Michael K. McKibbin
Riverside Office
Education: University of California, Riverside – Pepperdine University School of Law
Member: California State Bar
Joined BM&M in 1995
Mike McKibbin grew up with the law. His dad was a tax and estate attorney who eventually became a professor of law at Pepperdine University. Mike studied law under his father at Pepperdine, and most of his friends growing up also went into law.
Through law school, Mike worked as a law clerk for a small general practice firm. After passing the bar, he practiced in government, environmental and anti-trust law representing various governmental entities. In the early 1980s, he settled into personal injury and workers compensation. He was a partner in a small plaintiff's firm before moving exclusively to the defense side in 1987.
"I knew a really good defense attorney years ago who told me that if you want to be really good at something, you have to work at it, and that's been my mantra. I take a lot of pride in my work ethic and I enjoy it very much."
Mike believes a vigorous and full personal life is essential to staying sharp and motivated. He and his wife, Gena, have raised three daughters and now have two grandchildren. ("having them for the weekend makes Gena and I question how we did it with three daughters!")
Mike also believes that the secret to maintaining a good attitude is thinking young. He's been racing cars for years and owns several Mustangs, which have been converted to race cars. When he's not racing, he often finds his youth in hiking with friends and family. He scaled Half Dome in 2007. He's also an avid amateur photographer and occasionally plays guitar and mandolin with a garage band.
"A couple of years ago an extended family member asked me when I was going to grow up? I said 'never actually, you get old that way."
"I'm grateful for the opportunities I've had in life, and thoroughly enjoy the people and clients with whom I work. When I first became a defense attorney, my boss told me I needed to consider the claims people with whom I worked my friends. That was good advice and I genuinely do that."