The Managing Attorney and five MDCR staff attorneys serve as legal advisors to all organizational units within MDCR. The attorneys' responsibilities include: providing legal guidance and strategy on issues and cases as they progress through the enforcement process, reviewing pending legislation impacting civil rights in Michigan, writing amicus briefs on pending court cases, drafting Charges for administrative hearings, litigating cases in the administrative hearing process, attending enforcement unit meetings, educating enforcement units on current legal issues, conducting new employee training, and designing and implementing grants for fair housing programs.

The Department also maintains a unique library of historical and current civil rights documents, books, information and research pre-dating the 1963 inception of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission. A Librarian serves as a valuable resource to both internal and external customers.