Born in
Bedford,
New York, Bonsal received an
Artium Baccalaureus degree from
Dartmouth College in 1927 and a
Bachelor of Laws from
Harvard Law School in 1930. He was in private practice in
New York City, New York from 1930 to 1942. He was chief counsel to the
Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs from 1942 to 1945, returning to private practice in New York City from 1945 to 1961, and from 1958 to 1960 served as president of the
New York City Bar Association.
Federal judicial service On October 5, 1961, Bonsal received a
recess appointment from President
John F. Kennedy to a new seat on the
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York created by 75 Stat. 80. He was formally nominated to the same seat by President Kennedy on January 15, 1962. He was confirmed by the
United States Senate on March 16, 1962, and received his commission on March 17, 1962. He assumed
senior status on December 6, 1976. While in senior status, Bonsal was a judge on the
Temporary Emergency Court of Appeals from 1977 to 1987, and on the
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court from 1981 to 1984. Bonsal remained in senior service until his death on July 22, 1995, in Bedford. ==Notes==