Cole V. Lussier

Cole is a Member in Dickinson Wright’s Lansing office, where he represents clients in government affairs, regulatory matters, and litigation. A former General Counsel to the Michigan Senate, he brings firsthand experience navigating state and local government and advises clients on matters involving legislation, regulatory action, and public policy.

Cole works with businesses, trade associations, political organizations, universities, and public bodies on pending legislation, enforcement actions, agency rules, and complex litigation. His experience includes energy and utility matters, election and campaign finance laws, state licensing and investigations, health policy and insurance, and municipal law.

Legislative and Regulatory

• Provided legislative counsel to financial services industry trade association and advocacy regarding pending legislation.
• Advised nonprofits, corporations, candidates, and political committees regarding all facets of Michigan campaign finance and election law.
• Successfully represented state house candidate in all phases of a 2022 recount.
• Counseled major utility customers and renewable energy developers regarding Michigan Public Service Commission regulations and proceedings.
• Provided strategic counsel to developers regarding state grant issues.
• Advised on the drafting and negotiation of bipartisan legislative measures that established the Michigan Strategic Outreach and Reserve Fund, formed the Opioid Healing and Advisory Fund and Opioid Advisory Commission, and election law reforms that allowed pre-processing of ballots prior to the November 2020 election.
• Advised state office holders regarding financial disclosure requirements.
• Counsel to municipal utilities regarding state constitutional and statutory issues.
• Counsel to state trade association regarding licensing, enforcement, and legislative strategy.

Litigation

• Obtained dismissal and published decision of the Michigan Court of Appeals rejecting a customer poaching lawsuit brought against a municipal utility client.
• Successfully defended a judicial candidate in lawsuit seeking to enjoin the use of his political advertisements.
• Served as amicus counsel on behalf of national trade association in a Michigan Supreme Court case considering issues of legislative process and separation of powers.
• Drafted successful amicus brief on behalf of state trade association in Michigan Court of Appeals case involving complex statutory provisions of Michigan Occupational Code.
• Managed high-profile litigation on behalf of the state Senate involving the Open Meetings Act, election law, and executive orders.
• Member of successful litigation team that obtained declaratory judgment regarding legislation authorizing a utility tunnel at the Straits of Mackinac.
• Part of a litigation team defending the State of Michigan against challenge to legislative maps.
• Trial and litigation counsel for municipality in $12 million inverse condemnation case.

• The Unenviable but Inevitable Document Dump, Brandon Hubbard, Nolan Moody, Cole Lussier, 33-1 Mich Defense Quarterly (2016)