Law School Mourns the Passing of William E. “Bill” Mullin ’58
William E. “Bill” Mullin ’58, a prominent Twin Cities family law practitioner, longtime activist with Minnesota’s Democratic party, and dedicated benefactor of the Law School, passed away March 10 after a 10-year battle with the motor disorder apraxia. He was 83.
A lifelong Minnesotan, Mullin grew up in Minneapolis and starred in track as a high school student. After earning his undergraduate and law degrees at the University, he served in the offices of both the U.S. and Minnesota attorneys general. He established his own law firm in 1964 and practiced there until 1978, when he joined Minneapolis-based Maslon as a partner, remaining there for the rest of his career. As an attorney, Mullin was admired for his depth of knowledge, integrity, sense of humor, and commitment to service. He was a board member of the Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis and a volunteer at the Children’s Law Center; he also served as president of the Minnesota chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and as chair of the Committee on Family Law. Among the many honors he received during his career was the Professionalism and Civility Award from the Hennepin County Bar Association.
Mullin became involved with Minnesota DFL politics from an early age, and over the years he raised substantial sums for the state’s Democratic candidates. In 1968 he took a break from practicing law to work on Sen. Hubert Humphrey’s presidential campaign. In more recent years, he was a strong supporter of President Barack Obama. He attended Obama’s inauguration in 2008.
“I was very close to Bill for 30 years—he was a star in my office when I was a young attorney general,” former Vice President Walter Mondale ’56 told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “I believe he was the most respected family lawyer in Minneapolis. He was a wonderful Minnesotan.”
Mullin is survived by his wife, Chouhei Min Mullin, his daughter, Elizabeth, three grandchildren, and three siblings; his son, Eddie, passed away three years ago. Services were held March 16.
