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.
Early life and education Motley grew up in North Charleston, South Carolina, where his father owned an Amoco gas station.Inside the tobacco deal - Interview with Ronald Motley, Pbs.org He graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1971.Biography from Motley Rice, Motleyrice.com
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.
Motley won major judgments for his clients against the asbestos and tobacco industries. Motley was portrayed by Bruce McGill in the 1999 film The Insider, starring Russell Crowe.
Death Motley died on August 22, 2013, after a prolonged illness. The cause of death was described by one colleague as "respiratory complications" and by another as "complications from organ failure".
References
Bartleme, Tony. "Ron Motley, famed asbestos and tobacco lawyer, dead at 68." Post and Courier August 22, 2013 Searcey, Dionne. "Hard-Charging Attorney Ronald Motley Dead at the Age of 68." Wall Street Journal blog. Senior, Jennifer. "A Nation Unto Himself", New York Times March 14, 2004
External links Biography at Motley Rice