Brief Introduction of Michael Burg
Michael S. Burg is one of America’s most prominent and influential trial lawyers, renowned for his unwavering dedication to consumer advocacy and his relentless pursuit of justice for victims of corporate negligence and malfeasance. As a founding shareholder of Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Jardine, he has built a national reputation for taking on some of the largest and most powerful corporations in the world. Over a career spanning more than four decades, Burg has been at the forefront of numerous high-profile mass tort and class action lawsuits, particularly against pharmaceutical companies and financial institutions. His work has resulted in securing over a billion dollars in verdicts, settlements, and judgments for his clients. An accomplished author and respected legal expert, Michael Burg is also an inductee into the prestigious Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame, a testament to his significant contributions to the legal profession and his role as a fierce champion for the rights of ordinary people against powerful entities.
Michael Burg Overview
| Full Name | Michael S. Burg |
| Date of Birth | Not publicly available |
| Age(as of 2025) | Not publicly available |
| Birthplace | Not publicly available |
| Profession | Trial Lawyer, Author, Legal Expert |
| Husband/Wife | Information not disclosed |
| Family | Information not disclosed |
| Relationship/Affairs(GF/BF) | Information not disclosed |
| Net Worth | Not publicly available |
Early Life and Education of Michael Burg
While specific details about Michael S. Burg’s early life and family background are not widely publicized, his academic journey laid a strong foundation for his illustrious legal career. He pursued his undergraduate studies at the University of Denver, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Following his undergraduate work, he continued his education at the same institution, enrolling in the Sturm College of Law. It was here that he honed the skills and developed the passion for advocacy that would come to define his professional life. He received his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and was subsequently admitted to the practice of law in 1976. This marked the beginning of a career that would see him become one of the nation’s most respected and feared plaintiff attorneys, consistently recognized for his legal acumen and dedication to his clients. His education in Denver provided the launching pad for a career that would remain deeply connected to the Colorado legal community while extending its reach across the entire country.
Michael Burg’s Career
Michael Burg’s professional journey is a masterclass in legal advocacy and the strategic growth of a plaintiff-focused law firm. In 1976, he co-founded the law firm now known as Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Jardine, P.C. What began as a small practice has, under his leadership, expanded into a national powerhouse with over 65 attorneys across multiple states, including Colorado, Arizona, Ohio, Wyoming, and more. The firm has become a national leader in mass tort and class action litigation, securing more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for its clients.
From the outset, Burg established himself as a champion for the underdog, taking on complex cases against formidable corporate opponents. His career is distinguished by his willingness to litigate against powerful industries, most notably “Big Pharma.” He has been a leading figure in some of the most significant pharmaceutical mass tort cases in recent history. Burg played a crucial leadership role in the litigations against the manufacturers of dangerous drugs such as Fen-Phen, Yaz/Yasmin, Ortho Evra, and Pradaxa. In the Yaz and Yasmin birth control litigation, he served as co-lead counsel, which resulted in settlements exceeding $3 billion. These cases involved representing thousands of individuals who suffered severe, life-altering side effects, and his work was instrumental in holding the manufacturers accountable for failing to warn consumers about the risks associated with their products.
Beyond pharmaceutical litigation, Michael Burg has demonstrated his versatility and commitment to consumer protection in the financial sector. He famously stood up to corporate greed by fighting against the banking giant UBS for knowingly selling risky mortgages to investors. This case helped create a blueprint for subsequent actions brought by states, municipalities, and other investors who had been similarly defrauded. He also took on rating agencies like Moody’s, alleging they colluded with banks to the detriment of investors. His fearlessness in confronting major financial institutions has solidified his reputation as a vigilant watchdog for consumers and investors alike.
Burg’s trial record includes numerous multi-million dollar verdicts that have made headlines. In 2019, he secured a landmark $58.5 million verdict for families who had donated the bodies of their loved ones to the Biological Resource Center in Arizona, only to discover that the bodies were dismembered and sold for parts in a fraudulent scheme. This case, one of the largest civil verdicts in Arizona history, brought justice and solace to families who had endured unimaginable hardship. More recently, in 2024, he obtained a $55.5 million verdict for a client catastrophically injured by an exploding Sunbeam multi-cooker. Other notable successes include representing victims of catastrophic gas explosions and filing a sweeping action against 28 California wineries for selling wine contaminated with arsenic. In 2016, he channeled his extensive experience into the best-selling book, “Trial by Fire: One Man’s Battle to End Corporate Greed and Save Lives,” providing an insider’s account of his lifelong fight against corporate corruption.
Michael Burg Personal Life & Family
Michael S. Burg is a very private individual, and as such, detailed information regarding his personal life, including his marital status, spouse, children, and immediate family, is not publicly disclosed. His public persona is overwhelmingly defined by his professional accomplishments and his dedication to the legal field. While he maintains a high profile as a trial attorney, he has successfully kept his family life out of the public spotlight. It is known, however, that Burg is an active and committed member of his community. He is a noted supporter of numerous charitable and cultural organizations, including Craig Hospital, the Food Bank of the Rockies, Toys for Tots, Make-A-Wish Colorado, and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. He also serves on the board of Denver’s Mizel Museum, further demonstrating his commitment to cultural and community engagement. His philanthropic endeavors reflect a deep-seated belief in giving back to the community that has been the home base for his national law practice.
Awards and Achievements of Michael Burg
- Inductee, Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame
- Recipient of the Clarence Darrow Award
- Inducted into the US Legal 500 Hall of Fame for Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action
- Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” for Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Plaintiffs, Denver (2018)
- Recipient of the Kenneth Norman Kripke Lifetime Achievement Award from the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association (2022)
- Law Week Colorado’s Barrister’s Choice and People’s Choice for Best Overall Litigator (2021)
- Law Week Colorado’s Lawyer of the Decade (2000-2010)
- Recognized by 5280 Magazine as a Top Lawyer for over 10 years
- Consistently recognized by Colorado Super Lawyers annually since 2006
- Named one of America’s 50 Leading Lawyers by The U.S. Legal 500
- American Association for Justice Heavy Lifting Award
- Past President of the National Trial Lawyers Association
Michael Burg Net Worth and Income
The precise net worth of Michael S. Burg is not publicly available and estimates vary widely. As the founding shareholder of one of the nation’s most successful plaintiff law firms, Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Jardine, his financial success is intrinsically linked to the firm’s performance. The firm has secured over a billion dollars in verdicts and settlements for its clients, and as a primary stakeholder, Burg’s income is substantially derived from the fees generated by these successful outcomes, particularly in large-scale mass tort and class action lawsuits. His income sources are multifaceted, stemming from his legal practice, his work as a legal expert, and royalties from his best-selling book, “Trial by Fire.” Given the magnitude of the cases he has successfully litigated and the consistent growth and success of his law firm over several decades, it is reasonable to conclude that Michael Burg net worth is substantial, placing him among the upper echelon of trial lawyers in the United States. However, without public disclosure, any specific figure remains speculative.
Legacy and Influence
Michael S. Burg has forged a legacy as one of the most consequential plaintiff’s attorneys of his generation. His influence extends far beyond the courtroom and the monetary awards he has won for his clients. He has played a pivotal role in shaping corporate behavior and accountability, particularly within the pharmaceutical and financial industries. By successfully challenging some of the largest multinational corporations, he has forced them to re-evaluate product safety, marketing practices, and their ethical obligations to consumers. His work has created legal precedents and established litigation blueprints that have been adopted by other attorneys across the country, amplifying his impact on corporate conduct.
As an inductee into the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame, his portrait hangs alongside legal legends like John Adams and Thurgood Marshall, cementing his place in American legal history. This honor recognizes a lifetime of service to the public and the constitution. Furthermore, his commitment to education, evidenced by his long tenure as an adjunct professor at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, ensures that his knowledge and ethos are passed down to future generations of lawyers. He has also been actively involved in the judicial selection process, serving on commissions that recommend judges, thereby influencing the very structure of the justice system he operates within. His public image is that of a tenacious, principled advocate who has dedicated his career to leveling the playing field between ordinary citizens and powerful corporations, leaving an indelible mark on the practice of law and the pursuit of justice in America.
Interesting Facts about Michael Burg
- He is an inductee into the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame, an honor shared with legal icons like Clarence Darrow and Thurgood Marshall.
- His law firm, Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Jardine, has recovered over $1 billion for its clients.
- He served as co-lead counsel in the Yaz/Yasmin birth control mass tort litigation, which led to settlements of more than $3 billion.
- He has been an adjunct professor at his alma mater, the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, since 1982.
- He is the author of the best-selling book, “Trial by Fire: One Man’s Battle to End Corporate Greed and Save Lives.”
- He successfully secured one of Arizona’s largest-ever civil verdicts, $58.5 million, in a case involving the illegal sale of human body parts.
- Law Week Colorado named him the “Lawyer of the Decade” for the years 2000-2010.
Controversies
Information not disclosed. Michael S. Burg has maintained a public career largely free of personal or professional controversy. The nature of his work involves contentious, high-stakes litigation against major corporations, but he has upheld a reputation for ethical and zealous advocacy within the legal community.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram – Not publicly available
- Twitter – Not publicly available
- YouTube – Not publicly available
Final Words about Michael Burg
Michael S. Burg continues to be an active and influential force in the American legal landscape. Even after a career laden with landmark victories and prestigious awards, he remains at the helm of Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Jardine, guiding the firm’s complex litigation and mentoring its attorneys. His focus has not wavered from his lifelong mission: to hold corporations accountable and to provide a voice for those who have been harmed by negligence and greed. His future plans appear to involve a continuation of this work, as he has stated, “I’m not done yet.” His legacy is already secure as a titan of the trial bar, a relentless consumer advocate, and a key figure in some of the most significant legal battles of the past half-century. Through his continued practice, his writing, and his role in educating future lawyers, Michael Burg’s influence will undoubtedly be felt for many years to come, solidifying his status as a true champion for justice.
