Motley Rice

Firm History I

Motley Rice's founding members Ron Motley (1944-2013) and Joe Rice began working together in the 1970s to use the civil justice system as both a consumer and business ethics watchdog. Motley Rice attorneys have played significant leadership roles in large and impactful settlements, decisions, and cases.

Asbestos & Mesothelioma

Revealed the most substantial business cover-up in U.S. history of a devastating disease caused by a product. Represented thousands of workers, veterans and families. Negotiated and shaped some of the largest U.S. bankruptcy trusts. Litigated cases in 57 U.S. jurisdictions and counting.

Tobacco

Negotiated the $246 billion Master Settlement Agreement with dozens of State Attorneys General, the largest civil settlement in U.S. history.

9/11 & Terrorism Financing

Led extensive discovery and settlements for more than 50 cases in 9/11 aviation litigation. Represent more than 6,600 family members, survivors and first responders in ongoing litigation. Conducted global investigation into terrorism financing in Linde vs. Arab Bank and brought a financial institution to trial for the first time under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Co-lead negotiator for largest civil class action settlement in U.S. history.

Securities Fraud & Antitrust

Led litigation for U.S. and foreign plaintiffs against corporations including: Twitter, Barrick Gold, Pharmacia Corp., Sprint, Nextel, State Street, Avon, Visa/Mastercard, and pay-for-delay medical drug manufacturers.

Firm History II

Vehicle Defects

VW Emissions Fraud: One of the lead settlement negotiators. Largest auto-related consumer class action in U.S. history.

Takata’s Airbags: Negotiated a rare personal injury trust and vehicle manufacturer settlement amid bankruptcy.

Medical Drugs & Devices

Held leadership roles in more than 30 medical drug and device cases and represented more than 41,000 clients, including recovering millions of dollars for tens-of-thousands of women injured by TVM products.

Lead Contamination

Co-lead trial counsel in the historic public nuisance lead paint pigment verdict, The People of California v. Conagra Grocery Products Company. Achieved a $305 million settlement for 10 California jurisdictions to fund removal of toxic lead paint in homes, protecting thousands of families and children.

Worker Safety

Consulted on first class action in South Africa’s history for injured workers and negotiated the historic settlement that resolved the case, achieving an unprecedented means of recovery for gold miners exposed to toxic silica dust.

Opioid Crisis

Co-lead counsel for 2,700+ communities nationwide in the National Prescription Opiate MDL, including trial counsel and negotiators for settlement that resolved the MDL’s first bellwether trial in Ohio. Counsel for 40+ state and local governments, including several of the hardest hit areas.