James H. Brickley was born in Flint, Mich. on Nov. 15, 1928 and moved shortly thereafter to Detroit with his family. He attended The University of Detroit High School and graduated from St. Michaels High School in Toronto in 1947. After earning his Batchelor of Philosophy and Law degrees from the University of Detroit in 1951 and 1954 respectively, Brickley attended New York University where he earned a master's degree in public administrative law in 1958. Following four years of service as a Special Agent for the FBI, Brickley entered private law practice in 1959, a profession he continued until his election in 1961 to the Detroit Common Council. At thirty-two years of age, James Brickley was one of the youngest men ever elected to the Council. He resigned from the Common Council in 1967, when he was named Chief Assistant Prosecutor of Wayne County. He was appointed U.S. Attorney for Eastern Michigan in 1969, and served as a part-time lecturer in government at the University of Detroit, Wayne State University and the University of Michigan. He was President of Eastern Michigan University from 1875-1978. Brickley resigned as U.S. Attorney in August 1970 to accept the Republican Party's nomination to run for Lieutenant Governor with Gov. William G. Milliken. They won a four year term of office on Nov. 3, 1970. Brickley served again as Lieutenant Governor from 1979-1982. He was appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court in 1982 and was elected twice, serving until 1999, acting as chief justice in 1995-1996. Brickley died in Traverse City, Mich. on Sept. 28, 2001.
From the description of James H. Brickley papers, 1928-2001. (Detroit Public Library). WorldCat record id: 297415185
