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.
Experience
Representative Matters
Prior to joining Kirkland, Mike was involved in the following representations:
- 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).
- Graves v. Merck & Co., Inc. (November 2010, Southern District of New York) - Lead trial counsel in three-week Fosamax trial resulting in defense verdict.
- Baker v. AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP (March 2010, Middlesex County, New Brunswick, New Jersey) - Trial counsel in the first Seroquel case, resulting in defense verdict after four-week trial.
- Kozic v. Merck & Co., Inc. (October 2007, Hillsboro County, Tampa, Florida) - Lead trial counsel in the last Vioxx case to be tried, resulting in defense verdict after three-week jury trial.
- Albright v. Merck & Co., Inc. (December 2006, Jefferson County, Alabama) - Lead counsel in four-week trial that resulted in a defense verdict for Merck.
- Cona & McDarby v. Merck & Co., Inc. (April 2006, Atlantic County, New Jersey) - Lead trial counsel in a seven-week trial which resulted in defense verdict in Cona case.
- Berwick v. Merck & Co., Inc. (March 2007, Los Angeles County, California) - Trial counsel in case that was dismissed with prejudice during jury selection in March 2007.
- Defense verdict in a case brought by parents of a minor child for deafness that resulted from the administration of Gentamicin therapy.
- Defense verdict for five physicians sued for violation of the antitrust laws and for interference with contract.
- Defense verdict for hospital in multiple plaintiff case involving allegations of race and disability discrimination.
- Defense verdict for orthopedic surgeon charged with medical negligence which resulted in amputation of plaintiff's fingers.
- Defense verdict for hospital in case of improper care and treatment of patient under Medicare contract resulting in bed sores and subsequent infection.
- Defense verdict for hospital in a case involving stillbirth. The hospital was accused of improperly monitoring and caring for the patient.
- Successful defense of wrongful death case against family practitioner. Physician was accused of improper care and treatment of child with diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Defense verdict for family practitioner accused of failure to diagnose and treat a stroke which resulted in death.
- Defense verdict on behalf of physician alleged to have injured plaintiff's gallbladder during surgery, which resulted in infection.
More
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 Commerce1981All Southeastern Conference Offensive Lineman