Olutola "Tola" Familoni

Tola's practice includes representing a governmental entity in litigation alleging e-cigarette maker JUUL misled the public on the safety of its products while marketing to children. He is also a part of Motley Rice’s team of attorneys representing dozens of governmental entities, including states, cities, towns, counties and townships in litigation against several pharmaceutical drug manufacturers and distributors for the alleged deceptive marketing of highly addictive opioids. 

Before joining Motley Rice, Tola worked for several years as an Assistant Public Defender in Charleston County, S.C., where he tried multiple cases to verdict.

Tola completed a number of legal internships prior to his work as a public defender, including assisting indigent clients through the Legal Aid of North Carolina nonprofit law firm, supporting legal services for immigrants through the Faith Action International House, and assisting with FOIA responses at the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. While completing his Juris Doctor, he was an alumni ambassador, recipient of the Dean’s Award, and participated in a number of student activities, including the Black Law Students Association, Trial Advocacy Board, National Lawyers Guild, the Guilford Inn of Court and the Order of the Barristers.
 
Tola is active in his community, including serving on the Board of Directors for Charleston Legal Access, South Carolina for Criminal Justice Reform, and Father to Father, a local nonprofit that supports fathers and their families by providing educational resources and other services. An avid soccer player, Tola competed in the NCAA’s Little East Conference and mentors youths as a soccer coach.