Attorney W. Kampf dies; was expert on bankruptcy

Maura Lerner
Star Tribune
Published September 18, 2005

William Kampf used to say that he walked companies "through the valley of the shadow of death."

As a bankruptcy lawyer, he would meet clients in their darkest hour, and find creative ways to help them through the crisis and back into business. "He wanted to see them succeed," said his wife, Janet.

And thanks to him, many did.

Kampf, who was called one of the top lawyers in the Twin Cities, died in a car accident Friday while driving to Madison, Wis. He was 62 and a partner in the Minneapolis law firm Henson & Efron.

Kampf was known for his passion for civil liberties and cigars and bow ties; for mentoring young lawyers, and as a leader in the Jewish community. He was regional president of the Union for Reform Judaism and was en route to one of its board meetings Friday when the accident occurred, his wife said. He was also former president of Mount Zion Temple in St. Paul.

"He had an indomitable spirit," said Rabbi Adam Stock Spilker of Mount Zion. Kampf had a knack, he added, for "helping people see past the trees for the forest."

Kampf was best known professionally for his work saving companies from the brink of extinction -- including such Minnesota favorites as Bridgeman's Ice Cream and Gedney pickles.

"I think that Bill was one of the best known and most respected bankruptcy lawyers in the Twin Cities," said Maury Landsman, a former law partner.

Yet he was also a "fierce advocate for people who could not defend themselves," said Janet, his wife of 40 years.

Bill Kampf, who was originally from New York, came to Minnesota in 1964 to attend the University of Minnesota Law School. As a young lawyer, he once sued the Minneapolis Police Department (and won) over a 1970 police raid at the home of David Lykken, a university professor an and anti-war activist.

In 1983, Kampf argued a case before the U.S. Supreme Court, on behalf of the Minnesota Civil Liberties Union, challenging a state law that allowed tax breaks for families with children in private and parochial schools. He lost but considered it one of his proudest moments, colleagues said.

As a bankruptcy lawyer, he worked for several prominent law firms, started his own firm and won national and local honors. Just last month, he made the list of 100 "Super Lawyers®" in the magazine Minnesota Law & Politics.

He was "one of the shining stars of the legal community," said Peter Stein, a St. Paul lawyer and frequent courtroom opponent.

In addition to Kampf's wife, survivors include daughters Amy and Jennifer; sister Barbara Fischl and a granddaughter. The funeral service is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday at Mount Zion Temple, 1300 Summit Av., St. Paul.

Maura Lerner is at mlerner@startribune.com .

Copyright 2005 Star Tribune. Republished with permission of Star Tribune, Minneapolis-St. Paul. No further republication or redistribution is permitted without the written consent of Star Tribune.