William F. Burns is the current board chair of Legal Aid Services of Northeastern Minnesota in Duluth, MN, a position he previously held in 1981-84 and 1987-89, along with serving as Finance Committee Chair in 1989-2009. An attorney in private practice for more than 40 years, he is associated with the firm of Hanft Fride, P.A. Mr. Burns is a strong supporter of legal services for low-income individuals and has served on the board of directors of Legal Assistance of Minnesota. He received the Pro Bono Publico award from the Minnesota State Bar Association. He is active in other community ventures, including Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center where he was board chair for 11 years and the College of St. Scholastica where he is a Trustee Emeritus and former board chair. He is a former United Way chairman and former chair of the Spirit Mountain Recreation Area.