BARRY COUNTY, Michigan. – The body of a prominent West Michigan lawyer was found after a large-scale police search.

Michael Hodge, a 76-year-old Barry County man, was last seen on November 8. His body was found almost a week later. during a search by Michigan State Police K-9 units on November 14.

Who was Michael Hodge?

Hodge was a prominent lawyer who spent decades working in the Lansing office. Miller Canfield. He had experience in government, labor and commercial litigation, according to the Miller Canfield websiteand dealt with electoral law issues.

Miller Canfield CEO Mike Palizzi called Hodge “an exceptionally talented attorney, trusted advisor, and committed mentor and friend. »

“Mike’s genius as a quick-witted orator and legal strategist in court was memorable and unparalleled,” Eldridge wrote. “Mike was a rare example of a legal adversary feared and loved by opponents, as well as everyone he met along the way. This is not an easy task. Not only will Mike Hodge be missed; he will be remembered as one of Lansing’s finest.

Hodge began his legal career in 1975 in the State Affairs Division of the Attorney General’s Office, progressing through positions in the Executive Branch and Public Employment and Elections Divisions. He served as an assistant attorney general before joining Miller Canfield in 1984, where he became a leading election law and government affairs attorney.

He took a few years off from Miller Canfield, from 1987 to 1990, to work as legal advisor to Governor James Blanchard.

While he was retired, Palizzi said Hodge remains involved with Miller Canfield and was a trusted resource that helped many of their attorneys.

Missing, search teams

Michigan State Police asked for the public’s help in locating Hodge on Nov. 10, two days after he was last seen. He was reported missing in Delton, a small community located halfway between Kalamazoo and Hastings, just north of the Barry-Kalamazoo county line.

Hodge’s daughter, Meghan Hodge Groen, said in a message on Facebook that his father suffered from “a degree of dementia” and that he often went for walks, but was never away for very long.

WOODTV in Grand Rapids reported that a guard had seen him before his disappearance, but they had noticed nothing strange in his behavior.

In addition to Michigan State Police aviation, marine and K-9 units, community members have trained their own search teams in an effort to find Hodge.

Discovery, community response

After an extensive search, Hodge’s body was found by Michigan State Police K-9 units.

Police have not released any details about where Hodge was found or how he died.

Hodge’s daughter also thanked the public for their help in the search for her father.

“We are truly grateful to the friends, volunteers, media and police officers who worked together to help find my father,” Groen said in a Facebook post. “The outpouring of love, concern and support is a testament to the special way my father connected with people and touched so many lives in his professional capacity, as a friend and as a father and loving grandfather. We hope people remember his incredible sense of humor, his intelligence, his charm, his warmth and his uncanny ability to connect with people. We miss him dearly and our hearts are broken. THANK YOU everyone for your support, love and prayers.