Mike Brock

Robert “Mike” Brock is a nationally recognized trial lawyer with 25 years of experience handling high-stakes, bet-the-business litigation. His practice focuses on representing pharmaceuticals and life sciences companies, particularly in product liability and mass tort cases. He has tried cases in a wide range of areas and has represented clients in antitrust, malpractice, toxic tort and securities class action litigation, as well as in other types of cases.

Mike has represented companies in some of the most high-stakes litigation in recent history. He currently serves as lead trial lawyer for BP in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill litigation. His trial performance has been highly praised and widely reported in the press. According to the Financial Times, one legal professional said that “in a courtroom full of top-tier legal talent,” Mike was particularly impressive, delivering “one of the most methodical and skillful cross-examinations I have seen” in 25 years.

Mike has also been exceptionally successful in his representations of leading pharmaceutical companies in product liability cases. He secured jury verdicts for Merck in a Fosamax® case in New York City and for AstraZeneca in its first Seroquel® lawsuit in New Brunswick, NJ. He also served as lead trial counsel to Merck in several Vioxx® cases, securing wins in Alabama, California, Florida and New Jersey. Recently, he has served as lead trial counsel for Pfizer in its Chantix® litigation and for Boehringer Ingelheim in litigation concerning Pradaxa®.

Prior to joining Kirkland, Mike was a partner at Covington & Burling LLP, where he was the chair of their product liability and mass torts practice.

Experience prior to joining Kirkland 

• In re: Oil Spill by the Oil Rig Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico April 20, 2010 (MDL 2179) – Lead trial counsel for BP in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill litigation. In the civil litigation trial that began on February 25, 2013, Mike led the trial team that defended BP from claims by the U.S. Government, certain Gulf States, and various BP contractors. 

• Mary Jo Barnes v. Merck & Co. – Serving as national trial counsel for Merck in the company’s Fosamax litigation. The Fosamax litigation currently involves thousands of plaintiffs and is subject to two multi-district litigations – one addressing cases alleging osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) (Graves) and another involving lawsuits alleging femur fractures that is slated to be tried in Alabama in 2013 (Barnes).

Education

• University of Alabama School of Law J.D.1984
• University of Alabama B.S., Business and Commerce1981

All Southeastern Conference Offensive Lineman