Joe Rice Obituary, Death – Motley Rice Co-Founder Dies Unexpectedly

Joe Rice, a nationally recognized plaintiffs attorney and co-founder of Motley Rice, has died unexpectedly, according to the Mount Pleasant-based law firm.

Rice was widely regarded as one of the most influential attorneys in South Carolina and built a national reputation through his work on some of the most significant civil litigation cases in the United States.

Throughout his career, Rice played major roles in litigation involving tobacco, asbestos and opioids. His work helped secure some of the largest civil settlements in American history and established him as a highly respected negotiator and courtroom strategist.

Rice co-founded Motley Rice in 2003 alongside the late Ron Motley. Over the years, the firm became known for handling complex, high-profile cases involving corporate accountability and the rights of individuals and communities affected by major public health and safety issues.

The firm announced that Rice’s death was “sudden and unexpected,” describing him as “a pioneer, an innovator, a mentor and a friend.”

Motley Rice also remembered Rice for his wisdom, generosity and unwavering commitment to justice, qualities that colleagues said defined both his professional career and his relationships with others.

Rice had spent decades practicing law in the Charleston area while developing a reputation that extended far beyond South Carolina. His influence was felt not only through the cases he handled but also through the attorneys he mentored and the people he supported throughout his career.

Former South Carolina state senator and current Motley Rice attorney Marlon Kimpson also paid tribute to Rice, describing him as “a benefactor to many” and saying that those who benefited from his generosity and guidance would continue to carry his torch.

Rice’s death has left the legal community and his colleagues at Motley Rice mourning the loss of a prominent attorney whose career was closely associated with some of the most consequential civil litigation of his generation.

His legacy will continue through the firm he helped establish, the attorneys he mentored and the many people whose lives were affected by his work.

May Joe Rice rest in peace.