William O. Bongard - Press

Valley Voices: Local lawyer considered among the state's best

By Kris Janisch

In the courtroom, William Bongard has had to worry about injunctions, bifurcation and writs of mandate.

At his May Township home, it's black bears that can cause concern.

"They can be a little scary when you're not expecting it," Bongard said.

The 53-year-old was recently nominated as Attorney of the Year by Minnesota Lawyer, a legal publication. The recognition, he said, stems from a case in Anoka involving a group of teenagers whose vehicle was struck by a train.

There was a dispute over whether the teens, all of whom died in the incident, had driven around the traffic arms that come down when a train approaches. Railroad company officials said they did, but the electronic records for the traffic arms somehow disappeared. Bongard called the court case a "tough battle." The jury awarded the families of the teenagers $24 million. The case is under appeal.

The youngest of five children, Bongard said he grew up in many different places - his father was in the U.S. Foreign Service. His siblings all went to school in Minnesota, and he wound up attending St. Olaf College, initially studying economics and urban planning. It was during a project researching the rights of striking workers in Chicago when the he was first intrigued by the power of the law.

"It really makes a big impact on people's lives," said Bongard, an attorney with Sieben, Grose, Von Holtum & Carey who was also selected as one of the Minnesota State Bar Association's 15 Attorneys of the Year in 2008.

Away from the courtroom, Bongard and is wife spend much of their time with their three dogs and four miniature horses on their May Township hobby farm.

"We never show the horses or anything like that, but they're a lot of fun," said Bongard, who lived in Grant for 11 years before moving to the township six years ago.

Otherwise, he often enjoys the typical Midwestern pleasures of trips to the cabin or pheasant hunting. But in the past few years he has taken up scuba diving, sometimes in nearby Square Lake.

"Don't ask me why I waited so long," Bongard said.

One of his more notable scuba adventures was diving at the wreck of the steamship Hesper, which submerged in Lake Superior in 1905.

"Ohhhh, it's a cold lake," Bongard said.

Who has been the greatest influence on your life?

My parents, for sure. My mother is very active - she's 90 and she does tai chi every day. They set a high standard for all of us.

What type of books do you read?

I'm an avid reader. I like fiction, mystery, detective stuff. Lately I've been reading international mystery novels. I'm a regular at Barnes & Noble and the library.

What kind of music do you like?

I enjoy every kind of music, but I'm a product of the '70s. So I'd say rock and roll and the blues. (St. Paul Chamber Orchestra) if you twist my arm.

What's your favorite thing about the St. Croix Valley?

It's beautiful. It's got everything you could possibly want - the terrain, boating, wildlife.

What's one thing you would change about the St. Croix Valley?

I suppose I would try and cut down on the traffic.

What's the secret to life?

Don't you have to go to the top of a tall mountain and talk to an old guy with a long beard for that? (laughs, pauses) Faith, hope, patience and love.