Mr. Collins is an attorney and educator celebrating more than 55 years of distinction in constitutional law and civil litigation.
COLUMBIA, SC, January 12, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Joel W. Collins Jr. has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Mr. Collins is an attorney and educator celebrating more than 55 years of distinction in constitutional law and civil litigation. He holds a bachelor's degree in English and history from Clemson University, and completed his Juris Doctor in 1968 at the University of South Carolina. Mr. Collins began his legal practice while a member of the Judge Advocate General's Corps of the United States Army. He was deployed to Vietnam for one year as a member of the Americal Division, for which he was decorated with a Bronze Star and an Army Commendation Medal. Mr. Collins began teaching constitutional law in 1970 at the United States Military Academy West Point, which led to later opportunities to teach at institutions including Clemson University, and the South Carolina Honors College.
After returning to civilian life, Mr. Collins practiced with the international firm O'Haire and Fiore, based in Frankfurt, Germany. He developed an early career reputation for thoroughness, attention to detail, and the unique perspective that working both overseas and in the Judge Advocate General's Corps had granted him. Mr. Collins was appointed assistant United States attorney for the District of South Carolina, where his work focused on investigating and prosecuting white-collar cases. In 1984, he founded Collins & Lacy, PC., where he continues to practice with a focus on professional liability cases, white-collar criminal defense, and complex civil litigation.
Since 2010, Mr. Collins has been an adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina Honors College, where he teaches courses covering the United States Constitution. He is the author of many of the course materials, and has published extensively in the West Point Press, Primerus Paradigm, ABOTA Voir Dire magazine, and other outlets throughout his career. Mr. Collins' professional journey has included contributions to numerous professional organizations, including service as president and on the board of directors of the South Carolina chapter of the National Safety Council, founding the Clemson University William T. Howell Pre-Law Society and the Wofford College Edward K. Hardin III Pre-Law Society, and a term as president of the American Board of Trial Advocates, a post he considers a career highlight.
Mr. Collins has been the recipient of many awards and accolades, including selection for Super Lawyers, South Carolina Super Lawyers Top 25, Best Lawyers, and a South Carolina Lawyers Weekly Leadership in the Law Award. He has been honored with the 2018 South Carolina Governor's Order of the Palmetto and the American Board of Trial Advocates' inaugural Chapter Service Award and Masters in Trial Awards, as well as alumni awards from Clemson University, the University of South Carolina School of Law, and recognitions from the Friends of Juvenile Justice Foundation, among many others. Mr. Collins has been a proud Rotarian for more than 35 years, holding several leadership roles and earning the distinction of being a two-time Lake Murray Irmo Club Rotarian of the Year. He credits his success to hard work, exacting standards, and maintaining strong professional relationships, and hopes to focus more on teaching in the coming years.
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