[COLUMBIA, S.C.] – Collins & Lacy, P.C. is pleased to announce that Joel W. Collins, Jr. and Gray T. Culbreath have been invited to join the Litigation Counsel of America.
The Litigation Counsel of America is a trial lawyer honorary society composed of less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers. Fellows are selected based upon effectiveness and accomplishments in litigation, both at the trial and appellate levels, and superior ethical reputation. The mission of the LCA is to recognize deserving, experienced, and highly qualified lawyers, to foster a cohesive membership for the exchange of ideas, to advance superior advocacy and ethical standards in the practice of law, to provide a channel for scholarly creativity and authorship of legal articles devoted to trial and litigation subjects, to offer resources for further professional development, and to assist in community involvement by its membership.
Joel Collins is a founding shareholder of Collins & Lacy. He received his undergraduate degree from Clemson University in 1965 and earned his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1968. Mr. Collins recently completed his term as the 2008 President of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates, (ABOTA). ABOTA is the national organization of experienced trial attorneys dedicated to preserving the constitutional right to jury trials. In 2005, he received the James Petigru Compleat Lawyer Award from the University of South Carolina School of Law. Mr. Collins was selected for Best Lawyers 2008 and Super Lawyers 2009 and has an AV rating with Martindale-Hubbell.
Gray Culbreath is the managing partner for Collins & Lacy. His practice focus includes products liability, class action litigation, transportation litigation, business and commercial litigation, and professional negligence claims. Additionally, he conducts an active appellate practice for his regional and national clients. Mr. Culbreath earned his undergraduate degree from Wofford College and received his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law. He is an active member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel and the International Association of Defense Counsel. He is a member of Lawyers for Civil Justice and the Defense Research Institute and serves as Secretary for the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys Association. Mr. Culbreath is also an active member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and currently serves as the Chair of the South Carolina State Museum Commission. He has been selected for Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers, and recently received the 2009 James Petigru Compleat Lawyer Award from the University of South Carolina School of Law. Mr. Culbreath is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
