Cole assists clients in government affairs, regulated industries, and litigation. He has particular experience in matters involving legislation, state constitutional issues, administrative rules, and other regulatory matters.
Cole previously served as general counsel to the Michigan Senate, where he oversaw litigation, advised on legislation involving election law, economic development, health policy and appropriations, and provided counsel regarding Senate operations. He is able to guide clients through a range of complex issues that concern state and local government. Cole regularly assists clients dealing with election law and campaign finance matters, energy and utility issues, state enforcement actions, and pending legislation.
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
Legislative and Regulatory
• Provide campaign finance and election law counsel to Michigan nonprofits and other entities.
• Served as counsel to Senate committees and joint committee of state legislature providing oversight of state agency rulemaking.
• Provided counsel on 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 ahead of the November 2020 election.
• Counseled Senate regarding passage of joint resolution to amend Michigan Constitution to require financial disclosures by legislators and statewide officers and reform legislative term limits.
• Provide legislative counsel to financial services industry trade association and advocacy regarding pending legislation.
• Represented clients in the energy and utility space, including contested cases before the Michigan Public Service Commission.
Litigation
• 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.
• 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.
• Represented clients in numerous commercial litigation matters involving breach of fiduciary duties, tortious interference, breach of contract, fraud, and conversion.
• Provide campaign finance and election law counsel to Michigan nonprofits and other entities.
• Served as counsel to Senate committees and joint committee of state legislature providing oversight of state agency rulemaking.
• Provided counsel on 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 ahead of the November 2020 election.
• Counseled Senate regarding passage of joint resolution to amend Michigan Constitution to require financial disclosures by legislators and statewide officers and reform legislative term limits.
• Provide legislative counsel to financial services industry trade association and advocacy regarding pending legislation.
• Represented clients in the energy and utility space, including contested cases before the Michigan Public Service Commission.
Litigation
• 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.
• 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.
• 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)