Cole assists clients in government affairs, regulated industries, and litigation. He has particular experience in matters involving legislation, constitutional issues, and administrative rules.
Previously, Cole served as general counsel for the Michigan Senate, where he oversaw litigation and advised on legislation involving elections, economic development, health policy, appropriations, and many other issues. He is able to guide clients through a range of complex issues that concern state and local government.
Cole began his legal career at Dickinson Wright as a litigation associate, where he represented clients in commercial and constitutional cases.
Education & Credentials
Education
University of Michigan Law School
J.D.James Madison College, Michigan State University
B.A., Political Theory & International Relations- With Honor
- Phi Beta Kappa
Bar Admission
Prominent Assignments
- Served as counsel to Senate committees and joint committee of state legislature providing oversight of state agency rulemaking.
- Managed response to external investigations and third-party discovery on behalf of the Senate, including inquiry of U.S. congressional committee that subpoenaed multiple senators.
- Provided counsel on bipartisan legislative measures that established the Michigan Strategic Outreach and Reserved Fund, formed the Opioid Healing and Advisory Fund and Opioid Advisory Commission, and allowed for earlier processing of absentee ballots by local clerks.
- Managed litigation on behalf of the Senate involving the Open Meetings Act, election law, and executive orders.
- Defended legislature in lawsuit challenging its amendment of citizen-initiated laws.
- 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.
- Defended municipality through trial against $12 million inverse condemnation claim arising from flood.
- Advised municipal, university, gaming, and energy clients on various constitutional, statutory, and regulatory issues.
- Represented clients in numerous commercial litigation matters involving breach of fiduciary duties, tortious interference, breach of contract, fraud, and conversion.
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
Publications/Presentations
- The Unenviable but Inevitable Document Dump, Brandon Hubbard, Nolan Moody, Cole Lussier, 33-1 Mich Defense Quarterly (2016)