Law School Deans
Our Deans have shaped Detroit Mercy Law since the beginning in 1912.
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List in Order
Law School Deans Through the Years Years Serving as Dean Deans 2025-Present Nicholas J. Schroeck 2024-2025 Nicholas J. Schroeck (Interim Dean) 2021-2024 Jelani Jefferson Exum 2014-2021 Phyllis L. Crocker 2013-2014 Troy L. Harris (Interim Dean) 2009-2013 Lloyd A. Semple 2002-2009 Mark C. Gordon 1995-2002 Stephen A. Mazurak 1982-1995 Bernard Dobransk 1981-1982 Stephen A. Mazurak (Interim Dean) 1979-1981 Carl M. Selinger 1976-1979 Richard A. Seid 1974-1976 Joseph Dante Grano 1972-1974 Richard L. Braun 1971-1972 William T. Downs 1969-1971 Brian G. Brockway 1968-1969 Paul P. Harbrecht, S.J. 1967-1968 Philip Colista 1964-1967 Paul P. Harbrecht, S.J. 1960-1964 Louis H. Charbonneau, Sr. 1955-1960 David Cowan Bayne, S.J. 1932-1955 Daniel J. McKenna 1928-1932 Peter J. Monaghan 1927-1928 Hon. John P. Scallen 1921-1927 Hon. P. J. M. Hally 1912-1921 Hon. George S. Hosmer
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About Dean Schroeck
Nicholas J. Schroeck was the Interim Dean of University of Detroit Mercy School of Law from 2024-2025 and the 25th Dean from 2025-Present.
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About Dean Jefferson Exum
Jelani Jefferson Exum became the 24th Dean of University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in July 2021. She joined the Detroit Mercy Law community as the Philip J. McElroy Professor of Law in 2019. She is a nationally recognized expert in sentencing law and procedure.
Dean Jefferson Exum has a painting that hangs on the second floor of Detroit Mercy Law that was painted by Artist Robert Arte O’Quinn and was a gift given by the 2022-2023 Black Law Students Association.
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About Dean Crocker
Phyllis L. Crocker was the first women to serve as Dean at Detroit Mercy Law. She became the 23rd Dean of University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in July 2014 and retired from the position in July 2021. Dean Crocker is a nationally recognized authority on the death penalty.
Dean Crocker has a painting that hangs on the second floor of Detroit Mercy Law that was painted by Artist Henry Heading and was a gift given by the 2020-2021 Student Bar Association.
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About Dean Harris
Troy L. Harris was the Interim Dean of University of Detroit Mercy School of Law from 2013-2014.
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About Dean Semple
Lloyd A. Semple was the 21st dean of University of Detroit Mercy School of Law from 2009-2013.
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About Dean Gordon
Mark C. Gordon was the 20th dean of University of Detroit Mercy School of Law from 2002-2009.
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About Dean Dobranski
Bernard Dobranski was the 18th dean of University of Detroit Mercy School of Law from 1982-1995.
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About Dean Mazurak
Stephen A. Mazurak became interested in the law while an undergraduate student at the University of Nebraska. He worked at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. plant in Lincoln, Neb., and it was the less-than-impressive way the company handled a strike that sparked a lifelong passion of labor and employment law. After practicing law for a decade, he joined the faculty at University of Detroit where, over the course of 35 years he taught contracts and labor law, served as acting dean (1981-1982) and dean (1995-2002) from before retiring in 2015.
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About Dean Selinger
Carl M. Selinger was the 16th dean of University of Detroit Mercy School of Law from 1979-1981.
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About Dean Seid
Richard A. Seid was the 15th dean of University of Detroit Mercy School of Law from 1976-1979.
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About Dean Grano
Joseph Dante Grano was the 14th dean of University of Detroit Mercy School of Law from 1974-1976.
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About Dean Braun
Richard L. Braun was the 13th dean of University of Detroit Mercy School of Law from 1972-1974.
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About Dean Downs
William T. Downs was the 12th dean of University of Detroit Mercy School of Law from 1971-1972.
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About Dean Brockway
Brian G. Brockway was the 11th dean of University of Detroit Mercy School of Law from 1969-1971.
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About Dean Colista
Philip Colista was the ninth dean of University of Detroit Mercy School of Law from 1967-1968.
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About Dean Harbrecht
Paul P. Harbrecht, S.J. was the eighth and tenth dean of University of Detroit Mercy School of Law from 1964-1967 and then from 1968-1969.
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About Dean Charbonneau
Louis H. Charbonneau, Sr. was the seventh dean of University of Detroit Mercy School of Law from 1960-1964.
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About Dean Bayne
David Cowan Bayne, S.J. was the sixth dean of University of Detroit Mercy School of Law from 1955-1960.
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About Dean McKenna
Daniel J. McKenna was the first full-time dean at the law school, serving in that capacity 1932-1955. He received his law degree from Harvard Law School. He served in the Army during WWII, during which time Merle E. Brake served as Acting Dean.
Dean McKenna has a painting that hangs on the second floor of Detroit Mercy Law that was painted by Artist John S. Coppin.
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About Dean Monaghan
Peter J. Monaghan practiced law from 1902-1942, including while serving as dean from 1926-1932. At the University’s Golden Jubilee celebration in 1927, Dean Monaghan, along with former Dean Scallen, was one of sixteen prominent citizens to receive a Doctor of Laws degree from University of Detroit. After serving as dean, the University was one of his clients at Monaghan, Crowley, Clark, and Kellogg.
Dean Monaghan has a painting that hangs on the second floor of Detroit Mercy Law that was painted by Artist John S. Coppin.
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About Dean Scallen
Hon. John P. Scallen served as Assistant Dean and Acting Dean from 1921-1926. At the University’s Golden Jubilee celebration in 1927, Judge Scallen, along with Dean Monaghan, was one of sixteen prominent citizens to receive a Doctor of Laws degree from University of Detroit. Dean Scallen was elected to the Record’s Court and served as a judge of that court from 1930-1968. He was active in civic life, serving as President of the University of Detroit Alumni Association, a life member of the NAACP, a member Roundtable of Catholics, Protestants, and Jews, and founder of the Manresa Layman Retreat.
Judge Scallen has a painting that hangs on the first floor in the Atrium of Detroit Mercy Law that was painted by Artist John S. Coppin.
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About Dean Hally
Hon. P. J. M. Hally was the second dean of University of Detroit Mercy School of Law from 1921-1927.
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About Dean Hosmer
Hon. George S. Hosmer was the first dean of University of Detroit School of Law from 1912-1921. Dean Hosmer received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan, read for the bar at Griffin and Dickinson, and was admitted to the bar in 1878. He became a judge in the Wayne County Circuit Court in 1888 and held that office until 1921 when he died at the age of 66. He received an honorary degree from University of Detroit in 1916.
Hosmer has a painting that hangs on the second floor in Detroit Mercy Law that is a copy of the original painting that hangs in the Prismatic Club of Detroit. It was a gift from Judge William J. Giovan.