Martina B. Sherman
Martina Sherman is a shareholder at DeBofsky Law where she represents individuals in ERISA and insurance benefit disputes. Ms. Sherman has experience in employment and Social Security law as well, which enables her to provide clients with a comprehensive approach to benefit problems. Ms. Sherman represents clients at all stages of litigation, from consultation and pre-suit appeal to the trial and appellate levels. She has extensive federal court experience and has argued successfully before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Ms. Sherman is a frequent speaker on employee benefits at national conferences of the American Bar Association (ABA), and she is a contributing author for the treatise, Employee Benefits Law, 4th Edition (BNA Books). She is a past co-chair of the “Liability Issues Unique to Welfare Plans” Sub-Committee of the ABA Employee Benefits Committee. In addition to her involvement in the ABA, Ms. Sherman is active in the Chicago Bar Association (CBA), having served as a chair of the CBA Young Lawyers Section Health & Hospital Law Committee and as a Legislative Liaison to the CBA Social Security Law Committee. In addition, she has written amicus briefs on behalf of United Policyholders in matters affecting consumers, including Montanile v. Bd. of Trustees of the Nat’l Elevator Indus. Health Benefit Plan, 136 S. Ct. 651 (2016) and Rochow v. Life Ins. Co. of N. Am., 780 F.3d 364 (6th Cir. 2015) (en banc). She has been named an Illinois Super Lawyer Rising Star every year since 2016.
Ms. Sherman is very active in civic and pro bono activities. She presently serves on the Diversity Committee of the ABA Employee Benefits Committee and volunteers with Equip for Equality, the protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities in Illinois. She also serves on the Pension Action Center Illinois Committee.
Practice Areas
Bar Admissions
- Illinois, 2011
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 2011
- U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 2011
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin, 2012
- U.S. Supreme Court, 2015
Education
- Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois
- J.D. cum laude – 2011
- Honors: Labor & Employment Law Certificate
- Law Review: Chicago-Kent Law Review, Notes & Comments Editor, 2010 – 2011
- Columbia College, Columbia University, New York, New York
- B.A. – 2005
- Major: Political Science
Testimonials
“Highly Recommend Martina Sherman”
Martina Sherman helped my sister with some major issues. She was extremely helpful and effective; also as important, she was comforting to my sister at a very stressful time in her life. HIGHLY RECOMMEND MARTINA !!
Ted, M
“Martina Went Above and Beyond”
DeBofsky Law has gone above and beyond to help my family with an LTC issue. Martina Sherman’s understanding of this complex situation has proven a huge benefit to my mother and all of us. Additionally, they’ve been patient with our family throughout this trying circumstance—they truly put people first and we are grateful for their help.
Matt M.
“Martina Sherman’s Dedication, Knowledge, and Professionalism Are Remarkable”
I worked with Martina Sherman who worked tirelessly for several months to bring my case to a satisfactory, fair resolution without going to court. It was the best outcome possible. I have such respect for Martina, her dedication, knowledge, and professionalism were remarkable. I can’t thank her enough.
Diane R.
“Martina Sherman and the DeBofsky Team Are Second to None!”/h3>
I have been so impressed by the caliber of support and expertise from Debofsky. In particular, Martina Sherman has been fantastic! Her guidance throughout my case has been outstanding. From guiding me to a successful resolution to advice in the years since…..she and Debofsky are second to none and when I most needed the help – they were there, took action and got it done. I can’t recommend them enough!
Matt, F.
Representative Cases
- Hennen v. Metro. Life Ins. Co., 904 F.3d 532 (7th Cir. 2018)
- Ritacco v. Ret. Bd. of the Mun. Emples.’, Officers’, & Officials’ Annuity & Benefit Fund, 2016 IL App (1st) 153262-U, P2, 2016 Ill. App. Unpub. LEXIS 1935 (Ill. App. Ct. 1st Dist. 2016)
- Alvarado v. Aetna Life Ins. Co., No. 14 CV 4717, 2016 WL 4678305 (N.D. Ill. Sept. 6, 2016)
- Fontaine v. Metro. Life Ins. Co., 800 F.3d 883 (7th Cir. 2015)
- Halley v. Aetna Life Ins. Co., 141 F.Supp.3d 855 (N.D. Ill. 2015)
- Hoyt v. Colvin, 553 Fed. Appx. 625 (7th Cir. 2014)
- Warner v. Unum Life Ins. Co., No. 12 C 02782, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 178765 (N.D. Ill. 2014)
- Grant v. Std. Ins. Co., No. 11 CV 6454, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 77940 (No. Dist. Ill. 2013)
- Borich v. Life Ins. Co. of N. Am., No. 12 C 734, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 59674 (No. Dist. Ill. 2013)
Honors & Awards
- Selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2016 – 2020
- Leading Lawyers, Emerging Lawyers, 2017 – 2019
Classes & Seminars
- “Benefit Claims,” Joint Committee on Employee Benefits ERISA Fiduciary Institute, American Bar Association, 2017 & 2019
- “Benefit Claims: Alternatives to Litigation,” Employee Benefits Committee Mid-Winter Meeting, American Bar Association, 2019
- “What Every Social Security Lawyer Should Know About LTD Claims,” Chicago Bar Association, 2018
- “ERISA Litigation Update,” Chicago Bar Association, 2018
- “Benefit Claims Update,” Employee Benefits Committee Mid-Winter Meeting, American Bar Association, 2015
- “Benefit Claims: Claims Review, Standard of Review, Discovery and Dispositive Motions,” National Institute on ERISA Litigation, American Bar Association, 2015
- “Benefit Claims: Administrative Procedures,” National Institute on ERISA Basics, American Bar Association, 2014
Published Work
- Long Term Disability Claims: A Primer for Social Security Attorneys, The Federal Lawyer, 2015
- SCOTUS Revisits ERISA Reimbursement in Montanile v. Board of Trustees of the National Elevator Industry Health Benefit Plan, American Bar Association Employee Benefits Committee Newsletter, Winter, 2015
- Sixth Circuit Determines that an Arbitrary and Capricious Denial of a Benefits Claim Cannot Support a Disgorgement of Profits Award under ERISA § 502(a)(3) , American Bar Association Employee Benefits Committee Newsletter, Summer 2015
- Sixth Circuit to Reconsider Whether the Denial of a Benefits Claim Can Support a Disgorgement of Profits Award under ERISA § 502(a)(3), American Bar Association Employee Benefits Committee Newsletter, Spring 2014
- Note, When a Door Closes, A Window Opens: Using Preemption to Challenge State Medicaid Cutbacks, 56 CHI.-KENT L. REV 925, 2011
Professional Organizations
- American Bar Association, 2011 – Present
- Chicago Bar Association, 2011 – Present
- Federal Bar Association, 2011 – Present
Past Employment
- Daley, DeBofsky & Bryant, P.C., Associate Attorney, 2011 – 2013
Pro Bono Activities
- Equip for Equality Young Professionals Board, 2015 – Present
- United Policyholders Amicus Contributor, 2012 – Present
