ROGERS — There will be a new face in the Rogers city attorney’s office Jan. 6 when Bonnie Bridges takes over as district court prosecutor.
Bridges has been with the Benton County prosecuting attorney’s office for six years.
“Bonnie is a great prosecutor who knows her way around a courtroom. We are thrilled she will be joining the city staff,”said Ben Lipscomb, Rogers city attorney. “She has great prosecuting skills, and has keen insight into law, having been in private and public practice.”
Bridges’ starting salary will be $36.12 an hour, or about $75,000 a year, which does not include benefits.
Bridges, a University Of Tulsa law school graduate, said she looks forward to being part of the city attorney’s office.
“I’ve handled sex crime prosecutions for three years, longer than anyone else. and it’s time for a change,” Bridges said.
Bridges is no stranger to Rogers — she is a Rogers High School graduate — and she went into private practice her first year out of law school with Jim Lingle, a local attorney.
“For me, this is like coming home,” Bridges said.
She is married to Nathan Atchison, a captain with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. She has three children, a son, Phoenix, and two stepdaughters, Aubrey and Brandi.
She is board member of the Police Athletic League and on the board of Restoration Village.
“I don’t get a lot of sleep, with three kids, a husband, and serving on two boards,” Bridges joked.
Officers with Rogers Police Department have worked with Bridges in the past and look forward to working with her in the Rogers District Court.
“She is very easy to work with,” said James Allen, Rogers police chief, who worked with Bridges when he was police chief in Bentonville.
“She is a good communicator and keeps everybody working on a case informed. Having her join the city staff is a big win for the city, but a loss for the prosecuting attorney’s office,” Allen said.
The opening in the city attorney’s office was the result of Jim Clark’s January retirement. Chris Griffin, who has been handling the prosecuting duties for the city, will take over Clark’s position in civil law.