Robin Martin

A third candidate has filed to run for Park County clerk of the district court. Robin “Yager” Martin of Cody made it official on May 26. She will run against Debra Carroll and Logan Christie in the Aug. 16, 2022, primary. All three candidates are Republicans.

The clerk of the district court position is being vacated by Patra Lindenthal, who recently announced she would not seek another term for the elected office.

“I decided to run because Patra is retiring, and I thought it would be beneficial to have someone who has a legal background,” said Martin, a paralegal with Stinson Law Group in Cody.

Martin, 39, earned an A.S. degree in Paralegal Studies from a Florida college accredited by the American Bar Association. She recently returned to Stinson Law Group after working for the Park County attorney’s office from 2016-2021. Prior to that, she worked at Stinson from 2013-2016.

“I miss working with the general public,” Martin said of her decision to run for clerk of district court.

She cited her experience working with all aspects of the law as credentials for the elected position.

“I’ve been pretty lucky in my career to be involved in a little bit of everything,” said Martin, who has nearly two decades of applicable experience. “I have 19 years as either a legal assistant or a paralegal. I see the whole picture.”

Martin said streamlining the process at the Park County district court is a key feature of her campaign. Efficiency is one of her strengths, she said, pointing to her work in the private and public sectors. This gives Martin an edge in helping legal novices understand paperwork requirements without offering them legal consultation.

“The biggest thing I’ve seen is it’s hard not having someone who understands the legalese — someone to explain it to people, someone who can answer a question a little bit quicker — the rules, regulations and procedures, without giving legal advice,” Martin said.

Her experience in a private law office and perspective on public legal requirements would be an asset to Park County residents, who don’t always understand the details of the law, she said.

“I think it would be a little more beneficial, having someone in there who has been on the other side,” Martin said.

Although some people are intimidated by the law, Martin finds it fascinating and enjoyable.

“The thing I love most is that you never stop learning,” said Martin, who is married to a fellow Park County native and has two children, ages 12 and 9.

“I was born and raised in Cody,” said Martin, whose bio lists camping, fishing, wake surfing and “beautiful lakes” as recreational activities she and her family enjoy most about living in the area.

Martin said she decided it was time to bring her legal experience back to the county in a way that would benefit the community at large.

“It wasn’t really something I’d been planning for a long time,” she said. “I just thought it was good timing to take the leap.”