News

05 August 2021

Richard Cherry Joins Miller Johnson in Kalamazoo

Richard O. Cherry has joined Miller Johnson as a Member in the firm’s Litigation practice. Mr. Cherry brings 15+ years’ experience as an accomplished public sector attorney, including his most recent experience as Deputy Kalamazoo City Attorney / Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Attorney in the Kalamazoo City Attorney’s Office.

“Rich is a tremendous addition to our firm considering the wealth of knowledge he brings regarding legal issues not only in Kalamazoo, but in a myriad of municipal and civil cases across the board,” said Bob Wolford, Managing Member of Miller Johnson. “Rich is an effective advocate for clients and has successfully litigated in matters involving criminal, commercial real estate and tax, administrative, and employment and labor contracts, among many other cases.”

Mr. Cherry offers a broad set of litigation skills representing clients. His practice includes civil and criminal litigation, municipal law including Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), appellate, arbitration, trial, and transactional matters. While in the Office of the Kalamazoo City Attorney, Mr. Cherry oversaw prosecution of ordinance offenses, was the lead litigator on claims in state and federal courts brought against the City, its officials and employees, responded to Freedom of Information requests, and handled administrative hearings on behalf of the City on tax appeals, Civil Rights complaints, and unemployment claims. He was the attorney for the City’s Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, responsible for real estate transactions, negotiations, and tax increment development agreements with private developers.

“I am thrilled to join Miller Johnson following a wonderful eight years in the Kalamazoo City Attorney’s Office,” said Cherry. “Coming to one of the best law firms in Michigan and having the opportunity to put my understanding of civil litigation to work on behalf of the top corporations, health care providers, families and small businesses that our firm serves is a privilege. It is exciting to see the growth of our client base run parallel to the growth of our firm and know that I am part of it.”

“Our loss in Rich’s leaving is a gain to his clients at Miller Johnson,” said Clyde J. Robinson, City Attorney of Kalamazoo. “My office will miss his legal abilities and ebullient personality. I wish him much success.”

Prior to the Kalamazoo City Attorney’s Office, Mr. Cherry served as Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney for approximately 6 years in Chicago, Illinois.

Mr. Cherry was awarded his J.D. from Wayne State University Law School in 2005. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Kalamazoo College in 2001.

About Miller Johnson

Miller Johnson is a full-service firm providing legal counsel to businesses and individuals in corporate, employment and labor, litigation, employee benefits, and private client representation from its offices in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Detroit. Since 1959, Miller Johnson has been Michigan-based and has served clients worldwide.

# # #