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

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

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

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

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

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)
LUCY J. DEHAAN

LUCY J. DEHAAN

Criminal Defense Attorney

  • State Bar of Michigan
  • Kalamazoo County Bar Association – Speaker Series Committee Member
  • Kalamazoo County Trial Lawyers Association – Member
KAITLIN M LOCKE

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

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

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

LEGAL ASSISTANTS

Lori

Lori

Office Manager

Janet

Janet

Manager of Operations

Allison

Allison

Legal Assistant

Blake

Blake

Legal Assistant

Kerrie

Kerrie

Legal Assistant

Angel

Angel

Legal Assistant

Tammy

Tammy

Legal Assistant

HLO ALUMNI

JERRY HOPKINS

JERRY HOPKINS

Retired from HLO

Retired from HLO 2018. Went into semi retirement. He is now living a life of joy and refinement.
Thomas Edmonds

Thomas Edmonds

Retired

Thomas Edmonds went into retirement 2017 and can be seen driving about town in his old time car.
Mackenzie Mayer

Mackenzie Mayer

Retired from HLO

Retired from HLO during COVID 2020 when she decided to go back home to Ohio and set up her own firm closer to family. She is doing great and we still stay in touch and are happy for her success! Mackenzie is now a magistrate judge!
BECKET J. JONES

BECKET J. JONES

RETIRED FROM HLO

Retired from HLO in 2022 when he was elected 8th District Judge. Congrats, Becket!

HLO ALUMNI INTERNS

BENEDICT NSENGA

BENEDICT NSENGA

Past Intern

Benedict Nsenga is an aspiring attorney who will be attending his alma mater, Michigan State University, for law School in the fall. His interest in law stemmed from his father’s defense work in international criminal tribunals. He attended James Madison college, where he studied Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy. He graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in 2022. He has participated in high school and undergraduate Mock Trial for over five years at all levels of competition and plans on continuing to do litigation at the graduate level as well as in the legal field.

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.

IN A TOUGH SPOT? WE'RE HERE TO HELP.

Contact The Firm: 269.373.5430