Frank Murn

Frank Murn is of counsel to the firm. He focuses his practice on real estate, corporate law and estate planning. He founded the law firm that became Murn & Martin, S.C., which merged with Axley in 2012.

Mr. Murn emigrated to the U.S. from Slovenia at age 8, just prior to World War II, leaving behind a tiny, primitive village where plumbing and electricity were unknown. He and his mother made their way to West Allis, where his father – who dug ditches when he first arrived on American soil – had found work in a factory. The family became part of a rich tapestry of hard-working immigrants pursuing the American Dream in Wisconsin.

As a boy, Mr. Murn thrived in his new country, with its agreeable mix of high expectations and rich opportunities for anyone willing to work hard. He put himself through college at Marquette University by working as a clothing salesman and building houses and apartments in West Allis, and ultimately graduated from Marquette University Law School in 1953, 17 years after setting foot on American soil.

Mr. Murn established his law practice in West Allis, doing a little bit of everything for a diverse group of immigrant clients. His personal experience as an immigrant gave him a unique understanding of the challenges his clients faced, and his business acumen and negotiation skills continue to make him a trusted advisor. His clients often paid him in shares of their companies, and over the years he has owned businesses as diverse as a new car dealership, a tile manufacturer and furniture stores.

After marrying and raising four children, Mr. Murn formed a law partnership with his son, Donald Murn. The elder Mr. Murn stepped away from full-time law practice in 1981 to focus on organizing the New Berlin Municipal Court, where he presided from 1981-2001.

Today, Mr. Murn divides his time between Wisconsin and Florida. He is an avid art collector and serves on the Board of Directors of the Fine Art Society of the Milwaukee Art Museum. He also is active in the work of the Haggerty Museum of Art at Marquette University. He still works on his Wisconsin tree farm, which he planted on reclaimed cornfields, and enjoys the prairie and wetlands he restored with his family. He also loves to travel, hunt, fish and play the accordion. He is a founding member of the Badger Button Box Diatonic Accordion Club.