John Scherbarth

John Scherbarth retired from the Michigan Department of Attorney General in 2015 after serving 32 years. He had a varied career with the Michigan Attorney General serving four different Attorneys General including the current Secretary of the US Department of Energy, Jennifer Granholm. He was hired in 1983 after five years in private practice and two years with the federal government in Washington DC. He spent one of those years in New York City attempting to break into the field of Theatrical Law.

Upon being appointed an Assistant Attorney General by Frank Kelley, the longest serving Attorney General in the history of the US, John spent four years with the AG’s special litigation division representing utility rate payers in administrative proceedings before the Michigan Public Service Commission. Seven years was spent in the AG’s insurance and banking division representing the Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Services in state courts and administrative agencies.

The remainder of John’s time with the Michigan AGO was with the Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture Division and the Mackinac Island State Park Commission. The work in this field included representation of the Michigan Low Level Radioactive Waste Authority, Michigan Toxic Substance Control Commission, Michigan Air Pollution Control Commission, and Michigan Water Resources Commission. Representation included provision of legal advice, negotiations, litigation in state and federal courts and state administrative forums.

John has taken his expertise in environmental law to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office to provide assistance to a team of assistant attorney generals, investigators, and paralegals on a large case addressing climate change issues.