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Joel W. Collins Jr.

1330 Lady Street Sixth Floor, P.O. Box 12487 (29211)
Columbia, SC 29201
TEL: 803.255.0423
FAX: 803.771.4484
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Joel W. Collins is a founding partner of Collins & Lacy, P.C.  Upon graduation from the University of  South Carolina School of Law, Joel served four years in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAGC) of the United States Army and served one year in Viet Nam with the Americal Division, where he was awarded the Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medals.  Joel also served as an assistant professor of law at the United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.   He then spent two years with the Frankfurt, Germany law firm of O’Haire and Fiore, after which he was appointed Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina, focusing on the investigation and prosecution of white-collar criminal cases. 

In 1982, after three years with the firm of Nelson, Mullins, Riley & Scarborough, Joel established his own practice, which later became Collins & Lacy.  He has held numerous leadership positions in civic organizations including Rotary, National Safety Council and the ABOTA Foundation, including his current role as President Elect of ABOTA. Joel also enjoys a variety of volunteer activities in the community.  Joel’s reputation in the courtroom and professional standing have led his peers to consider him one of South Carolina’s preeminent attorneys, according to Martindale-Hubbell. He also is honored by South Carolina Super Lawyers© and Best Lawyers in America©, two of the oldest and most respected peer-reviews in the legal profession. In 2012, Primerus honored Joel with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his longtime support and service to Primerus.

Click here for a detailed account of Joel's life, mission and dedicated service to South Carolina.

Practice Focus/Trial Experience

  • White-Collar Criminal Defense: criminal cases alleging abuse of federally funded programs, income tax evasion, securities fraud and racketeering.
  • Complex Civil Litigation: wide variety of civil disputes including professional malpractice, breach of contract, breach of non-compete agreements and tortious interference with contracual rights.

Awards and Recognition

Professional, Civic and Community Involvement

Papers, Presentations and Publications 

  • Published Case: Team IA v. Lucas
  • Honors College Course Instructor on the history, philosophy and interpretations of the United States Constitution, including recreation of the debates during the Constitutional Convention in 1787, University of South Carolina, August 2010. Click here for the course syllabus. 
  • "Growing a Law Firm That Stays Together," Primerus Paradigm, Fall 2009, 28-30
  • "Charles Pinckney and the Seventh Amendment," Voir Dire, Fall 2009, 4-8 
  • "The Advantages of the American Civil Jury Trial System,"  Voir Dire, Spring 2008
  • "The Benefits of the American Jury System," ABOTA Foundation Conference, "Judges and Attorneys in Interaction:  The Commonalities and Differences in the Portugese and American Legal Systems," May 2008, Lisbon, Portugal
  • Maymester Course Instructor on the history, philosophy and interpretations of the United States Constitution, including recreation of the debates during the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Clemson University, May 2007
  • "The Saga of Marbury v. Madison," November 2006 
  • "The Vacancy Crisis in our Federal Courts," Voir Dire, Volume 4, Issue 4, 1997
  • "Junior Officer’s Guide to the Legal Aspects of Command,"  West Point Press, 1972

Speaking Engagements