Draft:Richard Rice
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Comment: None of the sources discuss Mr. Rice in detail. Because of this, most of the article is unsourced, see WP:verifiability. This draft also has a promotional tone that needs to be corrected. Ca talk to me! 01:46, 7 June 2025 (UTC)
Richard A. Rice | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 7, 1982 Huntsville, Alabama, U.S. |
| Education | University of Alabama (BS) University of Alabama School of Law (JD) |
| Occupation | Attorney |
| Known for | Civil rights litigation |
Richard A. Rice (born January 7, 1982) is an American civil rights attorney, founder of The Rice Firm, LLC, based in Birmingham, Alabama. His legal practice focuses on civil rights litigation, police misconduct, economic justice, and community development. Rice is known for representing families and individuals in high-profile civil rights and wrongful death cases in Alabama.
Early life and education
[edit]Rice was born in Huntsville, Alabama. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Business Administration with a concentration in Economics from the University of Alabama in 2004. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law in 2008.[1]
Legal career
[edit]Rice founded The Rice Firm, LLC, a law practice in Birmingham, Alabama, focused on civil rights litigation, police misconduct, personal injury, and community-centered legal advocacy. He gained statewide attention for representing the family of a man shot and killed by police, leading to a landmark $4.5 million jury verdict, later reduced and settled by the city of Birmingham.[2]
In 2025, Rice represented the family of an inmate who died due to alleged neglect and unsafe conditions at the Birmingham City Jail. The lawsuit accused city officials of failing to provide basic care, highlighting broader issues within the city’s detention facilities.[3]
He also served as lead counsel in a 2024 lawsuit filed by Black contractors seeking to halt the construction of a publicly funded amphitheater, alleging racial discrimination in the allocation of city contracts.[4]
In 2024, Richard Rice provided pro bono legal representation to 100 individuals arrested during protests in the cities of Hoover and Birmingham, Alabama. As part of the legal resolution, Rice collaborated with Hoover Municipal Court officials and the Freedom Riders Training Academy, founded by original Freedom Rider, Charles Person to implement an alternative sentencing program. The remedial training offered those arrested the opportunity to participate in civic education by taking a video course curriculum rooting in the teachings of the Civil Rights Movement as it relates to the principles of peaceful demonstration and the enduring importance of First Amendment rights.
The Freedom Riders Training Academy reduced court caseloads while advancing restorative justice principles. It has since been recognized as a model for legal and social reform efforts in municipalities dealing with protests across the United States.[5]
Advocacy and public engagement
[edit]In addition to his legal work, Rice is active in public policy and advocacy around civil rights, police accountability, and economic development in historically underserved communities. His firm’s mission is rooted in advancing social justice and creating equitable access to legal representation.
Rice frequently speaks at public events and forums addressing systemic racism, community investment, and the intersection of law and social change. He has been recognized for his work in uplifting marginalized voices and creating pathways to justice through strategic litigation and coalition-building.
Outside the courtroom, Rice has been an active advocate for racial and environmental justice. He serves on the board of directors of GASP, a nonprofit organization focused on air pollution and public health in Alabama.[6] His work bridges civil rights and environmental advocacy, reflecting a holistic approach to equity and community empowerment.
Rice has spoken extensively about systemic racism, economic disparity, and the need for equitable development in Birmingham and throughout the South. His public commentary and community engagement reflect his commitment to transformative justice and democratic access to legal representation.[7]
He is also an advocate for mentoring young professionals and expanding opportunities for Black lawyers and entrepreneurs in Alabama. Through his law firm and local partnerships, Rice promotes civic education and supports initiatives that build economic mobility in underserved communities.[8]
See also
[edit]- Bryan Stevenson
- Civil rights movement in Birmingham, Alabama
- GASP
- Voting rights in the United States
References
[edit]- ^ "Top 40 Under 40: Richard Allan Rice, The Rice Firm LLC". Birmingham Business Journal. April 16, 2020.
- ^ "Birmingham settles police shooting lawsuit after judge reduces $4.5 million jury verdict". AL.com. January 24, 2025.
- ^ "Lawsuit alleges inhumane conditions, neglect at Birmingham jail caused inmate's death". AL.com. February 14, 2025.
- ^ "Black contractors sue, ask for halt to construction of Birmingham amphitheater". AL.com. May 7, 2024.
- ^ "Freedom Riders Training Academy Hoover Case Study".
- ^ "Our Leadership". GASP.
- ^ "Top 40 Under 40: Richard Allan Rice, The Rice Firm LLC". Birmingham Business Journal. April 16, 2020.
- ^ "Richard Rice - Attorney - The Rice Firm, LLC". LinkedIn.