William Bohling: a lifetime of achievement.

• Author: McFadden, Josh

From the classroom to the bench and many other capacities in between, William Bohling has an impressive list of accomplishments in the legal profession.

For more than 40 years, Bohling has earned praise and respect as an educator, trial attorney and judge. Currently, the Salt Lake City-based legal giant spends his days as a highly successful mediator, focusing chiefly on intricate, high-conflict and multiparty commercial, tort and employment cases. It's a role he has excelled in since his retirement as a Utah Third District Court Judge in 2004.

"Being a mediator is a wonderful career," Bohling says. "It's the best way to solve problems. There is nothing that quite matches working a long day and helping people solve disputes and showing a willingness to put problems behind them."

He adds that being a mediator is a rewarding and satisfying way to complete his legal career.

Bohling fully understands the vital role attorneys fill in the legal profession. Upon earning his juris doctorate from the University of Utah in 1968, Bohling became a trial lawyer for the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division. Bohling then accepted an associate position with the firm Jones Waldo Holbrook & McDonough in 1971. He has 19 years of experience as a lawyer, including 16 years in private practice.

It was working as an attorney where Bohling learned some of his most enduring lessons.

"Lawyers are problem solvers," he says. "Being a lawyer gives you the ability to work with other sides. You gain great credibility and develop good relationships with everyone. You learn to cooperate with people:'

In fact, Bohling believes effective lawyers aren't flamboyant or crafty in their presentation. Instead, he stresses the necessity of being amicable and wise.

"I used to think the best lawyers were the most dazzling," he says. "What's most important is that lawyers exercise judgment and respect both sides to help bring others to solve problems."

Passionate about educating aspiring and future legal professionals, Bohling's laudable resume...