Motley Rice named to 2016 Plaintiffs’ Hot List: “Deep Benches, High Stakes”
Garnering one of 12 spots this year, Motley Rice is proud to be on the National Law Journal’s 2016 Plaintiffs’ Hot List. Motley Rice is only one of two firms to make the list every year since 2012.
Of the firms work recognized and that qualified it for the 2016 Hot List include, reaching a $100 million settlement with Lorillard Tobacco Company, Philip Morris USA, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, for approximately 400 Engle-progeny tobacco cases pending in the Florida federal district court; a $100 million verdict* finding Boston Scientific liable for a woman’s two defective transvaginal mesh devices; and reaching a confidential settlement with Arab Bank plc following a landmark 2014 jury verdict holding the bank liable for alleged terrorists attacks.
In its profile of Motley Rice’s work, the National Law Journal interviewed other attorneys about the firms’ work.
"The thing that sets them apart is their unique dedication to detail," said Scott Love of Clark, Love & Hutson, who has won mesh verdicts against Boston Scientific. "Nothing is left unturned."
When describing working on the federal Engle settlement together, Co-counsel Robert Nelson, a partner at Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein stated that Motley Rice co-founder Joe Rice had “unparalleled experience” that “proved helpful in connection with our being able to negotiate a settlement like this.”
When asked about the $100 million verdict against Boston Scientific, the largest jury award to come out of the products liability litigation over transvaginal mesh, attorney for the injured woman Fidelma Fitzpatrick said, “A verdict of that size sends a clear message from the jury to the defendant about the defendant's conduct, the defendant's products, and the risks the defendant has going forward."*
According to the National Law Journal, to be considered for the Plaintiffs’ Hot List, firms should have scored at least one significant plaintiffs win between Feb. 1, 2015, and Jan. 31, 2016, “and possess an impressive track record of wins within the past three to five years. A “significant” win means prevailing in a bench or jury trial in which the stakes are high—for example, a substantial amount of money is on the line or the outcome could affect litigation strategy or the results in similar cases nationally. Eligible firms should devote at least 50 percent of their litigation resources to plaintiffs work.” Learn more about the 2016 Plaintiffs’ Hot List selection criteria.
National Law Journal subscribers may read the full profile here.
*On Oct. 9, 2015, Judge Mary Johnston in New Castle County, Delaware affirmed the jury’s findings of defect failure to warn and punitive damages in the transvaginal mesh case. In doing so, Judge Johnston reduced the verdict to $10 million.
*Prior results to not guarantee a similar outcome.