Yates joins Ven Johnson Law 

Retired Judge Christopher P. Yates has joined Ven Johnson Law as a senior trial attorney, in its Kalamazoo office. Yates brings nearly four decades of experience across the judiciary, government and private practice. He will focus on high-stakes civil and appellate matters in Michigan and across the U.S.

Yates previously served on the Michigan Court of Appeals, where he was appointed in 2022 by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. 

Earlier in his career, Yates served 14 years as a circuit court trial judge on the Kent County Circuit Court, including leadership of its specialized business docket. He also clerked for Chief Judge James P. Churchill of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and for the Honorable Ralph B. Guy Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Yates also served as an assistant United States attorney in Detroit, chief federal public defender for the Western District of Michigan and a partner in a private practice law firm.
Yates has received numerous honors, including the 2025 Judicial Excellence Award from the State Bar of Michigan Litigation Section and the 2022 Judicial Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Board of Trial Advocates. He will continue to serve as chair of the Michigan Sentencing Commission.

Mika Meyers earns kudos 

 Mika Meyers PLC has been named Best of Grand Rapids 2026 in both Estate Planning and Family Law, as voted by Grand Rapids Magazine’s readers.

Mika Meyers PLC is a statewide full-service law firm with offices in Grand Rapids, Caledonia and Manistee. Founded in 1950, Mika Meyers has 37 attorneys that provide a broad range of legal services to individuals, families, businesses, municipalities, and educational institutions throughout Michigan and nationwide.

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