Insight

A Voice for American Consumers

Michael Burg on the vital work of trial lawyers.

Michael Burg
Michael S. Burg

Michael S. Burg

February 16, 2018 02:35 PM

Trial lawyers have long served on the front lines of American justice, championing civil rights and safety regulations that have made the country fairer, the environment cleaner, and medicine safer. Their efforts have helped preserve the civil justice system and ensure accountability for American consumers—and, as attorney Michael Burg notes, they are needed now more than ever.

“The framers of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence understood the importance of the jury trial and how vital lawyers are to a civil society,” says Burg, founder of the leading plaintiffs’ trial firm Burg, Simpson, Eldredge, Hersh & Jardine, PC. “But many of our civil liberties are now under attack, and the only people left to fight for consumer rights are trial lawyers.”

Burg has personally served as lead counsel in more than 185 jury trials, including high-profile cases against the financial industry and pharmaceutical giants Eli Lilly and Johnson & Johnson. His lifelong battle against corporate greed and corruption is chronicled in the recent memoir, Trial by Fire: One Man’s Battle to End Corporate Greed and Save Lives, which quickly became an Amazon bestseller following its release last year.

“From the start, I’ve been inspired by the work of other trial lawyers who have fought so hard to change the world for the better,” Burg says. “So, when I look back on the cases I’ve handled over the years, I take pride in knowing that I’ve made a contribution to an incredibly important tradition.”

Among his notable achievements, Burg recovered $6.4 million in a gas explosion case that prompted dramatic safety changes to a city’s pipelines. More recently, he fought an eight-year battle against UBS for knowingly selling risky mortgages to investors, and he filed a sweeping action against 18 California wineries to stop them from selling toxic wine contaminated with arsenic. He is also representing the victims of a company’s fraudulent scheme to illegally sell their loved ones’ body parts, which were donated for medical research.

In the area of pharmaceutical multidistrict litigation, Burg has achieved many high-profile leadership appointments by federal judges throughout the country: he served as co-lead counsel in the Ortho Evra and Yaz/Yasmin litigations, which resulted in settlements of over $3 billion to more than 10,000 injured women; as a member of the state liaison committee for the Vioxx litigation; and as a member of the executive committee in the Zyprexa litigation, which received a global settlement of more than a billion dollars. He has also taken on Big Pharma in cases concerning the drugs Fen-Phen and Pradaxa.

“Part of what inspired me to become a lawyer and handle these types of cases was finding a biography of Clarence Darrow on my parents’ bookshelf at a young age and reading about his contributions,” Burg says. “It showed me that trial lawyers truly are protectors of the community who guard the rights of injured individuals.”

In 2013, Burg was recognized as being in the same realm as his legal hero when he received the Clarence Darrow Award, one of the most prestigious awards given to trial lawyers. More recently, he has been inducted into the National Trial Lawyers’ Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame, whose impressive group of honorees includes such legendary trial lawyers as Darrow, Thurgood Marshall, Melvin Belli, and Johnny Cochran.

This year, Burg, along with a third of the firm’s other 60-plus litigation attorneys, was named in the 2018 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America© in Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs, and Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs in Denver. He was also listed as the 2018 Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” in Mass Tort Litigations / Class Actions – Plaintiffs in Denver, along with Scott Eldredge, Scott Sullan, and James Heckbert. Given this talent, it should come as no surprise that Burg Simpson has become an institution among plaintiffs’ law firms, with a national footprint and a reputation for trial success.

In all, Burg Simpson has recovered more than $1 billion for its clients, including more than 100 verdicts, settlements, and judgments of $1 million or more. The firm also continues to be recognized as a national Tier 1 firm for Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs by U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms.”

“There aren’t many plaintiffs’ firms that have achieved track records comparable to ours, and a lot of that has to do with the depth of experience and expertise that we offer clients,” Burg says. “People here work day and night to ensure clients receive the highest level of representation—and that is ultimately what allows us to serve as a strong voice for American consumers.”

Related Articles

IN PARTNERSHIP

When the Result Means Everything


by Lyons & Simmons

Michael Lyons and Christopher Simmons, Texas-based trial attorneys and founders of the firm Lyons & Simmons, are dedicated to finding justice for their clients.

Two suited lawyers walk side by side while talking

IN PARTNERSHIP

Leadership and Commitment


by Justin Smulison

Malone Law leader and 2016 Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs “Lawyer of the Year” Adam Malone discusses how his success transcends the courtroom and helps strengthen public and legal communities.

Suited man standing with arm resting on table

IN PARTNERSHIP

Protecting the Public


by Justin Smulison

Burg Simpson founder and three-time Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” honoree Michael S. Burg discusses the impact of the firm’s national cases and how its trial lawyers continue to add to the firm’s 45-year legacy.

Lawyers pose for headshot with black background

Colorado's Best Lawyers 2022


by Best Lawyers

Our 2022 Colorado's Best Lawyers publication features top-ranked legal talent in Boulder, Denver and Western Colorado.

Colorado's Best Lawyers 2022

Selection Protection


by Bradley M. Cosgrove and Robert A. Clifford

Jury Research in High Profile Cases

Jury Research in High Profile Cases

A Trial Icon


by Sean Stonefield

Dan Cogdell on his almost four decades of courtroom success.

Dan Cogdell Best Lawyers 2020

Combating Punitive Damages Awards on Appeal


by Lynn Kappelman and Dawn Solowey

While the trial team’s deep knowledge of the trial record is an important resource, if that team does not also have appellate experience, consider an appellate specialist to lead the next phase of the case.

Punitive Damages

Safeguarding the Community


by Sean Stonefield

When companies put profits over safety, trial attorney Daniel J. T. Sciano steps in.

Daniel J. T. Sciano of Tinsman & Sciano, Inc

An Imprudent Customer and His Money Reunited: Fos Imposes A New Duty On Banks To Prevent Fraud


by Michael Chaaya

"The Financial Ombudsman Service Australia (FOS) issued a Determination whereby a bank had to reimburse a customer for money sent to an offshore ‘boiler room’ known to the bank to be a scam."

Preventing Financial Fraud

Trending Articles

Announcing the 2023 The Best Lawyers in America Honorees


by Best Lawyers

Only the top 5.3% of all practicing lawyers in the U.S. were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 29th edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

Gold strings and dots connecting to form US map

Announcing the 2022 Best Lawyers® in the United States


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers listed in the 28th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and in the 2nd Edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2022.

2022 Best Lawyers Listings for United States

2021 Best Lawyers: The Global Issue


by Best Lawyers

The 2021 Global Issue features top legal talent from the most recent editions of Best Lawyers and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch worldwide.

2021 Best Lawyers: The Global Issue

The U.S. Best Lawyers Voting Season Is Open


by Best Lawyers

The voting season for the 31st edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and the 5th edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America is officially underway, and we are offering some helpful advice to this year’s voters.

Golden figures of people standing on blue surface connected by white lines

How To Find A Pro Bono Lawyer


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers dives into the vital role pro bono lawyers play in ensuring access to justice for all and the transformative impact they have on communities.

Hands joined around a table with phone, paper, pen and glasses

What the Courts Say About Recording in the Classroom


by Christina Henagen Peer and Peter Zawadski

Students and parents are increasingly asking to use audio devices to record what's being said in the classroom. But is it legal? A recent ruling offer gives the answer to a question confusing parents and administrators alike.

Is It Legal for Students to Record Teachers?

How Palworld Is Testing the Limits of Nintendo’s Legal Power


by Gregory Sirico

Many are calling the new game Palworld “Pokémon GO with guns,” noting the games striking similarities. Experts speculate how Nintendo could take legal action.

Animated figures with guns stand on top of creatures

The Best Lawyers in Australia™ 2024 Launch


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is excited to announce The Best Lawyers in Australia™ for 2023, including the top lawyers and law firms from Australia.

Australian Parliament beside water at sunset

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2023


by Best Lawyers

The third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ highlights the legal talent of lawyers who have been in practice less than 10 years.

Three arrows made of lines and dots on blue background

Inflation Escalation


by Ashley S. Wagner

Inflation and rising costs are at the forefront of everyone’s mind as we enter 2023. The current volatile market makes it more important than ever to understand the rent escalation clauses in current and future commercial lease agreements.

Suited figure in front of rising market and inflated balloon

A Celebration of Excellence: The Best Lawyers in Canada 2024 Awards


by Best Lawyers

As we embark on the 18th edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada™, we are excited to highlight excellence and top legal talent across the country.

Abstract image of red and white Canada flag in triangles

8 Different Types of Criminal Defenses in Law


by Best Lawyers

Learn about the different types of criminal defenses available in law, including innocence, self-defense, insanity and more. Protect your rights today.

Silver handcuffs laying on finger printed papers

Wage and Overtime Laws for Truck Drivers


by Greg Mansell

For truck drivers nationwide, underpayment and overtime violations are just the beginning of a long list of problems. Below we explore the wages you are entitled to but may not be receiving.

Truck Driver Wage and Overtime Laws in the US

The Upcycle Conundrum


by Karen Kreider Gaunt

Laudable or litigious? What you need to know about potential copyright and trademark infringement when repurposing products.

Repurposed Products and Copyright Infringemen

Choosing a Title Company: What a Seller Should Expect


by Roy D. Oppenheim

When it comes to choosing a title company, how much power exactly does a seller have?

Choosing the Title Company As Seller

Unwrapping Shrinkflation


by Justin Smulison

Through the lens of the United States, we take a closer look at the global implication of companies downsizing products while maintaining and often raising prices.

Chocolate bar being unwrapped from foil