Michael E. Elsner

Michael Elsner litigates complex civil matters on behalf of people and businesses victimized by commercial malfeasance, violations of human rights, acts of terrorism, occupational disease and environmental disasters. He manages large-scale cross-border litigation and conducts detailed factual investigations.

Michael's understanding of the complex legal challenges in international litigation is critical to uncovering admissible evidence and developing opportunities for client recovery. He tracks historical corporate conduct and uncovers illicit finances, money laundering and terrorist financing through a maze of international banking and financial regulations. His investigations have aided victims of human rights abuses and plaintiffs harmed by financial crimes. Through these efforts he has held global institutions and organizations accountable.

Michael represents the family of slain DEA Special Agent Enrique 'Kiki' Camarena in their recently filed civil suit against the Sinaloa Cartel and individuals within the organization.

Michael leads the firm in its role as consultant to South African human rights lawyer Richard Spoor, seeking justice for tens of thousands of gold mineworkers who are suffering from silicosis. Few class actions have been brought in South Africa, and this is the first of its kind for sick workers. Michael assisted Spoor as a lead negotiator of the settlement agreement reached for sick gold miners and their dependents. The settlement generated an unprecedented means of recovery and helped ensure meaningful access to justice for the indigent and rural workers who are dying from this entirely preventable yet incurable disease.

Michael was lead plaintiffs' counsel in the historic litigation, Linde et al. v. Arab Bank, a suit brought by victims of terrorist attacks in Israel that alleged Arab Bank played a role in financing Hamas and other Israeli terrorist organizations. This litigation marked the first time a financial institution was brought to trial under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The case resolved through a confidential settlement. Michael was also co-lead counsel in a parallel suit, representing thousands of non-U.S. citizens, Jesner v. Arab Bank, which was heard by the U.S. Supreme Court under the Alien Tort Statute regarding violations of customary international law by foreign corporations.

He also plays a leading role with Motley Rice’s team of attorneys in representing states and municipalities against the opioid industry, including manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies. This litigation alleges opioid companies created and fueled the opioid epidemic that claims thousands of Americans every year, through deceptive marketing and over distribution of highly addictive opioids.

As a leading member of the firm’s antiterrorism and human rights practice, Michael represents U.S. military service members and contractors who were injured by EFP roadside bombs while serving in Iraq. He also leads the worldwide investigation for liability evidence in the 9/11 Families United to Bankrupt Terrorism civil action against al Qaeda's alleged financiers and supporters. In this capacity, Michael meets with U.S. and foreign intelligence officers, witnesses, and informants, who have already helped him gather more than two million pages of documents in numerous languages identifying the activities of al Qaeda and its financiers. He is a member of the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee for this multidistrict litigation filed on behalf of more than 6,500 families and survivors of the 9/11 attacks. He also served as a member of the Plaintiffs' Committee in In re September 11th Litigation, a suit brought against the airline industry alleging that it failed to detect and prevent the attacks.

Michael's work with financial transaction litigation includes commercial, securities fraud and shareholder derivative cases such as his extensive work on behalf of domestic and foreign investors in In re Vivendi Universal, S.A. Securities Litigation.

Michael began his career with the Manville Personal Injury Trust and then practiced complex civil litigation in New York in the areas of toxic torts, security, personal injury, bankruptcy, and whistleblower protections prior to joining Motley Rice attorneys in 2002.

Sharing his experience and insight as a lecturer and consultant, Michael has discussed anti-terrorism and human rights litigation on several national and international news outlets, including CNN, MSNBC, NPR and the BBC, as well as international anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism industry conferences.

*Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Awards, Accolades & Recognitions

Best Lawyers

Charleston, SC
2026 Aviation law

2025-2026 Mass tort litigation / class actions-plaintiffs

2025-2026 Personal injury litigation-plaintiffs

2024-2026 Product liability litigation-plaintiffs

Lawdragon

2020-2026 Lawdragon 500 Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers
Human Rights, Terrorism

2019-2025 Lawdragon 500 Plaintiff Financial Lawyers
Anti-Terrorism, Human Rights, Toxic Exposure

2014-2015 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America

2010 Lawdragon 3,000

Benchmark Litigation

2016-2018 South Carolina “Litigation Star”: personal Injury, product liability, general commercial, professional liability

Public Justice Foundation

2016 Trial Lawyers of the Year

South Carolina Lawyers Weekly

2014 Leadership in Law Honoree

National Law Journal

2014 Litigation Trailblazers

Blog Posts

September 23, 2014

Only in America Causes, Not Just Cases

by: Michael E. Elsner

April 28, 2014

Are foreign sovereigns more protected under U.S. law than U.S. citizens? Causes, Not Just Cases

by: Michael E. Elsner

News

April 28, 2025

The history and legacy of Workers’ Memorial Day

by:
M. Nolan Webb

March 20, 2025

Family of DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena Files U.S. Lawsuit Against the Sinaloa Cartel, Three Indicted Cartel Founders

by: Motley Rice