Lawyers, Law & Democracy

In this deep-dive episode of You, Me, and Democracy, host Morgan Carroll sits down with one of the most renowned and battle-tested trial lawyers in America—Mike Burg of Burg Simpson. With decades of courtroom experience and a reputation for going toe-to-toe with corporate giants and government agencies alike, Mike opens up about what drives him, the cases that shaped him, and the moral clarity that keeps him fighting for justice. From discovering his passion for law at age 12 to leading some of the largest mass tort cases in the country, Mike shares how lawyers serve as a frontline defense in a democratic society. We unpack the critical—and too often overlooked—role lawyers play in protecting our constitutional rights, upholding the rule of law, and being the last line of defense against powerful institutions that would otherwise go unchecked.

But this episode is about much more than just legal war stories. It’s a candid, sometimes urgent conversation about the fragile state of American democracy in the face of executive overreach, attacks on civil liberties, and the dangerous influence of billionaires and corporate monopolies. Together, Mike and Morgan explore how due process, judicial integrity, and the civil justice system are being stress-tested like never before—and why citizens can’t afford to sit on the sidelines. Whether you're a lawyer, law student, policymaker, or simply someone trying to make sense of the world, this conversation is a rallying cry. It's a reminder that democracy isn’t self-executing: it relies on all of us—lawyers and non-lawyers alike—to speak up, fight back, and protect the rights and freedoms we all depend on. So listen in, get inspired, and remember: you have more power than you think.