Submit an Event Request

The Department of Attorney General only accepts service of process of lawsuits naming Attorney General Dana Nessel or the Michigan Department of Attorney General as defendants. Lawsuits naming other state officers and state agencies, like the Governor or the Michigan Department of Treasury, must be served directly on the state officer or state agency. The Department of Attorney General will not accept service for other officers or agencies unless they give explicit authorization to do so in a specific case. The exception to this rule is that the Department will accept service of process for lawsuits filed under the Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act. 

Only certain attorneys within the Department of Attorney General are authorized to accept service of process on the Attorney General or the Department. If you have questions regarding service of process on the Attorney General or the Department of Attorney General, please call 517-335-7622 or email the Department. To arrange for personal service, please call 517-335-7622 for assistance. 

For service by certified mail, the following address should be used for the Attorney General or the Department of Attorney General:

Department of Attorney General
P.O. Box 30212
Lansing, MI 48909

The Office of Public Information and Education is responsible for all media relations.

The Solicitor General is responsible for managing the State's litigation in the United States Supreme Court, supervising all the appellate filings by the Department in the appellate courts, provide original briefing and oral advocacy in significant cases for the Department, making recommendations to the Attorney General for amicus briefs and sign-on letters circulated by the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), and preparing reports for the Department regarding case call and appellate dispositions.

The Solicitor General oversees the Criminal Trials and Appeals, Financial Crimes, Health Care Fraud and Prosecuting Attorneys Coordinating Council divisions.

The Opinions Review Board is responsible for managing the Attorney General's opinions process; drafting, reviewing, and editing all formal opinions, letter opinions, and informational letters provided to members of the Legislature, the Governor, or any other state officer pursuant to MCL 14.32; handling all citizen correspondence regarding opinions, and reviewing citizen correspondence received from legislators and the Governor. The Opinions Review Board also serves as appellate advisor upon request of the Attorney General in cases involving the observance of a conflict wall, and assists with other cases as needed. They also serve as the Attorney General's advisor on request for the initiation of quo warranto proceedings.

The Office of Legislative Affairs is the liaison with the Legislature.

The Office of Fiscal Management is responsible for: the department's accounting, budget development, budgetary control, financial & administrative services, mail, office services, purchasing, supplies & stockroom, and vehicle acquisition & requisition.

The Office of Human Resources is responsible for the department's human resources and administrative services. Duties include: departmental receptionist, equal employment opportunity, ergonomic assessments, facilities management, health & safety, human resources management, labor relations, temporary staffing, and training. 

The Criminal Trials and Appeals Division is responsible for conducting criminal investigations and prosecutions, prosecuting cases developed and referred by State agencies, representing and advising the licensing authority for police officers, and serving as the liaison and providing assistance to county prosecutors. Additional duties include:

Criminal Investigations & Prosecutions

• Public Integrity

• Human Trafficking

• Cold Case Homicides & Sexual Assaults

• Asset Forfeiture

• Election Fraud

• Criminal Enterprises (RICO)

• Securities/Mortgage Fraud

• Medical Marijuana Abuses

• Special Prosecutor Requests from County Prosecutors

• Child Sexual Abuse Material

• Insurance Fraud

• Hate Crimes

State Agencies Prosecutions

• Department of Environmental Quality (Criminal Prosecutions)

• Department of Human Services (Welfare Recipient Fraud, Vendor Fraud)

• Michigan Gaming Board (Casino Crimes, Illegal Gambling Operations)

• Department of Treasury (Civil Forfeiture Actions and Criminal Tax Enforcement)

• Michigan State Police (Bridge Card Vendor Enforcement)

• MIOSHA (Criminal Prosecutions)

• Unemployment Insurance Agency (Unemployment Benefits Fraud)

• Department of Licensing and Regulation (Unlicensed Builders)

Licensing Authority for Police Officers

• Counsel for Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES)

County Prosecutors

• Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan Board

• Prosecuting Attorneys Coordinating Council Board

• "Distressed Cities" Special Assistant Attorneys General

Federal & State Habeas Petitions

The Attorney General represents the various state prison wardens in federal and state court actions for writs of habeas corpus filed by state prisoners seeking release claiming their federal constitutional rights were violated in their state criminal proceedings, or that radical defects in jurisdiction entitle them to release.

State Court Appeals

The Attorney General represents the People of the State of Michigan in the Michigan Court of Appeals and Michigan Supreme Court in appeals from felony convictions obtained in counties with a population smaller than 75,000, and convictions obtained by in prosecutions by the Attorney General.

Expungements

The Attorney General reviews and responds as appropriate to requests filed by criminal defendants seeking to set aside their criminal convictions and remove them from public records MCL 780.621.

The Financial Crimes Division is responsible for investigating and prosecuting financial crimes. These crimes include, but are not limited to:

• Failure to Pay Child Support

• DIFS Case Referrals: Insurance fraud, Embezzlement by Insurance Agents, Unlicensed Sales of Insurance

• LARA Case Referrals: Securities Fraud, Sales of Unregistered Securities, Unlicensed Real Estate Activity, Unlicensed Accountant Activity

• Treasury Case Referrals: Tax Fraud, Tax Evasion

• Racketeering

• Embezzlement

• Larceny by Conversion

• False Pretenses

The Health Care Fraud Division (HCF) initiates Medicaid fraud civil recoveries; investigates and prosecutes Medicaid provider fraud; and investigates and prosecutes financial and physical abuse and neglect of residents in licensed residential care facilities. HCF also represents the state in Qui Tam cases filed by whistleblowers under Michigan's Medicaid False Claim Act.

The Michigan Prosecuting Attorneys Coordinating Council (PACC) is a state agency that heads the Office of Prosecuting Attorney Coordination – an autonomous entity within the Department of Attorney General. PACC is funded to provide services to Michigan’s Prosecuting Attorneys, their assistants, and other office staff. PACC's services include continuing professional education, legal publications, legal research assistance, office automation services, administration of grant-funded services, and coordination of state prosecution activities.

The Consumer and Regulatory Enforcement Bureau manages the following divisions: Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement; Children & Youth Services; Civil Rights & Elections; Corporate Oversight; Health, Education and Family Services; Labor; Licensing & Regulation and Public Service.

The Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division (AGED) serves as the principal legal counsel for the following state entities:

• Bureau of State Lottery

• Gaming Control Board

• Liquor Control Commission

• Michigan Sheriffs' Coordinating & Training Council

• Office of the Racing Commissioner

The Children & Youth Services Division represents the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services and the Wayne County child abuse and neglect civil actions in trial and appellate courts.

• Non-criminal election and campaign finance-related matters
• Lobbyist Issues
• Employment litigation for the appellate courts and at times, the Legislature and Judiciary
• Wrongful Incarceration Compensation Act
• Criminal Integrity Unit

The Corporate Oversight Division (COD) serves as the legal counsel for the following state entities:

• Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS)

• Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), including:

• Bureau of EMS, Trauma and Preparedness

• Bureau of Epidemiology and Population Health

• Office of Inspector General (OIG)

• Certificate of Need Commission

• Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau

• Department of Treasury - Bureau of Investments

Additional duties include:

• Antitrust

• Charitable Asset Sales

• Charitable Trust and Charities 

• Consumer Protection

• Franchising

The Health, Education & Family Services Division (HEFS) is responsible for: representing the Department of Health & Human Services; Department of Education; Department of Technology, Management & Budget; Department of Treasury; and the Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs. Additional duties include:

Department of Health & Human Services

• Medical Services Administration (Medicaid)

• Aging & Adult Services Agency

• Michigan Children's Services Agency

• Child Care Fund

• Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General; bankruptcy and recoupment

• Public Assistance & Welfare Programs

Department of Education

• Library of Michigan

• School Funding and Pupil Audits

• Office of the Great Start, Early Childhood Development

• Michigan School for the Deaf

• Professional Preparation

• Special Education

• Grants and Grant Monitoring

• Education Assessment & Accountability

• Career & Technical Education

• Pupil Transportation

• State Board of Education

• State Tenure Commission

• Superintendent of Public Instruction

• Financial Management/Distress for School Districts

Department of Technology, Management & Budget

• Center for Educational Performance & Information (CEPI)

• State School Reform/Redesign Officer

• School Funding

Department of Treasury

• Michigan School Bond Loan Fund

• Financial Management/Distress for School Districts

Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs

• Bureau of Community & Health Systems

The Labor Division consists of five sections: Funds Administration, State Claims, Regulatory, Claimant Benefit & Employer Liability sections.

Funds Administration

• Workers' Compensation Funds Administration, its Trustees, and Administration

• Litigate Workers’ Compensation Claims in Administrative and Judicial hearings on behalf of the Second Injury Fund, Self-Insurers’ Security Fund and Silicosis, Dust Disease and Logging Industry Compensation Fund

• Litigate Bankruptcy Claims in Federal Bankruptcy Court on behalf of the Self-Insurers’ Security Fund

State Claims

• Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches

• Defend State Agencies and Employers in Workers’ Compensation cases filed by State employees

• Represent Office of State Employer and Third Party Administrator for Workers’ Compensation

Regulatory

• Represents and provides legal advice to: the Civil Service Commission, Employment Relation Board, State Personnel Director, State Board of Ethics, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Construction Codes, Bureau of Services for Blind Persons, Michigan Employment Relations Commission, Bureau of Fire Services, Michigan Administrative Hearings System (Michigan Compensation Appellate Commission and Workers' Compensation Board of Magistrates), Workers' Compensation Agency, Department of Human Services (Michigan Rehabilitation Services and Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services), and the Department of Talent & Economic Development

Claimant Benefit & Employer Liability

• Represents the Department of Talent and Economic Development – Unemployment Insurance Agency and its Director as it pertains to implementation and administration of various Federal and State laws involving Unemployment Insurance benefits

• Serve as primary counsel to the Agency and its units including: TRA Special Programs and Unit-Trade Act Appeals, Tax Office and State Unemployment Tax Act (SUTA) Dumping/1099 Unit, RICCS (Remote Initial Claim Centers) - Benefit Appeals, and the Benefit Overpayment Collections Unit

• Represents the Agency and its units in Litigation in State and Federal Courts including bankruptcy court

• Represents the Agency in State and Federal Courts as statutory party to all actions arising under the Michigan Employment Security Act, MCL 421.1, et seq., as amended

The Licensing & Regulation Division (L&R) serves as the principal legal counsel for the following state entities:

• Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs, including:

• Bureau of Professional Licensing

• Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau (Commercial Licensing only)

• Bureau of Construction Codes

• Bureau of Community Health Systems

• Michigan Indigent Defense Commission

Additional duties include:

• Initiating administrative actions against certain licensed occupational and health professionals in the State of Michigan

• The Charitable Trust section registers, supervises, and provides the public with information on most charitable organizations operating in Michigan

The Public Service Division (PSD) serves as principal legal counsel for the Michigan Public Service Commission. Additional duties include:

• Legal advice and representation on regulatory matters involving the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

The Environment and Government Operations Bureau manages the following divisions: Collections; Environment, Natural Resources & Agriculture (ENRA); Finance; Public Administration; Corrections; Revenue and Tax; Special Litigation; State Operations; and Transportation.

The Collections Division is responsible for providing legal advice to, and representation of, the Department of Treasury's Collection Services Bureau. The Collections Division is also responsible for enforcement of the State Correctional Facility Reimbursement Act of 1935 (SCFRA).

The Corrections Division acts as general counsel to the Michigan Department of Corrections. In addition to advising the MDOC, we defend the Department, the State, and its officials in all prison litigation, including working with the MDOC on guardianships and representing the People of the State of Michigan in parole public hearings. 

The Environment, Natural Resources, & Agriculture Division (ENRA) is responsible for representing the Commission of Agriculture & Rural Development; Department of Agriculture & Rural Development; Department of Environmental Quality; Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs - Office of Land Survey and Remomumentation; Department of Natural Resources; Mackinac Island State Park Commission; Michigan State Waterways Commission; and the Utility Consumer Participation Board. Additional duties include:

Attorney General Designee To/As

• Emergency Management Coordinator

• Great Lakes Commission

• Great Lakes Fishery Trust

• Michigan Petroleum Pipeline Task Force

• Natural Resources Damages Assessment Trustee

Native American Affairs

• Handles or assists other divisions in matters involving federal Indian law issues, including treaty rights, jurisdiction over Native American tribal members and lands, and Indians gaming issues

Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs

• Michigan Agency for Energy

• Energy Revolving Loan Fund

Department of Natural Resources

• Mackinac Island State Park Commission Bonds

• Michigan Forest Finance Authority

• State Park Bonds 

Department of Talent & Economic Development

• Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority

• Michigan State Housing Development Authority, including the former:

• Michigan Broadband Development Authority 

• Michigan Strategic Fund

Department of Transportation

• State Trunk Line Bond/Note Borrowings

• Comprehensive Transportation Bond/Note Borrowings

• Grant Anticipation Bonds

Department of Treasury

• State Building Authority

• Michigan Finance Authority, including the former:

• Michigan Higher Education Assistance Authority

• Michigan Higher Education Facilities Authority

• Michigan Higher Education Student Loan Authority

• Michigan Municipal Bond Authority

• Michigan Public Educational Facilities Authority

• Michigan State Hospital Finance Authority

• Michigan Tobacco Settlement Finance Authority

• Michigan Underground Storage Tank Facilities Assurance Authority

• State of Michigan General Obligations Bonds/Notes, including:

• All voter-approved bonding initiatives

• Clean Michigan Initiative Bonds

• Environmental Protection Bonds

• State School Bond Loan Fund

• State cash flow borrowings

• State of Michigan Retirement Systems Investments, including:

• Judges Retirement System

• Public School Employees' Retirement System

• State Employees' Retirement System

• State Police Retirement System 

• Surplus Funds Investments

• Municipal and Local Government Affairs

• Local audits and finance matters for the Department of Treasury

• Local Emergency Financial Assistance Loan Board

Attorney General Designee on the State of Michigan Retirement Board and Michigan State Police Retirement System Board.

Pursuant to Act 194 of 1947, specifically MCL 720.201, "[t]here shall be a public administrator for the state of Michigan, to be known in this act as the 'state public administrator.'" The Governor appoints the state public administrator upon the recommendation of the Attorney General.

The State Public Administrator has oversight over the appointed county public administrators' activities that effectuate disposition of the decedent's body and manage the determination/collection/liquidation/distribution of any assets in the decedent's estate.  Attorneys acting as county public administrators have powers and duties primarily related to intestate decedent estates where there are apparently no known heirs.

County Public Administrators

The Revenue and Tax Division acts a general counsel to the Department of Treasury, defends the State in claims in involving the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, defends tobacco assessments and provides collection counsel to the Department of Health and Human Services. Additional duties include:

Department of Natural Resources

• Office of Property Management (Tax Reverted Property Issues)

Department of Treasury

• Treasury's General Counsel

• Administrative Services Bureau - Unclaimed Property Division

• Bureau of Local Government Services (Assessment & Certification, Property Services, and State Tax Commission)

• Represents Treasury as the FGU for eight Michigan counties

• Office of Taxpayer Advocate Executive Office

• Bureau of Tax Policy (Defense of state tax assessments and tax appeals)

• Office of Collections, including:

• Bankruptcies – All Counties in the Western District of Michigan and States west of the Mississippi

• Collection actions in all State Courts – defending policies and procedures, collections in the western counties of Michigan

• Garnishments (3rd Party)

• Office of Finance and Accounting Division

• Student Financial Services Bureau (Michigan Guaranty Agency – delinquent loans)

• Tax Compliance Bureau – audit and assessment defense

• Tax Processing Bureau

Tobacco Litigation

• Enforcement of Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement

• Defending Tobacco Tax Assessments

• Defending Tobacco Licensing Actions

Department of Health & Human Services

• General Collection Advice

• Collection of improperly received  benefits

• Defense and collection of Office of Inspector General Audit results

The Special Litigation Division is the ratepayer advocate in electric and natural gas rate cases and other proceeding before the Public Service Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as well as state and federal courts and agencies. The Division also has the responsibility of representing the consumer interest in utility energy cost recovery proceedings conducted by the Public Service Commission pursuant to 1982 PA 304. In addition, the division handles miscellaneous matters at the direction of the Attorney General.

The State Operations Division has a diverse legal practice and provides legal support and representation to a variety of state agencies. The Division provides training and representation for all of state government on matters related to FOIA and OMA. The Division also houses the Department IT and eDiscovery units and handles matters related to municipal and governmental affairs. Our assignments include the following:

Attorney General

• Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

• Open Meetings Act

• Internal Procurement

• Internal Information Technology

• eDiscovery

Department of Technology, Management & Budget

• Center for Shared Solutions

• Chief Technology Officer

• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection

• Facilities and Business Services Administration

• Office of Enterprise Development

• Office of Support Services

• Procurement

• State Budget Office

• Office of Children's Ombudsman

• Office of Retirement Services

• State Administrative Board

• Michigan Public Safety Communications System (MPSCS)

• DTMB Fleet (automobile negligence)

Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity

• Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority

• Michigan State Housing Development Authority

• Michigan Homeowner Assistance Nonprofit Corporation

Department of Natural Resources

• State leases and real estate conveyances to the Office of Land & Facilities

Department of State Police

• Tort defense and employment

Department of Treasury

• Michigan Education Savings Program

• Michigan Education Trust

Governor

• City and Village Charters

• Charter Amendments

• Intergovernmental Agreements

• Incompatibility and Conflict of Interest

• Removal from Office

The Transportation Division is responsible for being the Attorney General's designee to the Transportation and Natural Resources Committee and representing the Department of Transportation. Additional duties include:

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

• Administrative regulatory matters

• Aeronautics Commission

• Contract Litigation for or against those agencies

• General Counsel for all client agencies

• International Bridge Administration

• Mackinac Bridge Authority

• Small Claims with State Administrative Board

• State Transportation Commission

• Tort litigation for or against those agencies