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Topic Overview

Motley Rice welcomes attorneys and law firms interested in collaborating on complex litigation to explore co-counsel case opportunities. Our referral program allows firms to enhance client services by leveraging our considerable resources, advanced legal strategy and jurisdictional reach.

Key takeaways about Motley Rice’s co-counsel program

  • Motley Rice forms co-counsel relationships with attorneys nationwide to pursue litigation.
  • The firm is currently accepting referrals across multiple practice areas, including GLP-1 litigation, toxic torts and social media harm lawsuits.
  • Co-counsel gain access to strategic legal resources, national case leadership, marketing, public relations, IT and enhanced client support.

What is co-counsel?

A co-counsel relationship is a legal relationship between two or more attorneys or law firms collaborating on the same case. These arrangements allow legal teams to share knowledge, divide responsibilities and pool investigative and financial resources.

This type of collaboration is particularly valuable in large-scale, cross-jurisdictional litigation or areas of law that are nuanced. These arrangements can exist in individual cases, multidistrict litigation (MDLs), class actions, other mass torts, state or federal cases involving complex discovery or regulatory frameworks. Smaller firms can participate in national litigation without having to expand infrastructure or personnel.

Co-counseling differs from simply serving as local counsel or lead counsel. In a co-counsel relationship, all parties participate in strategic decisions and client communication. These arrangements are typically governed by a written co-counsel agreement.

What is a co-counsel agreement?

A co-counsel agreement is a formal contract that outlines the structure and terms of the agreement between collaborating attorneys and firms. While each agreement is tailored to the case at hand, most include the following:

  • Client consent: The client’s informed consent to the co-counsel arrangement and any fee division is a fundamental ethical requirement and should be obtained in writing
  • Roles and responsibilities: Who leads strategy, manages filings, conducts discovery and prepares witnesses
  • Decision-making processes: Mechanisms for resolving disputes and coordinating litigation tactics
  • Fee structure: Agreement on how contingency fees and case-related expenses are shared
  • Client communication: Designation of which firm handles client contact and manages expectations

Co-counsel agreements provide clarity, reduce the risk of miscommunication and help facilitate accountability throughout the life of the case.

Contact Motley Rice attorneys today

Motley Rice welcomes referrals from attorneys seeking to join major national litigation or refer an individual matter. Our team is prepared to collaborate with firms of all sizes and in a variety of jurisdictions, whether you’re looking to share a single case or build a long-term strategic relationship.

To speak with a member of our team, please complete our contact form or call 1.800.768.4026 to explore how we can work together.

Current co-counsel referral case opportunities

Motley Rice is actively engaged in a variety of complex and emerging litigation areas. We are currently reviewing referrals for the following types of cases.

Mass tort and product liability

Motley Rice represents individuals harmed by alleged defective products and exposures in both federal and state actions.

  • Baby products: Litigation over toxic metals in baby food, where attorney Laura Stemkowski serves on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee for MDL 3101.
  • GLP-1 RA drug injuries: GLP-1 RA lawsuits involving gastrointestinal issues, vision loss and deep vein thrombosis caused by diabetes and weight loss drugs, including Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Mounjaro® and Zepbound®. Contact attorney Sara Couch for more information.
  • Medical products: Lawsuits involving SteriCare sterile saline solution. Contact Mike Daly to learn more about this litigation.
  • Pesticide exposure: Claims involving Roundup® and Paraquat, two herbicides that studies link to Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and Parkinson’s.
  • PFAS exposure and contamination: We are reviewing all “forever chemical” matters. We are currently actively involved with the federal AFFF MDL, with Motley Rice co-founder Joe Rice serving as co-lead counsel. We will review water system contamination, land contamination and firefighter exposure to PFAS from firefighting foam (AFFF) and bunker gear matters. We are also reviewing matters related to exposure and water contamination around the Gore plant in Elkton, Maryland.
  • Social media harm: Cases against social media platforms on behalf of young people harmed as minors by algorithms that promote addictive use in both the CA state litigation and federal multidistrict litigation. Attorney Previn Warren serves as co-lead counsel for the MDL, while Annie Kouba leads the state court efforts through her role on the PSC. We are also representing school districts in the MDL. Motley Rice attorney Jade Haileselassie leads the firm’s work on behalf of these public clients.
  • Women’s health: Depo-Provera® lawsuits alleging the birth control shot may cause meningiomas, tumors in the brain membrane. Carmen Scott serves on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee for the MDL. Paragard® IUD claims involving breakage and surgical removal. Hair relaxer lawsuits have been filed on behalf of women diagnosed with uterine, ovarian and endometrial cancer. This litigation is being pursued as an MDL as well as in the state courts. Fidelma Fitzpatrick serves as co-lead counsel on the MDL and Tope Leyimu serves on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee. Attorney Mike Daly is plaintiffs’ co-liaison counsel in Philadelphia’s hair relaxer mass tort. We are not taking fibroid cases. Talcum powder lawsuits allege that regular perineal use of talc-based products may increase the risk of ovarian cancer.

Aviation and transportation

Motley Rice attorneys have decades of experience representing victims and families affected by aviation crashes. The firm’s aviation litigation team includes former U.S. Department of Transportation inspector general Mary Schiavo and Jim Brauchle, a former Air Force navigator.

The firm is investigating the American Airlines Flight 5342 midair collision, in which a regional jet collided with another aircraft during approach. Attorney Jim Brauchle is co-lead counsel for multidistrict litigation related to Delta Flight 4819, which crashed and overturned while landing, and Tola Familoni serves on the PEC.

The firm handles claims related to both military and private aircraft crashes, including cases where mechanical failure, pilot error or contractor negligence contributed to fatalities or severe injuries, as well as cases where people and businesses on the ground are harmed by an aviation disaster.

Attorneys at Motley Rice also have experience representing plaintiffs in ground-bound transportation matters. This includes:

Sexual abuse litigation

Motley Rice handles sexual abuse cases across the country, having previously handled cases involving organizations like the Boy Scouts and religious organizations. We are currently focused on litigation against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) and its alleged failure to report child sexual abuse. For more information about this litigation contact Motley Rice attorneys Daniel Lapinski, Jonathan Orent or Alexandra Stulpin.

Toxic exposure & occupational disease

Motley Rice has a long-standing history of litigating toxic exposure cases involving environmental contamination and occupational illness. Current efforts focus on representing individuals and communities harmed by prolonged contact with hazardous substances.

  • Camp Lejeune water contamination involving veterans and family members who lived on the Marine base as well as individuals who worked on the base who were exposed and diagnosed with numerous diseases. If you have cases and need assistance on what to do after the August 2024 DOJ filing deadline, please connect with us.
  • Asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis are not going away. We are still actively taking these cases to trial and also handling bankruptcy claims stemming from occupational, secondary/household and consumer product exposure. Timing on these is critical.

Consumer & government fraud

We represent consumers and government entities in litigation involving deceptive business practices and regulatory violations. We have experience in:

  • Litigation for people who wrongfully lost or forfeited retirement benefits and deferred compensation payments under ERISA.
  • Privacy violation litigation involving unauthorized tracking and data use by OnStar/GM
  • Vehicle defect litigation involving brake, steering and emissions-related defect claims

Whistleblower cases

Motley Rice is actively pursuing cases in whistleblower litigation. The firm represents individuals bringing claims under the False Claims Act, which allows qui tam whistleblower actions. Our lawyers are also pursuing whistleblower cases brought under federal agency programs, including the SEC, CFTC and IRS.

Motley Rice attorneys have experience representing whistleblowers in cases regarding corporate fraud, financial misconduct and government contract abuse.

Anti-terrorism

Motley Rice also represents victims of international terrorism and their families. We pursue civil claims against state sponsors of terrorism, foreign banks and other entities alleged to have supported or facilitated attacks, including those linked to the 2023 Hamas attack.

Benefits of co-counseling with Motley Rice

Motley Rice offers co-counsel a robust national litigation platform, diverse experience and a shared commitment to client advocacy. Benefits include:

  • Growth and reach: Collaborating with Motley Rice allows attorneys to serve clients in jurisdictions or practice areas beyond their current capabilities.
  • Trial support: Our teams include knowledgeable lawyers, investigators, paralegals, technical consultants and subject-matter experts who have trial experience in a variety of jurisdictions. We’ve held leadership positions in some of the nation’s largest MDLs and work every case up as if it will go to trial.
  • Streamlined referrals: Our transparent process for referrals and co-counsel relationships is supported by formal agreements and consistent communication.
  • Enhanced client experience: A co-counsel approach is designed to provide clients the advantage of local support combined with national litigation strength, increasing trust and satisfaction.

From our earliest days, Motley Rice has been rooted in collaboration. Founders Ron Motley and Joe Rice came together to litigate against Big Tobacco, which led to a $246 billion settlement, the largest civil litigation settlement in U.S. history. It has set the tone for our co-counsel philosophy. Whether you’re looking to co-counsel on a single case or develop a long-term relationship, our program supports mutual growth, professional collaboration and client-focused results.

FAQs about co-counsel opportunities

What is co-counsel?

A co-counsel is an attorney or law firm that formally associates with another firm to litigate and resolve a shared case. These relationships are strategic, collaborative and commonly used in complex or multi-jurisdictional litigation.

What is a co-counsel agreement?

A co-counsel agreement is a legal contract that defines each party’s responsibilities and outlines communication protocols. It also establishes how fees and expenses will be divided.

What are the benefits of co-counseling?

Co-counseling allows firms to combine legal experience, expand geographic reach, and better serve clients through shared knowledge and resources. It can also help grow a firm’s case load without adding significant overhead costs.

How do I refer a case to Motley Rice?

You can refer a case to Motley Rice by filling out our online contact form or calling 1.800.768.4026. Our co-counsel team will evaluate the potential opportunity and reach out for a follow-up discussion. If it’s a fit, we’ll proceed with a formal agreement and begin collaborative litigation efforts.

Our litigation experience

Motley Rice has a long-standing record of working alongside co-counsel in high-stakes litigation. Our firm played a central role in the historic tobacco settlement, in representing victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and in the ongoing national opioid litigation. We continue to serve in leadership roles in numerous national MDLs involving many environmental contaminations and defective drugs, devices and products. Our experience spans both individual and class action litigation, supported by a dedicated team of attorneys, paralegals, investigators and subject-matter professionals.

Whether you’re seeking support on a single case or a long-term litigation partner, Motley Rice offers the resources and experience to help you advocate for your clients.

Read more on our complex litigation experience.