Martin D. Burchfield

Martin D. Burchfield

Van Wert attorney Martin D. Burchfield is likely to remember Groundhog Day 2015 for a long time. He begins his service on the Van Wert County Common Pleas Court on Feb. 2, 2015, after his appointment by Gov. John R. Kasich on Friday. Burchfield replaces retiring Judge Charles D. Steele.

Burchfield received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Toledo and his law degree from the university’s college of law. Previous experience includes working for the law offices of Kennedy & Burchfield, Johnson & Burchfield, and Martin D. Burchfield Co. L.P.A. He has also served with the Van Wert County Prosecutor’s Office and as a public defender.

He has served in various capacities on the Van Wert City Council, including as president. He was a member of the Van Wert County Council on Aging and is also a member of the Van Wert Service Club and had served previously as its president.

Burchfield, who was admitted to the practice of law in Ohio on Nov. 12, 1986, must win in the November 2016 general election to retain the seat for the remainder of the unexpired term, which ends Dec. 31, 2018.