Ronald Motley

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. He graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1971.

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. Ronald 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".