Southwest Michigan · since 1977 · 24/7
Criminal defense.It's all we do.
No wills. No divorces. No real estate closings. For nearly fifty years this firm has done exactly one thing — stand between our clients and the full weight of the State of Michigan.
4.9★ · 500+ Google reviews · free consultation · (269) 373-5430
Outcomes vary case to case — no result is ever promised. These illustrate charge types we defend.
The next few hours matter most
Just arrested? Do these four things.
01 — Say nothing
Be polite. Give your name. Answer NOTHING else — not to police, not to cellmates, not on the recorded jail phone. Silence cannot be used against you. Talking always is.
02 — Say the magic words
"I want a lawyer." Four words, clearly, then stop. Questioning must end. Don't explain, don't apologize, don't 'clear things up.'
03 — Call us — any hour
(269) 373-5430 reaches a defense lawyer 24/7, not a machine. If you can't call, have anyone — spouse, parent, friend — call for you.
04 — Sign nothing, consent to nothing
No searches, no statements, no 'routine paperwork' without your lawyer reading it first. There is no such thing as routine paperwork after an arrest.
Getting the call ABOUT someone? Same steps apply — tell them to stay silent, then call us. We can often be at the jail before questioning starts.
Call nowWhy the other side knows our name
Fifty years inside these courtrooms.
Hills at Law has defended Southwest Michigan since 1977. Our attorneys include former prosecutors who know exactly how the other table thinks — and defense advisors embedded in the county's drug, OWI, and mental-health recovery courts. Every case is reviewed by a team, not a lone lawyer.
- 1977
- Defending SW Michigan since
- 0
- Defense attorneys
- 0
- Offices across the region
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- Google reviews · 4.9★
Michael D. Hills
Partner
Past president, Kalamazoo Bar Association · Drug Court defense advisor
Jessica E. LaFond
Partner
VP, Kalamazoo County Trial Lawyers Assn · OWI Court defense rep
James D. Hills
Of counsel
Former prosecutor · former JAG officer — practicing since 1965
Steven M. McLaughlin
Attorney
Former senior assistant prosecuting attorney, Kalamazoo County
Arden A. Mitchell
Attorney
Mental Health Recovery Court defense advisor
Justin R. Workman
Attorney
Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan
Kaitlin M. Locke
Attorney
Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan · Berrien County Bar
Anthony J. DeAgostino
Attorney
Kalamazoo County Trial Lawyers Association
Zealous
We are in an adversarial system — and we come ready to fight.
Responsive
Your questions and concerns get answered promptly. Including at 2am.
Ethical
The highest standards of professional conduct. Your case stays clean.
The docket
If the State is on the other side, we're on yours.
OWI / drunk driving
First offense to felony OWI — the machine isn't infallible and the stop has rules. We check both.
Assault & violent crime
Self-defense, disputed accounts, overcharged counts — cases where the story matters.
Criminal sexual conduct
The highest stakes there are. Discreet, methodical, and built for trial from day one.
Under investigation
The call from a detective who 'just wants to talk'? That's when to hire us — before charges.
License restoration
A real process with real hearings. We prepare you to win it back the first time.
Students in trouble
WMU and K-College cases: criminal charges AND campus discipline, handled together.
From the record
What clients say when it's over
“Their transparency and communication throughout the entire process were excellent.”
“They were there for my family, always willing to talk and answer all my questions.”
“Case completely dismissed.”
Four offices · one number
Wherever the courthouse is, we're close.
(269) 373-5430Answered by a defense lawyer, 24/7 · free consultation · hillslaw@hillslawoffice.com
Kalamazoo
425 S. Westnedge Ave
Battle Creek
15 Carlyle St, 2nd Floor
Grand Rapids
250 Monroe Ave NW, Suite 443
Benton Harbor
115 W. Main St, Suite A