In Remembrance: Attorney Brian W. Mullins

February 19, 2018

Dear Axley Friends and Family,

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the loss of a member of our Axley Family, Attorney Brian Mullins. Brian was fighting renal cancer and passed on Saturday, February 17th.

Brian was – and still is – a very important part of our firm. He helped form Axley’s Construction Practice Group when he joined our firm in 2006.  His knowledge and expertise quickly catapulted our Construction Practice to one of the best in the state. He served as both an advocate, mediator, arbitrator, and educator in the construction field.

Brian participated in some of the largest projects in our state, including the Milwaukee Zoo Interchange, the development of some of Wisconsin’s largest manufacturing and distribution facilities, as well as countless construction projects. His influence can be seen all over Wisconsin, and will have a positive impact on generations to come.

No one loved the City of Madison and the Badgers more than Brian.  That’s why he had to buy a house two blocks from Camp Randall, which served as a staging ground for football day parking and parties. He used the parking proceeds to provide scholarship money to the University of Wisconsin Engineering School.

As an attorney, Brian practiced law at the highest level at all times, no matter the project.  On the last letter he ever wrote, he marked it up with the same enthusiasm that he had done every time before.  He would not sign his name to any document until it was perfect.  His advocacy was unsurpassed.  He practiced law with the same intensity he had as a wrestler in high school.

He was even more amazing as a husband, father, son, brother, and friend.  His wife, Pam, was the love of his life, and they were inseparable. Seeing Brian and Pam together brought joy to everyone around them. Brian had the same boundless love for his son and daughter, grandchildren, parents, and siblings.  He fought with everything he had to live to see the birth of his youngest granddaughter, Claire, who was born on Valentine’s Day.  Within minutes of learning of Claire’s birth, he was crafting what would be his last e-mail announcing this wonderful news.

While with Axley, Brian received a number of awards recognizing his skills as a lawyer.  He was not only a Best Lawyer and Super Lawyer recipient, but was also named Lawyer of the Year over six times in Construction/Real Estate. The UW Construction Club, in partnership with the University of Wisconsin – Madison Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Construction Engineering and Management Program, will honor Brian with its 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award. Brian’s wife, Pam, and his Axley colleagues will accept this award on his behalf in April.

Our hearts go out to Brian’s wife Pam, his children, the grandkids he loved more than anything, and the Mullins Family. They are forever a part of our Axley family.

Cranes on the Wisconsin skyline will always remind us that our partner Brian is still with us. Our time with him was too short, but his influence and legacy with Axley will live on.  We will endure this loss by following Brian’s example, reflecting on his amazing and lasting accomplishments, and always staying #MullinsStrong.

Sincerely,

Buck Sweeney
Axley’s Managing Partner

To view Brian’s obituary, please click here.