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Bernard has extensive experience restructuring both nonprofit and for-profit corporations. He is also very experienced in dealing with issues arising under both the Guaranteed Student Loan Program and the Direct Lending Program.
He first joined Briggs in 1956 and has practiced with the firm since that time with the exception of a five-year period when he left the firm to serve as general counsel for HEMAR Corporation. In this capacity, Bernard worked with a group of 15 corporations consisting of both for-profit and nonprofit organizations.
Prior to 1969, Bernard engaged in a wide variety of legal work, although most of his practice was in the area of municipal law, municipal bond law and litigation. From 1970 to 1985, his practice was exclusively in the municipal bond area, where he served as both bond counsel and underwriter's counsel. He has served as city attorney for Prior Lake, Minnesota and Falcon Heights, Minnesota; advisor to the Revisor of Statutes for the State of Minnesota and the Minnesota Municipal Finance Council; and bond counsel to many Minnesota municipalities, counties and a state agency. He was member and chairman of the Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority, and worked with the American Heart Association Minnesota affiliate for 10 years as general counsel and board member. Bernard also co-authored the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District Law which established the sewage district for the Duluth-Cloquet area.
Bernard is a member of the Ramsey County, Minnesota State and American Bar associations. He is also former president and board member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers. In his honor, the association established the Bernard P. Friel Medal which is awarded annually for distinguished service in public finance. In September 2000, Bernard was inducted as an honorary member of the American College of Bond Counsel in recognition of his preeminence, accomplishments and legal expertise in the field of bond law.
Bernard is admitted to practice in all Minnesota state and federal courts, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the U.S. Air Force. He is former president and board member of the Minnesota Club and formerly served as a member of the board of directors of the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Science Museum's Steering Committee of the St. Croix Watershed Research Station. Bernard served on the board and as president and treasurer of the North American Nature Photography Association and also served on the board of the North American Nature Photography Infinity Foundation. He served 12 years as a member of the Planning Commission of the City of Mendota Heights, Minnesota. He also serves on the boards for Higher Education and Recreation Services Corporation, HRS Education Services, Inc., and the Center for The Advancement of American Music. Bernard served as a member of the board of directors for HealthEast Foundation which provides financial support to the HealthEast hospitals and clinics.
Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, Bernard received his B.S. from the University of Minnesota and his law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School. Following law school, he served as a staff judge advocate in the U.S. Air Force. Bernard has served as co-chair of the firm's Litigation Section, chair of the Public Finance Section and on the firm’s board of directors. He rejoined Briggs in 1990.
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