Practice Expertise

  • Life Sciences Litigation
  • Environmental and Toxic Tort Litigation
  • Complex Business Litigation
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Areas of Practice

  • Complex Business Litigation
  • Environmental and Toxic Tort Litigation
  • Life Sciences Litigation
  • Litigation
  • Product Liability
  • Trade Secrets
  • View More

Profile

Michael Walker is an experienced litigator who has handled a wide variety of complex civil litigation matters arising out of a number of industries. Much of his current practice involves the defense of product liability and toxic tort claims against businesses that design and make things or operate industrial facilities. He handles product liability litigation for a Fortune 300 manufacturer throughout the Southeast and for a foreign-based, global market leading manufacturer throughout the United States. Michael is honored to be a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) and recognized by The Best Lawyers in America®. He has also been selected to serve on the Steering Committee of Defense Research Institute’s Product Liability Committee.

In his product liability practice, Michael has defended the design and manufacture of all manner of products. Examples include medical devices such as hip and knee replacement devices, cosmetic facial implants, and femoral plates; mineral spirits; ambulance gurney systems; electronic vaping devices; clothes dryers; respirators; tires; and smoke detectors. He has managed and resolved disputes at all stages, from pre-suit through appeal. For matters that cannot be disposed of at an early stage, he has significant experience in working with and challenging expert witnesses and in formulating and executing e-discovery plans. 

In addition to handling litigation, Michael counsels manufacturers regarding various applicable regulatory regimes, including that of the CPSC, FTC, and other agencies. He has also advised manufacturers on their product warranties, warnings, instructions, packaging, and similar materials.

Outside of the product liability arena, Michael has represented businesses in commercial litigation in disputes in a wide range of areas, from intellectual property to financial fraud, and from disputes over software programs and mobile apps to real estate litigation. Other representative matters include the defense of a coal plant operator in a long-running series of class action and mass action lawsuits brought by different groups of nearby property owners, as well as his representation of national manufacturers in arbitrated disputes with their regional distributors. He has tried cases to verdict in court and arbitrated matters to decision before panels of both the American Arbitration Association and JAMS. 

In addition, working with several local federal judges, Michael re-drafted the Local Rules of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, leading to the issuance of a substantially revised version of those rules. He thereafter chaired the Birmingham Bar Association’s Federal Practice Section. In the community, he served for many years in leadership roles for Childcare Resources, a Central Alabama United Way affiliate, including as chair of that agency’s Board of Directors in 2021.

Bar Admissions

  • Alabama, 2004

Court Admissions
  • United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
  • United States District Court, Northern District of Alabama
  • United States District Court, Middle District of Alabama
  • United States District Court, Southern District of Alabama

Education

  • Washington & Lee University School of Law, J.D., 2004, Washington & Lee Law Review, Lead Articles Editor
  • University of Virginia, B.A., 2001

Areas of Practice

  • Complex Business Litigation
  • Environmental and Toxic Tort Litigation
  • Life Sciences Litigation
  • Litigation
  • Product Liability
  • Trade Secrets

Blogs

Declassified

The Declassified blog offers commentary and insights on the latest class action suits, significant class action opinions, relevant changes to laws and rules, and important class action trends. Declassified covers topics ranging from significant Supreme Court and appellate court decisions regarding class certification requirements to proposed or enacted legislation, rules and regulations that impact class action litigation to key industry developments that may indirectly impact class action...

It Pays to Be Covered

Bradley's It Pays to Be Covered Blog discusses insurance law developments and industry trends in property and casualty insurance, including the growing cyber insurance market, coverage for drones, and blockchain exposures. We also address practical risk management strategies of interest to risk managers, legal staff, and corporate officers and directors responsible for property and casualty insurance policy portfolios, claims management, and resolution. Our attorneys provide insights based on...

Patent 213

Patent law, like most things in life, is subject to change. Changes to patent laws not only impact investment in your existing IP, but directly shape strategies to protect your freedom to operate. The Patent 213 blog provides up-to-date, insightful analysis of the evolution in the written description and enablement requirements of 35 USC 112 and the subject matter eligibility requirements of 35 USC 101. The Patent 213 blog analyzes key decisions from the district courts and the Federal Circuit,...

The Law of Order

Bradley’s The Law of Order blog serves as a general parliamentary procedure resource, providing information about creation and revision of governing documents (constitutions, bylaws, or rules), application of Robert’s Rules of Order and other procedural authorities in a variety of contexts (such as nonprofits, political parties, homeowners associations, unions, churches, trade associations), and leadership of any type of organizational meeting. In an effort to make all things parliamentary more...

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