Robert A. Mullins
Of CounselRobert A. Mullins has been serving local and international clients throughout Georgia and the Southeast since commencing practice in 1991. Robert focuses on providing quality legal representation reflecting efficiency, experience, high standards and close working relationships with his clients. He is committed to representing his clients in the most cost-effective manner possible and utilizes his alternative dispute resolution training to minimize client expenses in contested matters.
Robert started his legal career with Hull Barrett in Augusta. Subsequently, Robert and Randy Hall, now the Honorable Judge J. Randal Hall of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, practiced together before joining Hunter Maclean. Several years later, Robert opened his own law firm focusing on complex litigation.
Over the years, Robert has developed an expansive practice based on the needs of his clients. He has successfully litigated cases in the areas of environmental law, real estate, business and corporate law, public contracts and construction, constitutional law, civil rights, government law, and intellectual property. He has argued cases in the appellate courts of Georgia and South Carolina, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. In addition to litigation, Robert’s experience allows him to counsel clients in avoiding disputes and alternative ways to resolve disputes when they occur.
Robert actively gives back to his community. He has served as president of numerous nonprofits such as the Greater Augusta Arts Council, the Richmond County Exchange Club, and Le Chat Noir, Inc., as well as serving of the board of the Augusta Player Business and Professional Alliance and Bath Gardens Foundation, Inc. He also served as the chairman of the Columbia County Greenspace Advisory Committee.
When he is not practicing law or serving his community, Robert is passionate about research and writing and has written several law review articles, as well as books on local history. He also enjoys getting his hands dirty planting his vegetable garden, which he has been doing since childhood.
Represented clients nationwide in a broad range of environmental law and regulatory matters, including counseling, administrative actions, audits, assessments, commercial transactions, insurance coverage, liability litigation, remediation and permitting of industrial solid waste facilities.
Defended international iron foundry/pump manufacturer (waste generator) in private landfill action alleging liability under CERCLA, Georgia’s Hazardous Site Response Act (“HSRA”), nuisance, negligence, and trespass.
Represented clients in numerous hazardous waste sites, successfully obtaining insurance coverage and reimbursement.
Represented operators of underground storage tank sites in Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, and South Carolina in state remediation and trust fund reimbursement proceedings.
Represented potentially responsible parties in Superfund actions including Aqua-Tech Site, Greer, South Carolina; Enterprise Recovery System's Site, Byhalia, Mississippi; Rouse Steel Drum Site, Jacksonville, Florida; Pickettville Road Landfill Site, Jacksonville, Florida; Florida Petroleum Reprocessors Site, Davie, Florida; and Alternate Energy Site, Augusta, Georgia.
Represented local businesses in litigation enjoining city’s unconstitutional procurement practices.
Successfully litigated trademark and copyright infringement actions involving restaurants, retail stores, business names, logo designs, cybersquatting, etc.
Litigated numerous claims against developers for defective construction design and related damages.
Represented clients in business matters including entity formation, commercial contracts, mergers & acquisitions, non-compete and non-disclosure agreements, license agreements, equipment leases, employment agreements and compensation agreements.
Represented clients in business controversies such as breach of contract, unfair competition, buy-outs, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, debt collection, employment discrimination and civil rights abuses.
Served as an expert witness in Atlanta Gas Light Co. v. Trinity Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, 231 Ga. App. 617 (1998) (testimony regarding the impact of the Georgia Hazardous Response Act and respective legal requirements for contaminated property).
- University of Oregon, J.D., 1991
- Emory University, M.A. Political Science, 1988
- Presbyterian College, B.S. Political Science, 1986
- Georgia Bar, 1991
- South Carolina Bar, 1991
- South Carolina Court of Appeals
- South Carolina Supreme Court
- Georgia Court of Appeals
- Georgia Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Georgia
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- Georgia Bar Association
- South Carolina Bar Association
- Sunshine Troublemaker of the Week #25, Sunshine Rev. Blog, May 29, 2008
- Pro Bono Honor Role, State Bar of Georgia, 2005
Articles
- Corruption in Municipal Procurement: Foreclosing Challenges of Disappointed Bidders – Augusta, Georgia and the Need for Reform. 42 Pub. Cont. L.J. 281 (2013).
- The Aftermath of Key Tronic Corporation: Implications for Attorney Fee Awards. 24 Envtl. L. 1513 (1994).
- The Recoverability of Attorney Fees as Response Costs under CERCLA. 3 S.C. Envtl. L.J. 1 (1993).
- Recent Case Law Shaping the Practice of Animal Law. In Inside the Minds: Recent Developments in Animal Law (pp. 109-120) (U. S.: Thomson Reuters/Aspatore 2015).
- Beau Jack: The Boxing Life of Sidney Walker, Two-Time Lightweight Champion (Jefferson: McFarland 2019).
- Augusta History Reader (Indiana: Xlibris 2021).
- 12 Monkeys & A Green Jacket (Indiana: Xlibris 2014).
Presentations & Speaking Engagements
- Georgia Philological Association, “Baby Trafficking Exposed in Augusta, Georgia” (2021).
- Georgia Association of Historians, “Sidney ‘Beau Jack’ Walker: A Black Boxer Paves the Route to Integration” (2021).
- Connections 5: 2017 A Critical Thinking Conference, “Paris Climate Accord versus U.S. Constitution: Avenues for Critical Thinking” (2017).
