Richmond, VA, Oct. 10, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Williams Mullen has announced the retirement of The Honorable Ralph L. “Bill” Axselle, Jr. He is retiring to spend more time with his wife, his children and his grandchildren. Mr. Axselle’s illustrious career began nearly 50 years ago upon his graduation from the University of Richmond School of Law. He represented Henrico County in Virginia’s House of Delegates from 1974 to 1990 and joined Williams Mullen shortly after leaving the legislature.
For the last 28 years, Mr. Axselle has been a leader in Williams Mullen’s Government Relations group as it developed into one of the state’s premier lobbying practices. In addition to his lobbying experience, Mr. Axselle was a highly recognized real estate and land use attorney. Best Lawyers® named him the Government Relations "Lawyer of the Year" in Richmond twice (2011, 2015) and Richmond’s Land Use & Zoning Law "Lawyer of the Year" three times (2012, 2016, 2018). In 2014, Mr. Axselle was honored as one of Virginia Lawyers Weekly's Leaders in the Law.
“What Bill has meant to Williams Mullen cannot be overstated,” President and CEO Woody Fowler said. “Bill is among the most talented lawyers and lobbyists our state has ever seen. He has set the standard for how a lawyer and lobbyist should behave and perform. We should all strive to live up to that standard.”
With Mr. Axselle’s departure, Williams Mullen’s Government Relations group will be chaired by Reginald N. “Reggie” Jones, who himself has been named the Best Lawyers Government Relations “Lawyer of the Year” in Richmond three times (2013, 2016 and 2018).
In addition to Jones, Ken Hutcheson, Patrick Cushing, Katie Payne, Nicole Pugar and Jessica Bowman are full-time Virginia lobbyists who help clients navigate the legislative and political process. In April, Williams Mullen announced that former Virginia Delegate Dave Albo will also join the group, effective Jan. 1, 2018.
“It has been a distinct honor and pleasure to have worked alongside Bill for the past 25 years in developing a government relations practice at Williams Mullen,” Jones said. “Bill’s intellect, knowledge of the legislative process and his integrity have been hallmarks of our approach to serving our clients in matters before the General Assembly and agencies of state government. He will be sorely missed on a personal and professional basis as he begins his well-deserved retirement.”
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