Hall of Fame: Ron Motley honored for lifetime commitment to public service
Motley Rice co-founder inducted into Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame
MT. PLEASANT, SC - Motley Rice is proud to announce that The National Trial Lawyers and the organization's flagship publication, The Trial Lawyer magazine, inducted co-founder Ron Motley into The Trial Lawyer 2012 Hall of Fame, a prestigious honor placing him in the company of such legal legends as John Adams (inducted posthumously), Melvin Belli, Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr., Clarence Darrow and Thurgood Marshall. Motley was inducted alongside fellow honorees Howard Nations and Robert Josefberg.
The Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame recognizes select civil plaintiff and criminal defense trial lawyers who have left a significant mark on the legal profession, as well as their communities, through a lifetime of service. Honorees are selected by members of The National Trial Lawyers Executive Committee. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., inducted Motley, Nations and Josefberg during The Trial Lawyer 2012 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony held Thursday, April 19, 2012, at the Mass Torts Made Perfect Seminar in Las Vegas. View the video played at the Induction Ceremony.
"Each of the Hall of Fame inductees shares something in common—a strong belief in the U.S. civil justice system and a profound compassion for those in need of someone to fight on their behalf. Ron is among our nation's most distinguished public servants, and his tremendous achievements will be felt for generations," said Motley Rice co-founder and colleague Joe Rice.
A 1971 graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law, Motley has spent more than three decades fighting for the rights of victims of negligence and corporate wrongdoing. He first gained global recognition for his innovative work to hold accountable both the asbestos and tobacco industries. The resulting Master Settlement Agreement in the historic tobacco litigation remains the largest civil settlement in U.S. history. He established with Joe Rice one of the nation's largest plaintiffs' litigation firms in his home state of South Carolina and has continued to pursue cutting-edge civil litigation against often powerful defendants, including the alleged financiers of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Ron has been honored with numerous awards throughout his career for his legal skill, leadership and contributions to the legal profession and his community, including the American Association for Justice Lifetime Achievement Award, David S. Shrager President's Award, Harry M. Philo Trial Lawyer of the Year Award and President's Award of the National Association of Attorneys' General. Ron takes pride in his involvement with many organizations, but he is most proud of the Mark Elliot Motley Foundation, Inc., which he founded in memory of his son to provide assistance to children and young adults, and the Woodrow Wilson Motley Spirit Award, which he created in memory of his father to honor Motley Rice employees exhibiting exceptional attitude, work ethic and service.
About Motley Rice LLC
Motley Rice is one of the nation's largest plaintiffs' litigation firms. Motley Rice attorneys have a tradition of representing those whose rights have been violated, including in mesothelioma lawsuits. The firm also litigates cases in numerous other areas, including environmental contamination such as the BP oil spill; prescription drugs such as Topamax® and Actos®; medical devices such as pelvic mesh and hip replacements; human rights, including sexual assault and international torture cases; aviation disasters; securities and consumer fraud; and wrongful death. Motley Rice is headquartered in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., and has additional offices in Los Angeles, California; Hartford, Connecticut; Washington, D.C.; New York, New York; Providence, Rhode Island; and Morgantown, West Virginia. For more information about Motley Rice, contact Joe Rice (DC, SC) at 1.800.768.4026. Connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
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