Dana Nessel

Dana Nessel, Michigan’s 54th Attorney General, is an accomplished trial lawyer and civil rights advocate recognized for her leadership in justice and equality. She began her career as an Assistant Prosecutor in the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, where she served for more than a decade, handling high-profile cases in the Child & Family Abuse Bureau, Police Conduct Review Team, and Auto Theft Unit. Her extensive experience prosecuting homicide, arson, and criminal sexual conduct cases established her reputation as a determined and ethical prosecutor.

Nessel earned her J.D. from Wayne State University Law School and has since demonstrated a lifelong dedication to protecting the rights of Michigan residents. In 2005, she founded her own firm, where she defended hundreds of indigent clients and represented individuals in civil rights actions against government misconduct. Her practice also included family law, probate matters, and driver’s license restoration, showcasing her wide-ranging legal acumen.

A pioneer in LGBTQ rights litigation, Nessel gained national attention for landmark cases advancing equality in Michigan. In Harmon v. Davis, she secured custodial rights for non-biological same-sex parents, and in DeBoer v. Snyder, she successfully challenged Michigan’s ban on same-sex marriage and adoption. The case later became part of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

As founder of the Fair Michigan Foundation and co-creator of the Fair Michigan Justice Project, Dana Nessel has led groundbreaking efforts to prosecute hate crimes against the LGBTQ community. Her unwavering pursuit of justice and her transformative civil rights advocacy have earned her multiple honors, including the Champion of Justice Award from the Michigan State Bar and Woman of the Year by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney General, Attorney General’s Office, Michigan
• Member, Michigan State Bar Association
• Former Assistant Prosecutor, Prosecutor’s Office, Wayne County

Licensed State

• Michigan

Education

• Wayne State University Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Michigan
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges