Attorney General Dana Nessel briefs House Judiciary Committee on department priorities, litigation and victim services

Attorney General Dana Nessel told the Michigan House Judiciary Committee that the Department of Attorney General represents the state and its people, outlined the office’s major programs and litigation results, and identified legislative priorities for the session.

Nessel said the department handles a large caseload, produces significant recoveries for the state, and provides services including consumer protection, criminal prosecutions, elder-abuse investigations and specialized units such as a retail-theft task force and a new parole-appeals unit. She also described ongoing work on opioid settlements, human trafficking, guardianship reform and consumer‑protection litigation.

Nessel opened by describing the office’s role: “I am the lawyer for the state of Michigan, for the governor, but also for the people,” and stated the office’s annual caseload and financial impact. She said the department handles roughly 48,000 cases a year (not including investigations, expungement requests or trainings),…