Joel Collins co-founded Collins & Lacy, P.C. in 1984. He has devoted his practice to professional liability law,, and complex civil litigation. Joel defends a variety of licensed professionals including healthcare providers, pharmacists, financial advisors, attorneys, and insurance brokers and agents in claims against their job performance. Joel is skilled in defending complex civil litigation suits involving a variety of civil disputes including professional malpractice, breach of contract, breach of non-compete agreements, and tortious interference with contractual rights.

Upon graduation from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1968, 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 a large national firm, Joel established his own South Carolina 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 past role as National President of ABOTA. Joel also enjoys a variety of volunteer activities in the community. Joel’s professional standing and his reputation in the courtroom have led his peers to consider him one of South Carolina’s preeminent attorneys, according to Martindale-Hubbell. He is also 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.

In 2018, Joel received the Governor’s Order of the Palmetto award, the state’s highest civilian honor. Since 1971, the Order of the Palmetto has been awarded to citizens for remarkable service and contribution to South Carolina and her people. Also in 2018, Joel was inducted into the SC Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame (inaugural class), honoring attorneys age 60 and older who have had significant impacts on the legal profession in the Palmetto State.

Practice Areas

  • Professional Liability

Education

  • University of South Carolina School of Law, Juris Doctor
  • Clemson University, B.A., English

Bar and Court Admissions

  •  South Carolina
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Services
  • U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. Federal Court of Claims
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Awards and Recognition

Professional, Civic, and Community Involvement

Papers and Publications

Speaking Engagements

  • Rotary Club of Lake Murray, Irmo, Florence Rotary Club, Rotary Club of Five Points "The End of Lawful Segregation" 2018
  • University of South Carolina Last Lecture Series, "Be True to Your School" February 2016
  • Central South Carolina Mensa, "800th Magna Carta Anniversary" May 2016
  • New Hampshire Public Radio: "Founding Documents: Magna Carta"
  • Rotary Club of Five Points, "The Fourteenth Amendment"