Key facts
- Joseph F. Rice, a prominent attorney and co-founder of Motley Rice, died Thursday at age 72.
- He was a lead negotiator in the Big Tobacco lawsuits of the late 1990s, contributing to a $248 billion settlement.
- Rice was also involved in lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and distributors, and against Meta concerning social media's impact on children.
- He was engaged in litigation against companies producing PFAS chemicals.
- Rice and his family donated $30 million to the University of South Carolina law school, now named in his honor.
Joseph F. Rice, a prominent attorney known for his significant legal victories against major corporations, has died at the age of 72. His law firm, Motley Rice, announced his sudden passing on Thursday.
Rice was a key figure in the landmark Big Tobacco lawsuits of the late 1990s, where he served as a lead negotiator in a settlement that reached $248 billion. He was also instrumental in recent legal actions, including a nationwide lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and distributors, and a multibillion-dollar settlement with Meta aimed at curbing children's exposure to social media.
At the time of his death, Rice was involved in thousands of lawsuits concerning PFAS chemicals, often referred to as "forever chemicals," which have allegedly polluted waterways and drinking water across the nation. Colleagues described him as a "lion among lawyers" and a "giant tree" in the legal field, credited with creating legal theories that held wrongdoers accountable.
In 2023, Rice and his family made a substantial contribution of $30 million to the University of South Carolina law school, which was subsequently renamed the USC Joseph F. Rice School of Law. Rice, a 1979 graduate of the law school, was also honored with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the university.
Discussion