Trial Attorney, Lead Plaintiff¼s Lawyer, Medicaid Suits
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Motley about who does what in these complicated law suits: "So, yes, mainly, my job is to try the law suit. Prepare it for trial. And their job is to try to find a way, a solution to the litigation problems. Although I'll say this, in the cigarette cases Dickie was heavily involved in discovery for a while until the negotiations heated up. And in the asbestos cases, Joe and I have tried many cases together in front of juries but in the last two or three years, it has become they are outside the courtroom and I am inside the courtroom."
Who?
Ron Motley immediately embraced the idea of suing the tobacco industry for Medicaid costs. He and Richard Scruggs developed the case in Mississippi and then sold the idea to other states around the country. Motley is known for his brilliant courtroom tactics.
Contribution to the Deal
Motley now represents almost every state that has filed a Medicaid suit. He has developed the cases, focusing on proving that the tobacco industry committed a fraud on the American people. In the Texas and Florida cases, Motley attempted to prove a civil RICO case against the industry. Every case he is involved with has settled at this point.
Expectations
Motley's mother died of smoking related disease. He told FRONTLINE that he initially wanted revenge for her death and that of hundreds of thousands of people like her. But Motley also saw the opportunity to get the truth out about an industry that has hurt so many people. He and Scruggs stand to make hundreds of millions of dollars if the national deal goes through.
Personal Information:
Ron Motley is one of the most successful trial lawyers in America. He made millions suing the asbestos industry during the 1980's. Richard Scruggs approached him with the idea of suing the tobacco industry on behalf of taxpayers who had covered the Medicaid costs for treating smoking related illnesses.
Affiliations: Trial lawyers
Cards they hold (issues):
Cards: Whistle blowers Jeffrey Wigand and Dr. Gary Huber | thousands of industry documents