Our Team

 John Martin IV

Founder and President

After eight years in “big law,” John founded Treebank Legal to deliver legal services more effectively. John grew up in South Carolina and enlisted in the Army after high school to join the Ranger Regiment.  

After serving three years with the Rangers, John earned a Mechanical Engineering degree from Clemson University. He joined a family business, Mar-Mac Wire, and spent nearly ten years implementing process improvements and managing various aspects of the business.   

John’s time in the family business gave him a deep understanding of navigating family dynamics while running a business. He understands that transferring ownership and leadership responsibilities from one generation to the next is a complicated process. As a “quarterback” for a transition team, he can ensure that the business and family needs are adequately addressed by applying the right resources to each situation.   

In legal practice, John has been part of over 300 transactions ranging from $200,000 to $1.5 billion in enterprise value in multiple industries. He has represented clients on the buy-side and sell-side of transactions and clients across the country. He has broad experience in business acquisitions as well as general commercial contracts.  

In his spare time, John and his wife spend most of their time chasing three young boys between sports activities. He and his boys love camping, hunting, fishing, and mountain biking.

Emily Martin
Office Manager

Emily holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Appalachian State University. She began her profession in the classroom and then transferred her passion for education into a career in higher education publishing sales. Emily dedicated several years to improving student outcomes and classroom learning. 

Emily is no stranger to family businesses; John is her brother-in-law. Emily’s husband, Jamie, is also part of a third-generation family business in South Carolina. She understands the importance of a good foundation, succession planning, and a commitment to preserving family values.  

Emily enjoys spending time with her husband and son. You can often find her cheering on her son on the soccer sidelines. She is also passionate about health and fitness and loves exercising while listening to a favorite podcast.

Cody Rankin
JD: Paralegal

Cody graduated from Clemson University magna cum laude with a double major in Political Science and Psychology. Following Clemson, she attended Charleston School of Law, where she was a research assistant, and held an internship focusing on family law. After graduation, she became an associate attorney at a Greenville, South Carolina, boutique firm, focusing primarily on personal injury and medical malpractice. 

After relocating to Atlanta for her husband’s job, Cody shifted her focus to raising her family. For the past several years, she has been a stay-at-home mom while enjoying volunteering and being an active member of the PTA. When her youngest started elementary school, the opportunity to join Treebank Legal aligned with her family’s values, and she jumped at the chance to join the team.  

Cody is an avid runner and recently achieved a lifelong goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. When she is not running or baking, Cody loves spending time outdoors or on the lake with her husband, two sons, and their Boykin Spaniel.

Morgan Weatherly, PhD, LPC
Office Manager

Morgan holds a Doctorate of Philosophy from Auburn University and is a Licensed Professional Counselor with specific training in Family Systems and a strong research base in workplace dynamics. Morgan draws on her experience as a therapist and an academic, as well as her experience working in several family businesses. These opportunities allowed her to better understand how family dynamics can promote and prevent business growth. For more information about her counseling practice, visit morganweatherly.com.   

When out of office, she enjoys spending time with her husband, three children, and dog, Ruby. Morgan claims she is a marginal but avid tennis player and is also learning to play golf.