Forty Under 40: Bonnie Atchison

Bonnie Atchison left her hometown to attend college and later law school. But returning home to build a career was always a goal.

A Rogers native, she returned 13 years ago after earning a psychology degree from Arkansas Tech University and law degree from the University of Tulsa.

Once back in Arkansas, her first job, she joked, was studying for the bar exam. But while doing so, she sent unsolicited resumes to a number of law firms in the area.

That led to a job offer in 2005 from the Lingle Law Firm in Rogers. Her skill in the courtroom caught the attention of the chief trial attorney in the Benton County Prosecutor’s Office. She was offered a job there as a deputy prosecutor in 2007, assigned to prosecute all felony sex crimes where children were the victims.

After six years, she was offered a job to work for the city of Rogers as one of two staff attorneys. She viewed the opportunity to work for her hometown government as a perfect fit.

“It gives me some extra pride in the work that I do,” she said.

Atchison handles criminal cases charged by the Rogers Police Department. She is also involved in contract review, imminent domain cases and human resources matters.

“Wherever I need to go, that’s where I go,” she said.

Atchison represents the city on the Rogers Historic District Commission. Additionally, she is a committee chairman for her son’s Cub Scouts group, and she is a board member for Restoration Village, a nonprofit for women and children in crisis.

She said a run for elected office, specifically to become a judge, is a potential professional goal.