Name: Martha J. Rossiter
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Position: Legal Director
For nearly 20 years, Martha Rossiter has been a practicing attorney, litigating jury trials in more than 100 criminal and civil cases in both state and federal courts.
She began her legal career with the Kern County Public Defender’s Office in Bakersfield, Calif., where she defended the Constitutional rights of people facing criminal charges. She later litigated civil rights cases involving law enforcement agencies in Southern California before joining the Pennington County Public Defender’s Office in Rapid City in 2017.
Today, as the legal director for the ACLU of North Dakota, Martha leads the chapter’s litigation program and engages in legal advocacy to advance the civil rights and civil liberties for people in the state.
“I consider myself a protector. I consider myself an individual who is willing to do all that I can and give all that I have for the protection of others,” she said. “I believe that through that commitment I have directly affected people’s lives for the better. I intend to continue to stand in protection of my community and Constitution.”
But Martha’s not all work and no play.
She’s the mom of a vibrant 10-year-old daughter, and an actress and singer. “I enjoy being on stage and entertaining others, especially in musical theater productions.” She loves working up a sweat – she’s a reformer pilates enthusiast. And she spends as much time outside as she can in the spring and summer because that’s when she gets the “chance to grow food and dig in the dirt with my three dogs and funny bunny.”
When it comes to fighting the good fight for civil liberties, after all, that work-life balance has never been more important!
When did you first hear about the ACLU and why is the work appealing to you?
I have always known about the ACLU. My parents participated in the civil rights movement starting in the 1950s and have always shared current and past stories about the work accomplished by organizations that stood up for the little guy and fought the good fight. That’s why this work, at this moment in time, is so compelling to me. My mom fought for women’s healthcare, so when the Dobbs decision came down, I felt the weight of what was happening around us and saw the rights and protections we were losing each passing day.
The ACLU has represented the fight against tyranny and fascism for more than a century. How could I pass up the opportunity to impact the people around me by working with one of the best and longest standing civil rights organizations?
Which of the ACLU’s issue areas are you particularly passionate about and why?
Voting and immigrants’ rights. Voting because without protecting it, we have no hope of ending the reign of the oligarchy. Immigration because the abuse being served upon our black and brown community members is reprehensible and I would argue, criminal.
What is your favorite way to get involved in your community?
Favorite way? Through theater. Second favorite, through my daughter’s school.
What does advocacy mean to you?
Fighting the fights. Stepping up to the plate in the face of injustice and tyranny. Not letting others feel belittled or stripped of their God-given right to live freely, love freely, and exist without government intrusion or mandate. Advocacy means having the courage to not only take on the fight being fought but pick the fights so that the underrepresented and unheard are not forgotten within our communities.
How do you plan on using the work you do at the ACLU to advance civil rights and civil liberties for all North Dakotans?
I plan on using our ACLU advocates – our direct connection to the people – to help determine the legal issues affecting our community. I then intend to do what it takes to impact the harm they are or have been suffering, which may mean anything from community outreach to formal litigation.
Do you have any advice for someone who might be interested in getting more politically involved in their community?
My advice: Do it! The only way we evolve is through continued education and participation in our community issues and solutions. If you don’t sit at the table, you don’t get to eat.
Which of the Constitution’s amendments are most important to you and why?
I believe the United States Constitution is the most important legal document in the world, created by men aware of the oppression that was and could again take over the lives of the people. I admire the Fourth Amendment, but it means so much less without the Fourteenth. But how can you choose when other amendments give women the right to vote or find cruel and unusual punishment perverse? So I have no favorite amendment, but rather, I have a respect for the interpretation of a document founded on the principle that we are all equal under the law and should be treated as such.
What are you most looking forward to as a new member of the team?
Fighting the good fight with other passionate, committed individuals.