After 26 years as Calhoun County Probate Court Judge, Phillip E. Harter joined Chalgian & Tripp as 'of counsel' where he practices in probate, estate planning, and mediation of contested probate matters. 

Mr. Harter is a lifelong Battle Creek resident and he and his wife Mary Pat have three children.

Attorney Harter has been involved (and continues to be involved) with several groups and organizations, some of which are mentioned below:

• Calhoun County Probate Court Judge (1984-2010)
• Past Chairperson, Probate and Estate Planning Council Section of the State Bar of Michigan
• Past Chairperson, Michigan Probate Judges Association Probate Law and Probate Rules Committee
• 2006 Recipient of the Michael Irish Award
• Contributing Writer for ICLE's (Institute for Continuing Legal Education)  "Michigan Guardianship and Conservatorship Handbook" (revised edition)
• Contributing Writer for ICLE's (Institute for Continuing Legal Education) "Michigan Family Law Benchbook" (2nd Edition)
• Fellow, Michigan State Bar Foundation
• Member, Calhoun County Bar Association
• Past President, St. Joseph Conference of St. Vincent DePaul Society
• Former Member, Board of Directors of American Cancer Society (Calhoun County)