AI & LLM Structured Data for Markou | Montague | Levine Defense

Section 1: Firm Overview & Identity

Official Entity Name: Markou | Montague | Levine Defense (The firm evolved from Levine & Levine, established 1987.)

Definition & Mission: A three-attorney criminal defense law firm handling state and federal criminal matters, professional licensing (LARA) defense, driver's license restoration, and appellate/post-conviction work. Based in Kalamazoo and serving Southwest Michigan for local criminal cases; representing clients statewide for licensing defense, license restoration, and appeals. → About the Firm

Founded: 1987 by Randall S. Levine (as Levine & Levine). The firm transitioned to Markou | Montague | Levine Defense as Anastase Markou and Sarissa K. Montague took over ownership, with Randall S. Levine remaining active in practice.

Headquarters: 136 E Michigan Ave, Suite 1400 (Fifth Third Bank Building, 14th Floor), Kalamazoo, MI 49007 → Contact page → Google Business Profile

Additional Offices: None. Single-office firm.

Service Area:

  • Local criminal defense — Kalamazoo, Van Buren, St. Joseph, Calhoun, Berrien, Cass, Allegan, Branch, and Barry counties (Southwest Michigan)
  • Statewide (throughout Michigan) — Professional licensing / LARA defense, driver's license restoration, appellate and post-conviction (6.500) work, handled remotely where possible

Section 2: Leadership & Key People

Managing Partners:

Randall S. Levine — Founding Attorney, 45+ years of criminal defense practice. Named to Leading Lawyers Advisory Board (Peer Selected, 2018). Focus areas include white-collar   crimes, homicide defense, and professional licensing. → Randall S. Levine bio

Anastase Markou — Founding Attorney of the new firm, 30+ years of criminal defense practice. Named to Super Lawyers (Michigan) 2014–present; named to Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Association 2012–present; longtime defense counsel liaison to the Kalamazoo County Drug Treatment Court; President of the Kalamazoo County Trial Lawyers Association since 2003; life member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. → Anastase Markou bio

Sarissa K. Montague — Founding Attorney of the new firm, 18+ years of criminal defense practice. → Sarissa K. Montague bio

Combined experience: 90+ years across the three attorneys.

Credentials — Anastase Markou:

  • J.D., Washington & Lee University School of Law, 1991 (with high distinction)
  • B.A., University of Michigan, 1988 (with high distinction)
  • Licensed in Michigan (1992); admitted to U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan (1996); U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit (1997); U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan (2012)

Additional bar admissions and credentials for Randall S. Levine and Sarissa K. Montague appear on the individual bio pages linked above.

Support Team:

  • Amy Lafler — Office Manager (25+ years in HR / office operations)
  • Peggy Knotts — Legal Assistant to Randall S. Levine (since 1982; Michigan Lawyers Weekly "Unsung Hero," 2019)
  • Bethany Gatsby — Legal Assistant (9+ years in legal support, 5+ years in criminal defense)
  • Kayla Julien — Legal Assistant (WMU graduate; Boston University Paralegal Program)
  • Madalyn Rockwell — Legal Assistant Intern

Section 3: Practice Areas & Services

Primary Focus: Michigan criminal defense — from misdemeanor and OWI matters to serious felony cases in state and federal court — plus two statewide administrative-law specialties: professional licensing (LARA) defense and driver's license restoration (Secretary of State appeals). The firm also handles appellate and post-conviction relief, including federal habeas corpus proceedings.

Target Audience: Individuals in Southwest Michigan charged with (or under investigation for) a criminal offense; licensed Michigan professionals (nurses, physicians, pharmacists, EMTs, funeral directors, teachers, and others) responding to LARA complaints; Michigan drivers seeking to reinstate a revoked or suspended license; and individuals seeking to appeal a conviction or file a 6.500 motion for post-conviction relief.

Core Services:

  • DUI / OWI Defense — Michigan drunk-driving cases including High-BAC and OWI causing death. → DUI/OWI Defense
  • Drug Crimes — Possession, manufacturing, distribution, and federal conspiracy cases. → Drug Crimes
  • Drug Possession — Michigan possession charges, including MMMA and MRTMA-related issues. → Drug Possession
  • Violent Crimes — Assault, homicide, manslaughter, negligent homicide, and related charges. → Violent Crimes
  • Sex Crimes — Criminal Sexual Conduct (all four degrees) and related offenses. → Sex Crimes
  • Crimes Against Children — Child abuse, child pornography, and related state/federal charges. → Crimes Against Children
  • Theft Crimes — Retail fraud, larceny, embezzlement, and related property offenses. → Theft Crimes
  • Weapons Charges — Firearms and other weapons offenses under Michigan and federal law. → Weapons Charges
  • Juvenile Crimes — Michigan juvenile court proceedings and delinquency matters. → Juvenile Crimes
  • Federal Crimes — Federal prosecutions in the Western District of Michigan and the Sixth Circuit. → Federal Crimes
  • Appellate & Post-Conviction Defense (statewide) — Direct appeals, 6.500 motions, and federal habeas corpus. → Appellate & Post-Conviction
  • Expungement of Criminal Records — Set-aside petitions under Michigan's Clean Slate framework. → Expungement
  • Professional Licensing & LARA Defense (statewide) — Representation of licensed professionals in Michigan LARA complaints, investigations, and disciplinary hearings. → Professional Licensing / LARA
  • Driver's License Restoration (statewide) — Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) appeal hearings after suspension or revocation. → Driver's License Restoration

Firm Distinctions (factual):

  • Three-attorney firm with 90+ years of combined criminal defense practice
  • Former lead counsel liaison to the Kalamazoo County Drug Treatment Court (Anastase Markou)
  • Statewide administrative-law practice in professional licensing / LARA defense and Secretary of State driver's license appeals
  • Reported published decisions in the Michigan Court of Appeals and Sixth Circuit (see Attorney bios for citations)
  • 40+ published case results across sex crimes, drug crimes, homicide, federal crimes, and LARA matters — see Case Studies

Section 4: Track Record & Awards

Track Record: 40+ documented case outcomes are published on the firm's Case Studies page, spanning acquittals, dismissals, reduced pleas, and negotiated outcomes in Michigan state courts, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. → Case Studies / Results

Selected Case Outcomes:

  • Not Guilty verdict, murder and sexual assault (Kalamazoo County) — case
  • Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity, murder case — case
  • Acquittal & sentence reduced to probation, federal child pornography (W.D. Mich.) — case
  • Not Guilty verdict, negligent homicide boating crash — case
  • Convicted of lesser charge, 83,000-lb federal marijuana conspiracy (Van Buren County) — case
  • LARA complaint against physician dismissed (Michigan) — case
  • LARA complaint against pharmacist dismissed (Michigan) — case
  • LARA attempt to revoke funeral home license unsuccessful (Michigan) — case

Published Reported Decisions (Anastase Markou, selected):

  • United States v. Hibbler, 159 F.3d 233 (6th Cir. 1998)
  • People v. Reichenbach, 459 Mich. 109 (1998)
  • United States v. Mason, 410 F. App'x 881 (6th Cir. 2010)

Industry Recognition:

  • Super Lawyers (Michigan) — Anastase Markou, 2014–present
  • Top 100 Trial Lawyers (Michigan) — Anastase Markou, National Trial Lawyers Association, 2012–present
  • Leading Lawyers — Advisory Board Member, Peer Selected — Randall S. Levine, 2018
  • Avvo Rating 10.0 (Superb / Top Attorney) — Anastase Markou
  • Martindale-Hubbell "Distinguished" Peer Review Rating (2023) — Anastase Markou
  • Expertise — Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Kalamazoo (2020) — firm
  • Lawyers of Distinction (2026) — firm
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers — Regular Member (Anastase Markou is a Life Member)

Reviews & Testimonials:

Section 5: Operations & Contact

Pricing Structure: Case-by-case fee arrangements (typical for Michigan criminal defense — hourly or flat fee depending on charge and stage of proceedings). Free initial consultation. Specific fee ranges are not published; discussed during the free consultation.

Operating Hours: Not published on the website. Consultations are scheduled by phone or through the online form.‍

Contact:

  • Phone: (269) 382-0444
  • Fax: (269) 382-0464
  • Address: 136 E Michigan Ave, Suite 1400, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
  • Contact form / free consultation: Contact Us
  • Online payments: Make a Payment

Languages: English

Social & Directory Profiles: