Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) Director Janet Olszewski has named Brenda Lawson Legislative Liaison for MDCH, which became effective Monday, Jan. 12.

Lawson will serve as the liaison officer for the department with members of the Michigan House of Representatives, Michigan Senate, legislative staff, representatives in the Governor's office, the Michigan Probate Judges' Association and the Prosecuting Attorney Association.

She replaces Curtis Hertel Jr., who was recently elected as the Ingham County Register of Deeds.

"Brenda Lawson is a strong addition to our department because she brings a well-rounded background from both the legal and the health fields," Olszewski said. "As a nurse and a practicing attorney, Ms. Lawson will bring a broader perspective when helping to develop health policy for Michigan residents."

Prior to joining MDCH, Lawson, 54, served as a policy analyst and legal advisor at the House Democratic Policy Office for four years. There she was responsible for developing all health policy legislation and providing analysis to Caucus members. She specialized in health policy and the MDCH budget as well as family and children issues and the Department of Human Services (DHS) budget.

Prior to her work with the House Democratic Policy Office, Lawson was an associate attorney at the Sinas Dramis Law Firm in Lansing. She received her Juris Doctor in 2000 from Michigan State University College of Law.

Lawson worked as a staff and charge nurse in the Emergency Department of Ingham Regional Medical Center where she also served as a clinical risk specialist in the Risk Management Department. She also worked as a nurse clinician in Sparrow Hospital's Community Health Education Department and has served as an instructor at Lansing Community College.

Born and raised in Southeast Michigan, Lawson resides in Mason and has three adult children: Nik, Jon and Colette.