Michael S. Rothrock (Mike)
Mike is a North Carolina native and the son of a retired U.S. Marine. Although the nature of his father’s career caused his family to move around quite a bit, Mike spent most of his childhood in New Bern, North Carolina. Following graduation from New Bern High School, Mike attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. He later attended law school at Campbell University’s Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law. It was at UNCW where Mike met his wife, Melissa, who is a registered nurse at UNC Hospitals. For professional information about Mike, please click here.
Q: Why did you decide to become a lawyer?
A: I considered several careers in my teens, including being a police officer, a Marine like my father, or an attorney (thank you, John Grisham). The law is one of those unique professions that gives me the ability to further my goal of helping people and at the same time make a difference in society overall.
Q: What brought you to LN&S?
A: A great working environment and fundamental beliefs regarding the practice of law that are in keeping with my own. I’m enjoying working here as a litigator. I love the challenge the courtroom brings with advocating on behalf of my client to the judge and/or jury. The team focus is also key. All LN&S team members are trained to provide top-notch client service.
Q: What life experiences have helped you become a better lawyer (family, sports, volunteering, challenges)?
A: I was raised under the scarlet Semper Fi banner and home was always where the Marine Corps sent us. I have been fortunate to come into contact with a variety of different people and cultures. These travel experiences I like to think have given me the ability to relate to a wide variety of people; from the poorest to the most privileged. I think that’s an essential skill to have as a trial lawyer.
Most formative during our time at Gitmo was the Haitian Migration following the coup that overthrew President Aristide. Seeing the refugees housed on the base made me realize how fortunate we are to live in the country we do and that we should not take for granted what we have individually nor as a society as a whole. Our legal system and constitution bring stability and structure to our society and I am proud to be a part of that. At the time, I couldn’t help but feel pity and a want to help those people, even at my young age. I felt sorry for them and told myself to work hard so I would never have to be in their position. Looking back on the experience now, as somebody much older and more mature, I can’t help but envy them and wish I could be like them. The courage it took for those people to flee the only home they ever knew with nothing but the clothes on their backs, and to risk life and limb to sail across the sea to America on a make-shift raft is nothing short of admirable. I can only hope I have but an ounce of that courage in me while presenting my cases to a jury. Before every trial or new challenge that I am presented with, I pull out the pictures we took of those refugees in that camp and remind myself: “If they can do that, then I can do this.”
Q: Describe your family.
A: My wife is a nurse at UNC Hospitals and is extremely important to me. Sometimes I have to remind her of that. Together we are raising a very rambunctious German shepherd and two cats. I’m an adrenaline junkie and adventure seeker; as much as possible I go mountain biking, hiking, and do all other sorts outdoor activities. I try to have as many new experiences, meet as many new people, and see as many new places as I possibly can. On the more practical side, my wife and I both enjoy going to the movies.
Q: What would you like your legacy to be?
A: Many times over the course of my life my grandmother has reminded me that I have more luck than sense. When I’m gone, I would like people to remember that at least I had the sense to realize how lucky I was to do what I do and experience what I have in my life.
Q: What else is important we know about you?
A: I love a challenge. And coffee.
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