Longtime Henning attorney to begin Legacy Mediation 

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

As he sits behind his desk on a cool December afternoon, Richard Bosse leans back in his chair in an otherwise empty office. He has been practicing law for nearly 50 years, but the long time attorney is getting ready for the next chapter of his life. 

Bosse is trading the high stress, but oftentimes rewarding life in a courtroom, for semi-retirement and time to help residents across the state in a difference capacity as a mediator. 

With a law career spanning nearly 50 years, several states and even a chance to have a case reviewed by the Supreme Court, Bosse has plenty to smile about as he reflects on his time in the courtroom. From the high profile cases to the ones involving private family matters, his career has touched on a wide variety of topics. 

“I fell in love with it and it has been a very rewarding career,” said Bosse.

Bosse received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1969 and his Juris Doctor degree from Case Western Reserve University. He also received several other special trainings and certifications like trial advocacy from Oxford University in England in 1983; as well as advanced trial advocacy, NITA from Hofstra University in New York. 

When he began as a clerk in the courtroom, Bosse said he never really knew a lawyer, but quickly fell in love with the profession. He began his practice in Florida in 1972 and has been in law ever since. 

“I really enjoyed the intellectual pursuit…and helping people in what was usually their biggest non medical crisis in their life,” said Bosse.

One memorable case involved an employee in Boca Raton, Flor. who had a proprietary interest in his employment, which was part of a Supreme Court case. Bosse said being a part of a case that went to the steps of the Supreme Court was an exciting endeavor.

“It was exciting. Any case is exciting,” he said. 

While he may not have always agreed with their verdict, Bosse said he was most proud of the fact that every jury he had seemed to apply good common sense before returning a decision. Even if that meant the jury returned a verdict that wasn’t in his favor. 

“I don’t think I ever had a case where the jury went array,” he said. 

This isn’t the first time Bosse retired from the courtroom. In the early 1990s he retired from practicing law in Florida and fell in love with the lakes and way of life of Otter Tail County. Originally from the Cincinnati, Ohio area, he rented a cabin on Lake Blanche and moved to the area.

“I fell in love with the lakes up here and decided this is where I wanted to be,” he said. 

While he retired from practicing law full-time, Bosse quickly became bored and opened a law firm in Henning.

“I got bored and decided I wanted to get back into it,” he said. 

He opened his local law practice in Henning in 1994 and quickly found a love of helping people get through some of their most serious life issues. He has also enjoyed helping local families and residents to address things like land issues that arise over time, including estate and farm land. He also really enjoyed malpractice cases as they have been especially rewarding as Bosse tried to help people out in a very difficult situation in their life.

As he winds down his law practice, Bosse said he is looking forward to the chance to spend more time with his family, grandchildren and spend some time outdoors. In addition to the countless hours preparing for a trial, many of Bosse’s cases went into a second week far away from home. 

“I’m happy where I am. I am happy with what has been given to me, but I am happy to be able to go play tennis, cross country skiing…spending time with family and grandkids,” he said. 

In addition to high profiled court cases, Bosse enjoyed estate law and planning for the future. 

The decisions made before and after death have an important impact on land and family trust issues for generations to come. There are a number of options available to help make the transition for a family’s legacy live on without leaving surviving family members searching for answers, while morning the loss of a loved one.

“We have come to find out most people think they have a will and they can stay out of court and that’s not the case,” he said. 

One thing he is really looking forward to in retirement is starting a new business centered on mediation. 

Bosse is in the process of opening Legacy Mediation. The new business is also certified by the Supreme Court for mediation. With an extensive background in the courtroom, the longtime lawyer can bring a unique perspective to mediation cases as both sides try to work out their differences before entering the unknown world of the courtroom. 

For more information about Legacy Mediation, contact Bosse at rebearcat@gmail.com or by phone at (218) 579-0891. The office will be located in Ottertail, but Bosse will be able to travel to meet the needs of clients across the region.