Rafael F. Muilenburg ("Raf") grew up on and around St. John (Cruz Bay, Lovango Cay, East End, Coral Bay), much of the time living on and off sailboats. Raf attended Guy Benjamin School and JESS Junior High School on St. John as a child, was homeschooled during sailing voyages, attended high school at All Saints on St. Thomas, then went on to receive his BA from Dartmouth College and his JD from Harvard Law School. Raf then practiced law for 12 years with two major law firms in San Diego, California, focusing on real estate, finance, land use and environmental law.
Raf moved back to St. John in 2009 with his family (wife and two daughters) to be closer to his parents (Peter and Dorothy Muilenburg, previous owners of S.V. “Breath” in Coral Bay), and to finally be able to live full time on the island, in the community that has always been his home. Raf handles matters primarily in real estate, probate, corporate / entity formation, contracts, finance, land use / environmental law, litigation, as well as divorce / family law and trusts and estates. Raf is also fluent in Spanish and has worked extensively with Latin American transactions and clients. Raf now lives in Palm Beach Gardens, FL with his wife, Thia Muilenburg, and their daughters, Missy and Allegra, and returns to St. John to meet with clients and enjoy his beloved island with friends each month for 7 - 10 days. Raf co-founded the St. John Land Conservancy in 2011 and has served as President of the Board and other roles. He is an avid windsurfer, biker, swimmer, and runner; he also plays the bass and guitar, occasionally singing at open-mics on St. John. The family's favorite pastime is playing music together, and they've performed together at the several open-mics around the island. Education • J.D., Harvard Law School, 1997, cum laude • B.A., Dartmouth College, 1993, cum laude (History / Russian) Past Experience • Morrisette & Muilenburg, LLP, 2009 - 2020 (St. John, VI) - Co-Founder & Managing Partner • Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton, 2002-2009 (San Diego, CA) – Partner, Real Estate / Land Use / Environmental Law • Latham & Watkins, 1997-2002 (San Diego, CA) – Associate, Project Finance and Real Estate For more information about Rafael F. Muilenburg, you are welcome to read his resume. Raf can be reached at rafstjohn@gmail.com. |