LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has announced that two long-time prosecutors at the Department of Attorney General, Robyn N. Liddell (JPG) and Melissa Palepu (JPG), have been recognized with distinguished awards honoring their outstanding contributions to the legal profession and the people of Michigan. 

“Robyn and Melissa exemplify the very best of the Department of Attorney General,” Nessel said. “Their tireless work to protect Michigan residents and uphold the law makes a real difference every day, and these honors are well deserved.” 

Lidell, Division Chief of the Criminal Trials Division, has been named to the Michigan Lawyers Weekly Class of 2025 “Influential Women of Law.” This recognition honors women attorneys and judges for their excellent work on behalf of the justice system and for their clients, their commitment to community service, and their leadership in the profession. 

Liddell joined the Department of Attorney General in 2014 as an Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Division and was promoted to First Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Trials and Appeals Division in 2020 before her appointment to Division Chief in 2023. In her current role, she handles the investigation and prosecution of a broad array of criminal matters, including multi-jurisdictional or complex cases involving sexual assaults and intimate partner violence, police misconduct, and public integrity.

Before joining the Department, Liddell served as an Assistant Prosecutor for the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office where she handled domestic violence, sex crimes, and child abuse cases. She also provided support and crisis intervention at Ann Arbor's Domestic Violence Project. Liddell earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in African American Studies from Oberlin College before graduating from Michigan State University Law School.  

Palepu, Attorney Specialist in Human Trafficking and Child Abuse with the Department, has been honored with the International Association of Prosecutors Special Achievement Award (PDF) for her work to combat child sexual exploitation and human trafficking in Michigan. The award recognizes prosecutors who demonstrate special dedication in the face of adversity and whose contributions warrant special recognition on the global stage. 

Palepu has played a pivotal role in prosecuting human trafficking cases for the Department. She also serves as the Chair of the Michigan Human Trafficking Commission.  

Palepu previously served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office and was the General Counsel for the Wayne County Land Bank. She is an alumna of the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science and History. She then received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.