David A. Martin donated his papers to the Law Library in January of 1998.

The papers of David A. Martin (24 boxes, 10 linear ft.) document his work as an international law and immigration lawyer and as professor of International Law at the University of Virginia Law School. They consist of twenty-four grey boxes (10 linear feet), organized in alphabetical order.

This addition reflects, almost entirely, Martin's work with the Immigration and Naturalization Service with the development of new asylum reforms during the Clinton administration. There are numerous proposals, reports, drafts, research studies, correspondence, notes, memos and other important documents. Martin believed that with "…a well-designed system capable of resolving cases on the merits within six months, there would be less of a felt need to turn to devices that keep people away from our shore…." (National Journal, 8/7/93, p. 1979) and that the U. S. asylum system could be controlled.

The Administrative Conference of the United States (ACUS) Migrant Project papers consist of proposals, reports, research materials, and Martin's personal notes on migrants health, education, job training, etc. There are also some Farmworkers Conference, Council on Foreign Relations and International Law Association Refugee Committee documents.

This addition of working papers (9 boxes) was donated to Special Collections by Professor Martin in March of 2001.

This collection, an addendum to the papers of David A. Martin, was received in June of 2015. It is comprised of 36 boxes (14.4 linear ft.) and conveys the breadth of Martin's career as professor of law, researcher, author, and public servant. The files are grouped in four categories: General (Boxes 1-20); Casebooks and Published Articles (Boxes 20-22); Law School Files and Teaching Notes and Materials (Boxes 22-29) and Asylum and Immigration Research (Boxes 29-36). The files include papers regarding his search for employment as a law professor, his research and work on the casebook he co-authored, Immigration and Citizenship: Process and Policy, his memberships and work with the American Society of International Law and the American Bar Association, and numerous articles, books, and chapters of books authored by Martin. The scope of papers in the collection include memoranda, personal notes, drafts, correspondence, research, and proposals. The collection also includes his notes and outlines for classes he taught in Constitutional Law, International Human Rights, Property Law, and Refugee Law. In addition, the files include memoranda, correspondence for his work with the Nobel Peace Laureates Conference at the University of Virginia and the seminar he created to correspond with the conference. There are documents that relate to the Virginia 2020 Agenda for the Third Century an initiative from UVA president John Casteen to internationalize the University of Virginia.i These files contain proposals, personal notes, research, correspondence, and memoranda regarding his Sesquicentennial Associateship, his work with Administrative Conference of the United States, and attendance at numerous conferences and meetings. A notation by Martin on one of his student's papers for his Nobel Peace Laureate seminar summarizes his philosophy for being a lawyer, professor, and author: "Lawyers need to develop a passion for getting all the details right."

These papers were transferred to the archives in June of 2015

This addition of professional files were organized in five groups, and retained the original organization found in two file cabinets.

Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS): files from Martin's tenure as General Counsel (1994-1996). These files comprise the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act 1996; asylum procedures and reform, refugees; Detention and Deportation program; Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigration Responsibility Act of 1996; naturalization. Also, some cases and internal administrative files and suggestions for reorganization.

Professional files: relate to his work as an expert in asylum, refugee and immigration law. Includes files re American Society of International Law, International Rescue Committee, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

University of Virginia School of Law files (1989-2015): teaching materials, class notes, examinations, charts and notes of his lectures in Citizenship and Membership, Constitutional Law, Immigration Law, Seminar on Ethical Values, International Law, International Human Rights, Refugee Law. Also some files on Law School committees and projects.

Writing Projects: notes, drafts related to publication of books, articles and op-ed pieces.

Events: these files relate to the numerous invitations and international conferences where he participated.

These papers were transferred to the archives in June of 2017.