Judge Daniel E. Martin, Jr., is a native of Charleston. He attended public and parochial schools on the Charleston peninsula and is a graduate of Howard University and the University of South Carolina School of Law. On February 2, 2011, he was elected to seat no. 1 of the South Carolina Family Court, Ninth Judicial Circuit.

Judge Martin is a life-long member of Emanuel AME Church where he served on the Board of Trustees. He is the former president of the South Carolina Conference of Family Court Judges (SCCFCJ) and currently serves on the Family Court Advisory Committee. He formerly served as the treasurer for the South Carolina Black Lawyers Association. He is also a member of the James L. Pettigru chapter of the Inns of Court. Judge Martin is the 2023 recipient of the Buchan, Brown and Jacobs award given by the SCCFCJ.

Judge Martin is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is also a member of Nehemiah Masonic Lodge No. 51., George Washington Carver Consistory No. 162, and Arabian Shrine Temple No. 139. Judge Martin is a 33° Prince Hall Mason. Before joining the bench, he served as Grand Legal Advisor for the Grand Lodge of the State of South Carolina. He currently serves on the Boards of Directors of the South Carolina Aquarium, Coastal Carolina Boy Scouts, Avery Institute of Afro American History and Culture and Charleston Pro Bono. On February 2, 2022, Judge Martin was re-elected to another 6 year term on the Family Court. He is married and is the proud father of two children, both of whom are HBCU graduates.