In pursuit of establishing a country law practice, he moved to Alice Springs in 1963 and, along with Ian Barker, was one of only two solicitors in the town at that time. Together they established the firm of Martin and Barker. He was to stay at Alice Springs until 1981. While there he was appointed to the Alice Springs Town Management Board and served there from 1968 - 1971. He also served terms as Alderman, Deputy Mayor and Mayor between 1972 and 1975. He was an inaugural member of the Northern Territory Law Society when it was formed in 1968 and was the Alice Springs representative from 1970 to 1977 and its Vice-President from 1972 - 1973.