Joel R. Rhine

Joel R. Rhine, a nationally recognized trial attorney, is the leading force behind Rhine Law Firm, P.C., located in Wilmington, North Carolina. His practice encompasses a diverse array of legal matters, including:

• Catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death claims
• Serious motor vehicle accidents, encompassing car accidents, 18-wheeler and tractor-trailer accidents and other collision scenarios
• Work-related mishaps
• Business litigation matters
• Real property litigation
• Medical malpractice cases
• Premises liability claims
• Construction accidents, collapse cases and construction defects
• Litigation related to construction claims
• Product liability claims
• Class actions and mass torts across various sectors
• Resort and recreational accidents
• Defective drugs and medical devices litigation
• Data breach litigation

Mr. Rhine adeptly navigates the dual realms of legal leadership, steering the course for the firm in pivotal North Carolina cases while concurrently engaging in expansive national litigation, predominantly involving class action and mass tort matters, occasionally featuring substantial single-event issues.

Operating within the intricate realm of complex trials, Mr. Rhine operates under a fee structure where his compensation and the firm's advanced expense reimbursement hinge entirely on achieving a successful resolution. His notable achievements encompass obtaining seven-figure settlements in cases involving stairway and deck collapses in vacation rental homes along the North Carolina coast and securing compensation surpassing $25 million in the Pella Window Class Action in the North District of Illinois, among others.

Mr. Rhine, a graduate in political science with cum laude from The University of Tampa in 1985, furthered his academic pursuits by obtaining his J.D. from Wake Forest University Law School in 1988. While at law school, he distinguished himself by becoming one of the few students to be published twice in the Law Review. After completing his legal education, he commenced his professional journey in a "big law" role with a prominent law firm in Raleigh. Notably, he achieved a significant milestone by securing an eight-figure verdict in a federal jury trial at the age of 30.

Outside his law practice, Mr. Rhine is an active member of the American Association for Justice's Interstate Trucking Litigation Group and Preemption Law Litigation Group, the North Carolina Advocates for Justice and the North Carolina Bar Association. Also, he has received an AV Preeminent* peer-review rating through Martindale Hubbell and holds a perfect 10.0 on Avvo.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.