Ronald L. Motley (October 21, 1944 – August 22, 2013) was an American trial attorney and a principal of Motley Rice LLC–a law firm based in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. He is best known for leading lawsuits against tobacco and asbestos companies.[1]

Ron Motley
Born(1944-10-21)October 21, 1944
DiedAugust 22, 2013(2013-08-22) (aged 68)
Alma materUniversity of South Carolina School of Law
Occupationlawyer

Early life and education edit

Motley grew up in North Charleston, South Carolina, where his father owned an Amoco gas station.[2] He graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1971.[3]

Career edit

Motley was lead counsel for more than 6,500 family members and survivors of the September 11 attacks seeking justice against al-Qaeda’s financiers.[4]

Motley won major judgments for his clients against the asbestos and tobacco industries.[2] Ronald Motley was portrayed by Bruce McGill in the 1999 film The Insider, starring Russell Crowe.[5]

Death edit

Motley died on August 22, 2013, after a prolonged illness. The cause of death was described by one colleague as "respiratory complications[1] and by another as "complications from organ failure".[6]

External links edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Schwarz, John (2013-08-22). "Ron Motley, Who Tackled Big Tobacco, Dies at 68". New York Times. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
  2. ^ a b Inside the tobacco deal - Interview with Ronald Motley, Pbs.org
  3. ^ Biography from Motley Rice, Motleyrice.com
  4. ^ Isikoff, Michael; Hosenball, Mark (April 16, 2003). "A Legal Counterattack". Newsweek. Archived from the original on 2007-07-13. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
  5. ^ "Ronald Motley dies at 68; lawyer took on tobacco, asbestos industries". Los Angeles Times. 2013-08-26. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
  6. ^ Feeley, Jef (August 23, 2013). "Ronald L. Motley dies at 68; pioneered tobacco litigation". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2013-08-27.