association’s Litigation Assistance Partnership Project, which makes the resources of private law firms available to legal aid lawyers on a pro bono basis.

"With such a strong commitment to service and excellence, Jack is a natural for DePaul’s Board of Trustees," said Edward A. Brennan, board chairman. "I am confident that he will bring to our board the same zest and energy he taps to ensure that all people have access to the best legal services available."

Martin earned both a bachelor’s degree and a law degree from DePaul. The university recognized his service to the business community in 1997 when it awarded Martin the Law Alumni Service Award. A resident of Ann Arbor, Mich., Martin is married to Joanne Cross. They have two children.

Also joining the board are: Mary Dempsey, a DePaul law school alumna and commissioner of the Chicago Public Libraries; Susan S. Moody, executive vice president of corporate banking at First Chicago NBD Corp.; the Rev. Charles F. Shelby, C.M., a DePaul liberal arts graduate and director of the Association of the Miraculous Medal in Perryville, Mo.; and Errol L. Stone, a Chicago attorney.