South Carolina Association for Justice mourns the passing of Joe Rice
September 4, 2026
The South Carolina Association for Justice (SCAJ) joins the legal community across South Carolina and the nation in mourning the passing of Joseph F. “Joe” Rice, co-founder of Motley Rice LLC and one of the most accomplished and influential attorneys of his generation.
“Joe Rice was a titan in the legal field whose fierce advocacy, brilliant legal mind and relentless pursuit of justice changed countless lives,” said Kevin Dean, a Member of Motley Rice and President of the South Carolina Association for Justice. “Joe possessed a rare ability to bring people together, take on extraordinarily complex legal challenges and stand up for those facing the most difficult moments of their lives.
Through his work, Joe helped hold powerful organizations accountable and bring about changes that protected people and communities. Over the course of his remarkable career, he fought for asbestos victims, families devastated by the opioid crisis, September 11th victims, human rights survivors and young people harmed by social media.
Joe’s impact extended far beyond the courtroom. He was a trusted mentor and friend and a generous supporter of his community.
Please keep his wife, Lisa, his daughter, Anne E. and the entire Rice family in your thoughts and prayers,” Dean said.
About SCAJ:
Founded in 1957, the South Carolina Association for Justice serves as a voice for those harmed by the actions of others and works to strengthen the justice system through education and advocacy. With members across the state, SCAJ continues to fight for fairness and accountability under the law. Visit SCAJ.com(opens in new tab) for more information.
