For Partner Mike Brockland, becoming an attorney wasn’t part of the original plan.
Growing up in University City, Mike imagined a future centered around education, not litigation. After beginning his undergraduate studies at the University of Dayton and completing a bachelor’s degree in English at the University of Missouri, he spent four years teaching high school English in Kansas City. And he loved it.
“Teaching never felt like a job,” he said. “I loved building relationships with my students and helping them accomplish things they didn’t think were possible. Watching someone gain confidence in themselves was incredibly rewarding.”
While he initially considered pursuing a career as an English professor, Mike eventually realized his passion for helping others could take a different form. Drawn to advocacy, problem-solving, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, he decided to attend law school.
Today, nearly a decade after joining SWMW Law in May 2017, Mike has found many of those same rewards in the courtroom.
“I still get to help people navigate challenges they never expected to face,” he said. “A big part of my job is helping clients feel heard, understood, and empowered during one of the most difficult periods of their lives.”
At SWMW Law, Mike’s practice is heavily focused on trial work. When a client’s case is headed for trial, he steps in and immerses himself in every aspect of the case. He spends countless hours reviewing evidence, researching legal issues, preparing witnesses, developing trail strategy, crafting persuasive arguments, and building a compelling narrative that captures the client’s experience.
For Mike, trial preparation is about much more than facts and documents.
“It’s about telling a client’s story in a way that resonates,” he said. “Every client has a unique life, family, and history. My job is to help a jury understand who that person is and why their story matters.”
That commitment often leads to deep relationships with the people he represents.
One client in particular stands out.
“He was someone who worked hard his entire life, took care of his children, and even helped raise some of the neighborhood kids,” he said. “His family invited us into their home several times. We got to know their children, grandchildren, and the life they built together. Being welcomed into someone’s family like that is incredibly meaningful. Those relationships are one of the things I value most about this work.”
When he’s not preparing for trial, Mike is just as passionate about cultivating things outside the courtroom.
A proud father of three, Mike enjoys gardening and has developed something of a reputation for rescuing struggling plants and bringing them back to life. He’s also a devoted supporter of the arts and serves as President of the Board of Directors for The Black Rep Theatre, one of St. Louis’ most celebrated theater organizations. Add a love of live music to the mix, and it’s clear Mike appreciates both creativity and connection in all aspects of life.
Whether he’s helping a client tell their story before a jury, nurturing a garden back to health, or supporting the arts in the community, Mike brings the same qualities to everything he does: compassion, curiosity, and a genuine commitment to helping others thrive.