SC trial lawyer Ron Motley dies at age 68

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Celebrated South Carolina lawyer Ron Motley has died at the age of 68.

Law partner Joe Rice on Thursday confirmed Motley’s death. No cause was given.

Motley and Rice founded Motley Rice, a Mount Pleasant-based practice that is one of the country’s largest plaintiffs’ firms. He graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1971.

Motley served as lead counsel in lawsuits that ultimately yielded the largest civil settlement in U.S. history in which the tobacco industry agreed to reimburse states for smoking-related health care costs. He also sued on behalf of asbestos victims and the families of the Sept. 11 victims.

Motley received numerous accolades, including highest honors from the South Carolina Association for Justice and the American Association for Justice.

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Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP