Lawyer Bio : David M. Collins
David M. Collins
Charleston
David has litigated a wide variety of cases in the state and federal courts of South Carolina. On the state side, he has handled matters in Allendale, Anderson, Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Greenville, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland, Spartanburg and York counties, including jury trials to conclusion. In federal court, he has experience before Judges Joe Anderson, Blatt, Curry, Duffy, Gergel, Harwell, Houck, Herlong, Norton, Seymor, Shedd and Wooten. David has represented recreational boating concerns, including major manufacturers of boats, personal watercraft, engines and accessories, as well as marinas, boat yards, yacht management companies and operators.
Representative Matters:
Any result the lawyer or law firm may have achieved on behalf of clients in other matters does not necessarily indicate similar results can be obtained for other clients.
Representative Matters:
Any result the lawyer or law firm may have achieved on behalf of clients in other matters does not necessarily indicate similar results can be obtained for other clients.
- Defense verdict for marine engine manufacturer in claim involving serious facial disfigurement due to a propeller strike.
- Defense verdict in wrongful death products liability case for Belgian manufacturer.
- Obtained a defense judgment and award of attorney’s fees relating to a business tort claim in India with alleged damages in excess of $10,000,000.
Contact
- (843) 720-4618
- (843) 723-7398
Professional Activities
Bar Associations: Member, American Boat & Yacht Council, 1991-Present; South Carolina Bar, ADR Section Member, 1994-Present.
Defense Research Institute: Admiralty Committee, Recreational Boating Subcommittee, 1996-present; Maritime Law Association of the United States: Member, 1986-Present, Carriage of Goods Committee, Electronic Communication and Documentation Committee, 1996-Present, Intermodal Subcommittee, 1988-1991; University of South Carolina School of Law, Adjunct Faculty Member, Spring 1996; Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute: Member, 1987-Present, Chairman, 2002, Vice Chairman, 2001, Secretary, 2000, Treasurer, 1999, Chairman, Long Range Planning Committee, 1994-1997, Editor-in-Chief, Newsletter, 1993-1994, Long Range Planning Committee, 1991-Present, Port Director, 1989-1991; International Trade Certificate Program, Trident Technical College, Spring 1995.
Admitted to bar: 1986, South Carolina.
Admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals of the Fourth Circuit.
Approved Mediator, United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Certified Circuit Court Mediator.
Defense Research Institute: Admiralty Committee, Recreational Boating Subcommittee, 1996-present; Maritime Law Association of the United States: Member, 1986-Present, Carriage of Goods Committee, Electronic Communication and Documentation Committee, 1996-Present, Intermodal Subcommittee, 1988-1991; University of South Carolina School of Law, Adjunct Faculty Member, Spring 1996; Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute: Member, 1987-Present, Chairman, 2002, Vice Chairman, 2001, Secretary, 2000, Treasurer, 1999, Chairman, Long Range Planning Committee, 1994-1997, Editor-in-Chief, Newsletter, 1993-1994, Long Range Planning Committee, 1991-Present, Port Director, 1989-1991; International Trade Certificate Program, Trident Technical College, Spring 1995.
Admitted to bar: 1986, South Carolina.
Admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals of the Fourth Circuit.
Approved Mediator, United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Certified Circuit Court Mediator.
Education
B.A., Political Science, 1982, College of Charleston, magna cum laude; Palmetto State Fellowship, Outstanding Senior; President, Omicron Delta Kappa; Pi Sigma Alpha, Harper B. Keller Award; Phi Kappa Phi; Robert E. Lee Scholarship.
J.D., 1985, Tulane Law School, summa cum laude; Tulane Honor Scholarship; Cuthbert S. Baldwin, Ray Forrester, Robert G. Polack and Ralph J. Schwarz Awards; Order of the Coif; Associate Editor, Tulane Law Review, 1983-1985; First Place – Maritime Law Writing Competition.
LL.M (Admiralty), 1986, Tulane Law School, with distinction; Maritime Law Fellowship.
J.D., 1985, Tulane Law School, summa cum laude; Tulane Honor Scholarship; Cuthbert S. Baldwin, Ray Forrester, Robert G. Polack and Ralph J. Schwarz Awards; Order of the Coif; Associate Editor, Tulane Law Review, 1983-1985; First Place – Maritime Law Writing Competition.
LL.M (Admiralty), 1986, Tulane Law School, with distinction; Maritime Law Fellowship.
Publications
Marine Insurance Fraud: Sinking Ships in a Falling Market, 2 Maritime Law Bulletin 11 (2011).
The Tanker's Right of Harmless Discharge, 18 J. Mar.L. & Comm. 275 (1987).
Comments on the American Theory of In Rem Liability, 9 Mar. Law. 71 (1985).
International Uniformity and the Carriage of Goods by Sea, 50 Tul.L.Rev. 165 (1985).
Admiralty-Beverly v. Action Marine, Inc.: Twilight or Total Eclipse?, 58 tul.L.Rev. 1237 (1984).
The Tanker's Right of Harmless Discharge, 18 J. Mar.L. & Comm. 275 (1987).
Comments on the American Theory of In Rem Liability, 9 Mar. Law. 71 (1985).
International Uniformity and the Carriage of Goods by Sea, 50 Tul.L.Rev. 165 (1985).
Admiralty-Beverly v. Action Marine, Inc.: Twilight or Total Eclipse?, 58 tul.L.Rev. 1237 (1984).
Presentations
“The Current Status of Miles v. Apex Marine Corporation,” presentation at Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute Annual Seminar, 1995.
“Recent Developments in the Fourth and Other Circuits,” presentation at Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute Annual Seminar, 1990.
“Recent Developments in the Fourth and Other Circuits,” presentation at Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute Annual Seminar, 1990.
Areas of Proficiency
- Maritime Law
- Product Liability
Honors
