Detroit Mercy Law appoints J. Richard Broughton to McElroy Professorship

University of Detroit Mercy School of Law appointed J. Richard Broughton, Associate Dean of Faculty Research and Development and Professor of Law, as the Philip J. McElroy Professor of Law, in recognition of his distinguished contributions to legal scholarship and teaching. 

“Professor Broughton exemplifies our mission of educating the complete lawyer through his scholarship, teaching, leadership, and service. This appointment recognizes his contributions to legal education and the profession,” said Nicholas Schroeck, dean of the School of Law. 

Professor Broughton is an expert in criminal and constitutional law. His scholarship focuses on the separation of powers, constitutional law and politics, and crime policy. A member of the faculty since 2009, he has received numerous teaching awards and has served in numerous leadership and committee roles. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and affiliated with The Federalist Society and The Alexander Hamilton Society. 

Prior to joining legal academia, Professor Broughton served in the Criminal Division of the United States Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. His work involved federal prosecutions of violent crime related to gang activity, drug trafficking, organized crime, and racketeering. He also served as Assistant Attorney General of Texas for Capital and Post-Conviction Litigation, as a law clerk to the presiding judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, and as a law clerk for the House Judiciary Committee during the 106th Congress. 

The McElroy Professorship appointment is at the discretion of the dean of the School of Law. Professor Broughton is the third recipient, following Larry Dubin, Emeritus Professor of Law, and Jelani Jefferson Exum, former Dean and Professor of Law. 

The endowed professorial chair honors Mr. McElroy’s lifelong commitment to education. Mr. McElroy participated in the rigorous and distinguished Jesuit academic tradition. He received four degrees from University of Detroit Mercy, including his law degree in 1932. His commitment to education for himself and others was long and steadfast. He was a tutor while in college, he taught Physics at University of Detroit High School for sixteen years, and he trained new associates in his law firm. Mr. McElroy has made a lasting and profound impact on the School of Law. The McElroy trust also supports student scholarship and the annual McElroy Lecture on Law and Religion, which brings in top legal scholars to discuss contemporary issues that intersect law and religion. 

Learn more at: law.udmercy.edu.