Motley Rice Attorneys Honored at 2026 South Carolina Association for Justice (SCAJ) Annual Convention

The South Carolina Association for Justice (SCAJ) recognized Motley Rice Member Anne McGinness Kearse with the 2026 Matthew J. Perry Public Service Award during its annual convention in Hilton Head, S.C. The convention brings together legal professionals and lawyers from across South Carolina for continuing legal education, networking and other learning opportunities. At the annual breakfast gala they also recognize individual members who have made meaningful contributions to the professional and the pursuit of justice.

Matthew J. Perry Public Service Award

One of SCAJ's highest annual honors, the Matthew J. Perry Public Service Award recognizes individuals whose commitment to public service and the pursuit of justice has made a meaningful impact on the legal profession and the communities they serve.

Named in honor of the late Judge Matthew J. Perry Jr., a pioneering civil rights attorney and federal judge whose work helped shape South Carolina's legal landscape, the award celebrates attorneys whose careers reflect commitment to service, leadership and advancing justice. Kearse joins a distinguished group of lawyers who have previously received the honor for their contributions to the profession and the public good.

Anne McGinness Kearse

Throughout her career, Kearse has dedicated her civil litigation practice to advocating for individuals, families and communities seeking accountability, change and justice. Her work has included representing workers and families affected by toxic chemical exposures such as asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma, workplace safety issues and defective consumer products. She also represents governmental entities seeking accountability on behalf of the public for the devastating impacts of the tobacco industry, the opioid epidemic and PFAS contamination.

Equally as devoted to the legal community as she is the courtroom, Kearse has dedicated herself to public service. Locally, she is a past SCAJ Board of Governors member who spearheaded the formation of the SCAJ Women’s Caucus in 2012 and served as its first chair. She served on the Executive Board of the Lowcountry Safe Kids USA. On a national level, she has served on the board of directors of the Public Justice Foundation, a national non-profit focused on protecting people and the environment and increasing access to justice, since 2010. She served as President from 2016-2017. Kearse has been a member of the American Association for Justice’s (AAJ) Women’s Trial Lawyer Caucus since 1996, served as several litigation section chairs, including Toxic, Environmental and Pharmaceutical Torts and served as a section councilor in the law section of the American Public Health Association.

Through these and other initiatives, she has helped advance workplace safety, public health and corporate responsibility while seeking meaningful outcomes for those harmed. Her recognition reflects not only her commitment to clients and her firm but also her longstanding leadership within SCAJ and the broader civil justice community.

"Receiving an award bearing Judge Perry’s name is an extraordinary privilege. His life reminds us that the law is not merely a profession but a calling, and it comes with great responsibility," said Kearse. “I am grateful to SCAJ for this recognition and proud to stand alongside the many distinguished lawyers who have received this award before me."

New SCAJ leadership

The conference also marked a leadership milestone for Motley Rice, as member attorney Kevin Dean was sworn in as the president of the South Carolina Association for Justice. Dean officially assumed the role during the organization's annual convention in Hilton Head, continuing his longstanding service to SCAJ and its mission of advocating for the rights of individuals and families throughout South Carolina.

“I am honored for the opportunity to lead SCAJ and build on the work of those who have served before me. Our organization plays an important role in protecting access to justice in all practice areas for which our members serve, and I look forward to supporting each of them as they advocate for clients across our state,” said Dean.

About the South Carolina Association for Justice (SCAJ)

Founded in 1957 as the SC Trial Lawyers Association, SCAJ is a 1400-member organization dedicated to protecting access to the civil justice system and advocating for the rights of individuals and families across South Carolina. Through education, professional development and legislative advocacy, SCAJ works to promote fairness, accountability and justice for those harmed by negligence and misconduct.