Ronald Motley

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

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]

Early life and education

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

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

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]

References

  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.