Bernard began his career as an attorney in 1993. In 1990, he graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor's degree in business management. In 1993, he received his juris doctor from the Washburn Univeristy School of Law. Bernard is admitted to practice in all Kansas Courts, including

the U.S. District Court of Kansas. He is a member of the Riley County and Kansas Bar Associations. He is active in the Riley County Bar Association, serving as president in 2004. He is currently chairman of the Riley County Bar Ethics Panel and has served as a trustee of the Riley County Law Library. Bernard serves as the City Attorney for Ogden, Kansas.

Bernard is active in local civic affairs, having served on the United Way Board of Directors and the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Board of Directors. Bernard is a lifelong member of Seven Dolors Catholic Church, where he is involved in various activities, including the Knights of Columbus. He is a graduate of the Flint Hills Regional Leadership Program. Bernard has been with MFOI since 1993, except when he served as an Assistant Riley County Attorney from 1999 to 2001.

Bernard remains involved in his family's farming operation in the Manhattan area. He is married to Emily, a homemaker, with whom he has four children, Emma, Elizabeth, Paul and Benjamin.