ATTORNEYS
MEET THE PARTNERS
Michael Hills joined the firm in 1999 and transitioned it into the law practice that it is today. From the outset of his career, Mike made it a priority to build a firm that provides its clients with superior legal representation. Since that point, the Firm has continued to do just that while adding attorneys who support that vision.
Jessica LaFond joined the Firm in 2013 and became a partner in 2020. Jessica’s vision for the firm has lined up with Michael’s and they have continued to grow the Firm over the last several years. Most recently, they opened an office location in St. Joseph, Berrien County.
Mike and Jessica are committed to providing the best professional criminal defense representation to the citizens of southwest Michigan.
Michael D. Hills
Criminal Defense Attorney, Partner
- Admitted to Michigan Bar 1998
- Cum laude distinction, Michigan State University School of Law
- Kalamazoo Drug Court Policy Counsel Defense Advisor, Policy board
- Kalamazoo Bar Association, 2002 – 2004 (Past President)
- Michigan Bar & Federal Bar Associations
- National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys (member)
JESSICA E. LAFOND
Criminal Defense Attorney, Partner
- DePaul University College of Law: JD – Juris Doctor
- Michigan State University: BA – Bachelor
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member
- Kalamazoo County Trial Lawyers Association, Vice President
- Kalamazoo County OWI Court (Specialty Court), Defense Attorney Representative
JAMES D. HILLS
Former Prosecutor & Worked in the Judge Advocate General’s Office, Fort Benning, GA
- Valparaiso School of Law: Juris Doctor 1965
- Western Michigan University: Bachelor of Arts 1962
- Admitted to practice in all Michigan courts, United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan and Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati, Ohio
Justin R. Workman
Criminal Defense Attorney
- Michigan Bar Association
- National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
- Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan
- Kalamazoo County Bar Association
- Kalamazoo County Trial Lawyers Association
CODY S. CRANE
Criminal Defense Attorney
- J.D. – Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Grand Rapids, MI
- B.S. – University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Kalamazoo County Trial Lawyers Association – Member, President (2016 – 2017)
- Kalamazoo County Bar Association – Member, Board of Directors (2015-2021)
- Coach – Kalamazoo Central Mock Trial Team (2016-2019)
KAITLIN M LOCKE
Criminal Defense Attorney
- Michigan Bar Association
- Berrien County Bar Association
- Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan
- Kalamazoo County Trial Lawyers Association
ANTHONY J. DEAGOSTINO
Criminal Defense Attorney
- Michigan Bar Association
- Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan
- Kalamazoo County Bar Association
- Kalamazoo County Trial Lawyers Association
CHRISTIN J. MEHRTENS-CARLIN
Criminal Defense Attorney
- Michigan Bar Association
- Kalamazoo County Bar Association
- Kalamazoo County Trial Lawyers Association
- Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan
- Kalamazoo Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
- Pennsylvania Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
MANAGEMENT
LEGAL ASSISTANTS
CLIENT ADVOCATES
HLO ALUMNI
JERRY HOPKINS
Retired from HLO
Thomas Edmonds
Retired
Mackenzie Mayer
Retired from HLO
BECKET J. JONES
RETIRED FROM HLO
HLO ALUMNI INTERNS
BENEDICT NSENGA
Past Intern
He has interned at our office for a year and plans on using the experience he has gained with the legal education he is pursuing. He also speaks multiple languages.
