Joe Rice Legacy: Law, Giving, and Impact | Columbia News

Joe Rice, a titan of the legal world and devoted champion of the University of South Carolina, passed away at 72, leaving behind an enduring legacy. A quiet philanthropist who gave without expectation, he transformed USC athletics with a namesake center and gifted $30 million to establish the Joseph F. Rice School of Law. His own rise from near-rejection to becoming a key architect of the historic Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement mirrored his relentless drive — a drive that propelled Motley Rice into landmark cases including 9/11, BP oil spill, and opioid litigation. Always rooted in gratitude for the opportunity USC gave him, Rice lived his life as a force for justice and community, proving that greatness is built not just on talent, but on heart. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/d7ec6fe1f13e5f20