[3] After seven years in public and private practice, he returned to Loyola Law School to teach.

He was appointed senior vice president of LMU and dean of the law school in 2000.

During his tenure as dean of Loyola Law School, Burcham forged strategic improvements in the curriculum.

He raised money to establish seven new faculty chairs, as well as paying for and completing the Girardi Advocacy Center and its flagship classroom, the Robinson Courtroom.

[5] He served as the law school dean until he was named LMU's executive vice president and provost in 2008.