Lawyer Bio : James Wesley Cooper Broughton*

 

*Jimmy is not a licensed attorney. His work is supervised by a licensed attorney in the firm’s Washington, DC office. Jimmy Broughton joined Womble Carlyle in 2003 after nearly 12 years on the staff of U.S. Senator Jesse Helms. Jimmy served as Chief of Staff to Senator Helms from 1994 until the end of the Senator’s term in 2003. In that capacity, he managed and oversaw the Senator’s Washington and North Carolina offices with a staff of more than 45 people.
 
Since joining Womble Carlyle, Jimmy has worked on behalf of governmental and corporate clients to advance their agendas at the state and federal level. For example, the Government Relations Group represented the State of North Carolina in its successful defense of the military bases in North Carolina during the BRAC 2005 process. This multi-year effort brought together federal, state and local officials who participated in many hearings before the BRAC Commission.

During the historic 2011 Long Session of the North Carolina General Assembly, Jimmy focused on state-level work where he was involved in the passage of key legislation affecting the business and non-profit communities.  For example, he worked on behalf of a charter school operator on legislation that lifted the cap on the number of charter schools in North Carolina.  Further, he worked on key conservation initiatives affecting land trusts across the state.  

 Jimmy regularly provides strategic advice to companies proposing to locate or expand in North Carolina and acts for them in advancing their interests before the North Carolina General Assembly.
 
During the nine years Jimmy served as Senator Helms’ Chief of Staff, Jimmy was the Senator’s principal spokesman and had daily communication with the members of the Washington and North Carolina press corps. He helped coordinate all executive nominations including the federal judicial nominations affecting North Carolina. Jimmy was the Senator’s liaison to the White House during the selection and confirmation of North Carolina’s three new U.S. Attorneys and U.S. Marshals in 2001. He has an extensive understanding of the nomination and confirmation process.
 
As a key member of the Senator’s staff, Jimmy managed his legislative agenda. He was especially responsible for projects across North Carolina and worked closely with the Governor’s office and leaders of the General Assembly in Raleigh.
 
When North Carolina was hit with a series of devastating hurricanes, Jimmy helped coordinate the federal response, working closely with state and local officials. The Senator’s office organized numerous meetings of the North Carolina Congressional Delegation that brought the Delegation together in an unprecedented way.
 
He was the Senator’s Political Designee and was integrally involved in his 1996 reelection campaign. Jimmy understands North Carolina’s complex political structure and history. 
 
Jimmy is a native of Raleigh and was graduated from The McCallie School and Wake Forest University. 
 
Prior Government Experience
 
Chief of Staff, Office of U.S. Senator Jesse Helms, 1994-2002; Press Secretary, Office of U.S. Senator Jesse Helms, 1993-1994; Legislative Correspondent, Office of U.S. Senator Jesse Helms, 1992-1993; Correspondence Manager, Office of U.S. Senator Jesse Helms, 1991-1992.