Category: BGS in the Community
Honoring James H. Wills
July 30, 2026 | Carole Clark Isakson
Barna, Guzy & Steffen is sad to announce the passing of former MTA board member and highly respected transportation attorney James H. Wills on July 23, 2026. For more than 45 years, Jim practiced exclusively in the areas of transportation, taxation, and corporate law, most recently with the law firm of Barna, Guzy & Steffen Ltd. Prior to entering private practice Jim worked in management of and as general counsel for two major trucking companies. Jim was a CPA, chemist and attorney admitted to the patent bar. Not that he ever bragged about any of that, that wasn’t his style. Jim will be remembered not only for his brilliance, but for his kindness, sense of adventure, and love for his family. Jim and his wife Peggy are parents to two adult daughters and have a son-in-law and four grand kids of all ages. Jim was a hardworking and devoted attorney who rarely slowed down. When he did take time away from work, he found great enjoyment in golfing, fishing, hunting, skiing, traveling and competing in dog shows. Whether outdoors enjoying nature or spending time with family, Jim appreciated life’s simple pleasures. While Jim retired from Barna, Guzy & Steffen Ltd last year, and from the practice of law, his influence on the transportation…
Read MoreMississippi River Fishing in August is Unpredictable
August 15, 2025 | Scott M. Lepak2025 has been a strange year for fishing the Mississippi River in Minnesota. The water level has been unusually high in August, making it more challenging to find fish. The water this year is also unusually brown, with sediment from the frequent rain making the Big Muddy nickname a good fit this year even late in the fishing season. BGS fishing partners Bill Huefner and Scott Lepak added to the unpredictability by selecting a Saturday when rain was lurking to the south and a full moon was waiting to add chaos that evening. This was offset by the fact that the wildfire smoke was nonexistent for the day and Bill and Scott were coming off a lucky streak. Bill’s Friday attendance at the Lynx game produced a win and Scott’s attendance led to a win by the Twins. Adding to their optimism was their regular, late-season, ace Mississippi smallmouth bass guide Tommy Steffen, who indicated that the bite has been pretty good. “Pretty good” in guide speak means “run as fast as you can to the boat.” After a burger and beer strategy session at an undisclosed local watering hole (fishing veterans never give away their best fishing or bar locations), Bill and Scott met Tommy and jumped onto the river. Bill and Scott have been fishing…
Read MoreBGS Supports Achieve Services
April 21, 2025 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.One of the core principles in the BGS Mission statement is to give back to the community we serve. BGS has been involved Achieve Services for several years and recently attended their annual fundraising event. Attorneys Bill Huefner, Kate Fredrickson and Tammy Schemmel represented the firm for the gala on April 10th, 2025. The funds raised at the event support Achieve Services in providing day programming and employment opportunities for adults with disabilities. Achieve also offers services which include community-based employment, on-site employment, volunteer activities, arts and social skills programming, and recreational opportunities.
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