Carrie Campbell Severino writes for National Review Online about an interesting legal development.
The hits keep coming for left-wing trial lawyers. Alaska Attorney General Steve Cox has now issued a for-cause termination notice to the trial lawyers at Motley Rice. The firing is based on allegations that the firm violated conflict-of-interest and confidentiality provisions of its contract with the state as it failed to disclose and obtain necessary waivers for conflicts of interest in connection with the firm’s state representation on opioid matters.
Recall that this for-cause termination comes soon after Utah Attorney General Derek Brown announced his decision to fire Motley Rice in the wake of ethics allegations and motions to disqualify the firm from litigation on behalf of Utah. … Motley Rice has been a kingpin of the trial lawyer community, driving the Left’s lawfare campaign against disfavored industries and funding left-wing political campaigns. During the 2024 election cycle, the firm funneled millions into a political operation that went 99.7% to top Democratic campaigns.
Two states firing trial lawyers in quick succession harkens back to 2023, when new attorneys general in Iowa and Kansas terminated the billboard lawyers at Morgan & Morgan. It is a reminder that we have seen a true sea change on the issues of left-wing trial lawyers and woke lawfare, as conservative officials have really begun to wake up to schemes being run by left-wing trial lawyers. While I was once resigned to criticizing otherwise conservative attorneys general for their partnerships with firms like Motley Rice, I now can praise win after win and strong, principled action from all across the country, like what we just saw in Alaska.
But this termination of Motley Rice in Alaska isn’t just another state cutting ties with a problematic group of trial lawyers. A for-cause termination of Motley Rice based on conflicts means Alaska is alleging actual violations of contract terms and ethical failings by Motley Rice’s lawyers. This distinction matters enormously, especially given that Alaska made this move after conducting a review of the contracting situation using an independent outside ethics counsel.
