Mike Burg - Trial by Fire: One Mans Battle to End Corporate Greed and Save Lives

PRAISE FOR TRIAL BY FIRE

Michael doesnt just talk the talk and walk the walk. He is an arsonist in the law. His corporate smack downs are the stuff of legend. This is a must read for anyone even remotely interested in the subject.

Mark Geragos, CNN Legal Correspondent and criminal defense lawyer, inducted into the Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame in 2016

Justice is not naturally occurring. It is not random. Look behind most stories where true justice has prevailed and you will typically find a tenacious, uncompromising individual who struggled and sacrificed mightily to bring about the birth of justice. Michael Burg is one of those individuals. For thirty years he has shown up in courtrooms from New York to Los Angeles with one goal in mindJustice. This book gives you a look behind those stories.

Mike Papantonio, trial attorney instrumental in the tobacco and asbestos litigation, inducted into the Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame in 2015

Hes always prepared. He knows his material; hes very bright; hes very dogged and yet cooperative with opposing counsel. He is also extremely cooperative with the court and well respected by fellow attorneys on the plaintiffs side. His leadership was extremely important in resolving about 2,000 to 2,500 cases. He played a role in coordinating state courts and the ultimate resolution of the cases by settlement.

The Honorable David Katz, U. S. District Court judge for the Northern District of Ohio

Michael Burg is an attorney who exemplifies the mission of the American Association for Justicepromoting a fair and effective justice system, and supporting the work of attorneys in their efforts to ensure that any person who is injured by the misconduct or negligence of others can obtain justice in Americas courtrooms, even when taking on the most powerful interests. This book demonstrates the lengths to which he is willing to go in order to achieve that result! He is a true defender of the American justice system.

Lisa Blue Baron, past president, American Association for Justice, inducted into the Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame in 2015

Just imagine a modern day heroone who protects the innocent... one who is a fierce warrior in battles for the underprivileged... one who embraces righteous causes for the good of mankind... and one who is the standard bearer for courage in the courtroom. Mike Burg is that ultimate advocate. Trial by Fire is more than a bookit is a work of art, methodology, and inspiration! It is the ultimate must read for all who seek to be leaders, managers, mothers and fathers and advocates and coaches and the keepers of the promise to make this a better world. It is for doctors, lawyers, environmentalists, workers of all kinds... an action booka life book... a lessons-learned book! In Trial by Fire, Mike Burg teaches us what it really means to become an OBSTACLEIST!

John F. Romano, trial attorney, inducted into the Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame in 2016

The events, locations, and conversations in this book, while true, are recreated from the authors memories. However, the essence of the story and the feelings and emotions evoked are intended to be accurate representations. In certain instances, names, persons, organizations, and places have been changed to protect an individuals privacy.

Copyright 2016 by Michael S. Burg and Josh Young

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are courtesy of the authors personal collection.

BenBella Books, Inc.

PO Box 572028

Dallas, TX 75357-2028

www.benbellabooks.com

Send feedback to

First E-Book Edition: June 2016.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.

ISBN 978-1-942952-56-5

Editing by Dori Perrucci

Copyediting by Patricia Connolly

Proofreading by Chris Gage and James Fraleigh

Indexing by Amy Murphy Indexing & Editorial

Text design and composition by Aaron Edmiston

Cover design by Faceout Studio, Kara Davison

Jacket design by Sarah Dombrowsky

Printed by Lake Book Manufacturing

Distributed by Perseus Distribution

www.perseusdistribution.com

To place orders through Perseus Distribution:

Tel: (800) 343-4499

Fax: (800) 351-5073

E-mail:

To my mother, Phyllis, and my father, Sydney. They always told me I could be successful at anything I did. They taught me by example to fight for what was right. My father was the most honest and ethical person I ever knew. He told me, Dont chase the money. Be the best lawyer and the money will follow. He was right.

CONTENTS

by Alan K. Simpson

I have met many a fine lawyer in my lifethanks to my roles in practicing law and holding public officesbut of all these lawyers, no one compares to Mike Burg. He has a fire burning inside of him, a tenacity that cannot be dented, and a drive to bring justice for his clients that makes him the powerfully successful lawyer that he is. Aside from Mikes fierce determination to champion every case he takes on, hes a damn hard workerone of the most vital traits any successful person or lawyer can ever possess. It takes one to know one!

I always worked my butt off for the simple purpose of trying not to make an ass of myself. Theres no other goal or noble aspiration to the taskits that we want to be the best at what we do, and we want to keep doing itand that takes real effort and courageto keep your integrity and protect your good name.

All my life, my good name is all that I have had. Ive worked hard every day to create and uphold my reputation. When I first met Mike and discussed becoming his firms partner, I had already pissed off more people than Mike Burg ever would, simply because that is the clear nature of exercising strong political leadership. Mike wanted the firm to be called Simpson Burg. I laughed and told him that sounded like the name of some small Western town. Besides, I dont need my name on anythingSo let it be Burg Simpson.

My dad used to say, If youre damned if you do and damned if you dontthen DOand thats what Ive always tried to do. So when we talked about lending my name to his fine firm, I said very clearly, All I have is my good name, so if I do this with you, dont screw it up.

So far so good. I didnt want much to do with the day-to-day law business itself. People see the Burg Simpson name and ask me how the firm is doing and I simply and confidently tell them that Mike and his able crew are taking good care of everythingquite beautifully!

Mike and I share another trait that makes us cut from the same clothan ego. We both have walls of fameframed pictures, documents, and awards in our offices that stand as landmarks on our paths in life. Having an ego is part of what a successful life is all about. If you dont have an ego, its best to stay out of the game of life. Ego doesnt mean boasting and arrogance; it means self-worth and pride in what you are doing and what youve accomplished.