Judicial Biographies

Listed below are the biographies for the following Circuit Court Judges:

John A. Hallacy Circuit Court Judge, term ending 01/01/25
Portrait-Hallacy Business
37th Judicial Circuit Court
Justice Center
161 East Michigan Avenue
Battle Creek, MI 49014-4066
Phone: (269) 969-6759

Education
1985 - Bachelor of Science Degree - Western Michigan University
1988 - Juris Doctorate Degree - Valparaiso University School of Law
 
Legal Experience
2001-2008 - Calhoun County Prosecuting Attorney
1997-2000 - Member, Michigan Parole Board
1991-1996 - Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
1988-1991 - Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
 
Judicial Experience
District Court Judge, 2009 to 2015
Circuit Court Judge, 2015 to Present
Serves as Chief Judge Pro Tempore, Calhoun County Courts, 2016 to Present
Professional Memberships
Michigan Bar Association
Calhoun County Bar Association
Michigan District Judges Association
History of this Seat on the Circuit Court
Public Act 125 of 1976 added this 3rd judgeship to the Circuit Court effective January 1, 1977.  Tenth District Judge Paul E. Nicolich, of Battle Creek, was elected to the new circuit judgeship in the November 1976 election and took office January 1, 1977.  Judge Nicolich was subsequently re-elected and served until his death March 24, 1990.  Ronald A. LeBeuf of Battle Creek was appointed by Governor James Blanchard and took office May 14, 1990.  Judge LeBeuf served until succeeded by then Calhoun County Prosecutor Conrad J. Sindt, of Albion Township, who defeated LeBeuf in the November 1990 election.  Judge Sindt began his service on the Circuit bench January 1, 1991, and has been re-elected since.  Judge Sindt retired September 30, 2015, prior to the completion of his term which expires January 1, 2019.  Governer Rick Snyder appointed Tenth District Court Chief Judge John A. Hallacy to replace Judge Sindt effective December 29, 2015.

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Brian K. Kirkham Circuit Court Judge, term ending 01/01/29
Portrait-Kirkham  Business
37th Judicial Circuit Court
Justice Center
161 East Michigan Avenue
Battle Creek, MI 49014-4066
Phone: (269) 969-6529

Home
Battle Creek, MI
Education
B.S. with honors, 1976, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
J.D. with distinction, 1983, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Lansing, MI
Legal Experience
Admitted to the State Courts of Michigan in May 1983;
Admitted to the Federal District Court in May 1983;
Admitted to Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Tribal Court in November 2010;
Private practice 1983-2013.
Judicial Experience
Circuit Court Judge, appointed July, 2013
Circuit Court Judge, elected November, 2014
Served as Chief Circuit Judge Pro Tempore, 2015
Presiding Family Court Judge, 2016-2019
Business Court Judge
Boards and Directorships
Mayor of City of Battle Creek, 2001-03;
Battle Creek City Commissioner, 1997-2003;
Calhoun County Republican Party - Past Chairman;
Battle Creek Unlimited Board of Directors;
Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors;
Greater Battle Creek Area Visitors and 
Convention Bureau (Past Chairman);
W.K. Kellogg Airport Advisory Committee;
Battle Creek Area American Business Clubs (Past Chairman);
Heritage Battle Creek Board (Past Chairman);
Washington Heights Community Ministries
(Past Chairman);
Goguac Lake Advisory Board (Past Chairman);
Criminal Justice Jail Construction Committee;
Boy Scouts of America - Organizational Rep-
resentative.
 
Professional Memberships
Calhoun County Bar Association (President-1993); State Bar of Michigan

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Sarah S. Lincoln Circuit Court Judge, term ending 01/01/27
Portrait-Lincoln  Business
37th Judicial Circuit Court
Justice Center
161 East Michigan Avenue
Battle Creek, MI 49014-4066
Phone: (269) 969-6502

Home
Marshall, Michigan
Education
B.A., 1995, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., 2000, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
Legal Experience
Admitted to State Courts of Michigan in November 2000
Assistant Muskegon County Prosecuting Attorney, 2000 - 2001
Assistant Calhoun County Prosecuting Attorney, 2001 - 2014
Judicial Experience
Circuit Court Judge, elected November 2014
Presiding Circuit Court Judge, 2016-Present
Teaching Experience
Adjunct Instructor at Kellogg Community College, Criminal Justice Program
Professional Memberships
State Bar of Michigan
Calhoun County Bar Association

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Tina Yost Johnson Circuit Court Judge, term ending 01/01/2027
Portrait-YostJohnson 
 Business
37th Judicial Circuit Court
Justice Center
161 East Michigan Avenue
Battle Creek, MI  49014-4066
Phone: (269) 969-6510
 
Home
Battle Creek, MI
Education
1995 - Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, Albion College, Albion, Michigan
1998 – Juris Doctor, Wayne State University Law School, Detroit, Michigan
Legal Experience
Child Support Establishment Attorney, Calhoun County Prosecutor’s Office, 2015 - 2016
Attorney Referee, Calhoun County Circuit Court, 2003 - 2015
Litigation Attorney, Legal Services of South Central Michigan, 2002- 2003
Attorney, Vandervoort, Christ & Fisher, P.C., 2000- 2001
Attorney, McNeil Grafton, 1998-2000
Law Clerk/Mediation Coordinator, 1996-1998
Judicial Intern, U.S. District Court, Chief Judge Anna Diggs Taylor 1997
Student Attorney, Free Legal Aid Clinic 1996
 
Judicial Experience
Referee 37th Circuit Court, 2003 to 2015
Circuit Court Judge, elected November 2016
Community Service and Boards
Neighborhood Planning Council #11- Vice President, 2016
Optimist Club Member
Junior League Member
Rotary Member
Crossroads Church and Ministries, Member
Community Fatherhood, (Past Board Member)
Marshall Community Credit Union, (Past Board Member)
SafePlace Shelter, (Past Board Member)
Women of Impact of Greater Battle Creek
Calhoun County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council
Albion Youth Center Project; Youth Counselor/Mentor
Detroit Youth and Gang Violence Seminar Coordinator
Albion Outreach
Professional Memberships
State Bar of Michigan Family Law Council, Legislative and Court Rules Committees
State Bar of Michigan American Indian Law Section Executive Committee
Calhoun County Bar Association (President 2007)
Michigan Judges Association Family Law Committee
Women Lawyers Association Public Relations Chair 2001

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