Prior to attending law school, Martin Cirkiel worked as a social worker. While studying to receive his Masters, he interned at the Travis State School. Upon graduation, he worked at the Brenham State School. Both positions were working with severely and profoundly retarded individuals, mostly children, and their families. He became certified to take part in diagnostic evaluations ("D&E" evaluations).

In late 1984 Martin went over to the mental health side and became the Director of the Williamson County Mental Health Center, which was then part of Community Services Department of the Austin State Hospital (the predecessor of Bluebonnet Trails MHMR). He still maintains his Social Work Licensure as an Advanced Practitioner.

Upon earning his law degree, he was hired by the Quality & Assurance Division of the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, investigating patient rights violations in private psychiatric facilities. Working closely with the Attorney General’s Office, and later the U.S. Department of Justice, he assisted in the successful litigation of health care fraud claims and deceptive trade practices against various private providers.

After a brief stint with the Texas Department of Health, he became General Counsel for Charter Medical Corporation.

In 1995 Martin began to work in private practice, working with attorneys across the entire State of Texas, in successful litigation of patient rights violations in various in-patient and out-patient mental health facilities.

Since that time the members of Cirkiel & Associates, P.C. continue to provide a general practice with significant services to persons with disabilities in all environs; special education, guardianships, estate planning and special need trusts, a criminal practice limited to persons with disabilities; Americans With Disability Act issues and general civil litigation and negligence.