Overview

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 is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

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®.

Mike is recognized by various legal publications as a first-class trial lawyer in products liability and mass tort litigation. He has been selected as a “leading lawyer” by Chambers USA, America’s Leading Lawyers for Business every year since 2009, and the 2023 edition describes him as “a seasoned trial lawyer who boasts impressive experience representing a range of defendants in high-stakes product liability trials.” Sources for the guide say he is “one of the elite trial lawyers in the U.S.” with a “great courtroom presence” and an ability to “take complex issues and break them down in a way that’s accessible and understandable” and is “a first-rate first-chair trial lawyer” who “is front and center” in major disputes. He was also listed in the 2015–2024 editions of Chambers Global, The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business, most recently ranked in Band 1 for Litigation: Trial Lawyers. The Legal 500 U.S. selected Mike to the “Hall of Fame” in 2021–2024 and as a “leading lawyer” in 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2020 for Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, and singled him out as a “renowned trial lawyer.” He is also recognized by Benchmark Litigation as a “National Star.”

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.

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Recognition

Chambers Global, Litigation: Trial Lawyers (USA) (2015–2024)

Chambers USA, Litigation: Trial Lawyers (2014–2024)

Chambers USA, Product Liability (2009–2024)

Benchmark Litigation, National Star (2013–2014, 2016–2025); Local Litigation Star (2016–2025); Top 100 Trial Lawyer (2019–2025); General Commercial, Product Liability, Professional Liability, Securities

Lawdragon, “500 Leading Litigators” (2024)

Best Lawyers in America, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2013–2023)

The Legal 500 U.S., “Hall of Fame,” Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices - Defense (2021–2024)

The Legal 500 U.S., Recognized in Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices - Defense (2015–2024); Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action: Automotive/Transport (2018–2021, 2023–2024); Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action: Consumer Products (including Tobacco) (2019–2024); Product Liability, Mass Tort And Class Action - Defense: Toxic Tort (2020–2024) 

Washington DC Super Lawyers, Products: Defense (2011–2016)

LMG Life Sciences Awards, shortlisted for Product Liability Attorney of the Year (2013)

LMG Life Sciences, "Life Science Star" (2013)

The Practical Law Company (PLC), Products Liability (2012)

Memberships & Affiliations

Fellow, International Academy of Trial Lawyers

Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers

Member, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • 2010District of Columbia
  • 1984Alabama

Courts

  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama

Education

  • University of Alabama School of LawJ.D.1984
  • University of AlabamaB.S., Business and Commerce1981
    All Southeastern Conference Offensive Lineman