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Paul T. Collins
Partner
Meridian
1320 Main Street
17th Floor
Columbia, SC 29201
1320 Main Street
17th Floor
Columbia, SC 29201
paul.collins@nelsonmullins.com
Paul focuses his practice on commercial litigation, business torts, franchise and distribution, civil litigation, and class action defense. Paul has tried over 20 cases to verdict in both state and federal courts and handled cases through mediation and arbitration. He has vast experience dealing with legal matters where he represents clients throughout the country including...
Paul focuses his practice on commercial litigation, business torts, franchise and distribution, civil litigation, and class action defense. Paul has tried over 20 cases to verdict in both state and federal courts and handled cases through mediation and arbitration. He has vast experience dealing with legal matters where he represents clients throughout the country including those based in South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, California, North Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Michigan, and Florida.
those based in South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, California, North Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Michigan, and Florida.
Experience
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.
- Has tried over 20 cases to verdict, including cases in both state and federal court
- Has represented clients as lead counsel in cases in South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, California, North Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Michigan, and Florida
- Has served as lead counsel in many complex litigation matters involving multiple parties and multiple jurisdictions
- Represented an international automobile manufacturer in its withdrawal from the U.S. market
- Has represented Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. in a wide range of litigation and non-litigation matters, including dealer-related matters and certain multi-district litigation class action matters related to the Volkswagen's sale of certain diesel vehicles in the U.S.
- Has experience defending companies in class actions in both state and federal courts, including wage, hour and RICO class actions
- Has worked on numerous matters in the area of automobile franchise litigation, including cases for motor vehicle and heavy truck manufacturers arising from add points, relocations, terminations, warranty and incentive payments, allocations, and other aspects of the manufacturer-dealer relationship
- Has experience counseling and defending automobile manufacturers in breach of warranty matters including alleged violations of “lemon laws”
- Has experience handling cases through mediation and arbitration
Education
- University of South Carolina School of Law, JD (2002)
- University of South Carolina, BA, Political Science, concentration in Political Theory (1999)
Admissions
- South Carolina
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.
- Has tried over 20 cases to verdict, including cases in both state and federal court
- Has represented clients as lead counsel in cases in South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, California, North Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Michigan, and Florida
- Has served as lead counsel in many complex litigation matters involving multiple parties and multiple jurisdictions
- Represented an international automobile manufacturer in its withdrawal from the U.S. market
- Has represented Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. in a wide range of litigation and non-litigation matters, including dealer-related matters and certain multi-district litigation class action matters related to the Volkswagen's sale of certain diesel vehicles in the U.S.
- Has experience defending companies in class actions in both state and federal courts, including wage, hour and RICO class actions
- Has worked on numerous matters in the area of automobile franchise litigation, including cases for motor vehicle and heavy truck manufacturers arising from add points, relocations, terminations, warranty and incentive payments, allocations, and other aspects of the manufacturer-dealer relationship
- Has experience counseling and defending automobile manufacturers in breach of warranty matters including alleged violations of “lemon laws”
- Has experience handling cases through mediation and arbitration
Media
Recognitions
The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.
- S.C. Supreme Court Pro Bono Honor Roll (2019, 2020)
- Rated AV® Preeminent Peer Review, Martindale-Hubbell
Professional Activities
- South Carolina Bar
- American Bar Association
- Richland County Bar Association
Military
- United States Army (1987-1991)
- Received the Army Achievement Medal for service with an infantry detachment responsible for patrolling the East German Border (1988)
- Received the Army Commendation Medal for service with the 101st Airborne Division in the Gulf War (1991)
- Received Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Combat Infantryman Badge
Paul focuses his practice on commercial litigation, business torts, franchise and distribution, civil litigation, and class action defense. Paul has tried over 20 cases to verdict in both state and federal courts and handled cases through mediation and arbitration. He has vast experience dealing with legal matters where he represents clients throughout the country including...
those based in South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, California, North Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Michigan, and Florida.
Experience
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.- Has tried over 20 cases to verdict, including cases in both state and federal court
- Has represented clients as lead counsel in cases in South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, California, North Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Michigan, and Florida
- Has served as lead counsel in many complex litigation matters involving multiple parties and multiple jurisdictions
- Represented an international automobile manufacturer in its withdrawal from the U.S. market
- Has represented Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. in a wide range of litigation and non-litigation matters, including dealer-related matters and certain multi-district litigation class action matters related to the Volkswagen's sale of certain diesel vehicles in the U.S.
- Has experience defending companies in class actions in both state and federal courts, including wage, hour and RICO class actions
- Has worked on numerous matters in the area of automobile franchise litigation, including cases for motor vehicle and heavy truck manufacturers arising from add points, relocations, terminations, warranty and incentive payments, allocations, and other aspects of the manufacturer-dealer relationship
- Has experience counseling and defending automobile manufacturers in breach of warranty matters including alleged violations of “lemon laws”
- Has experience handling cases through mediation and arbitration
Education
- University of South Carolina School of Law, JD (2002)
- University of South Carolina, BA, Political Science, concentration in Political Theory (1999)
Admissions
- South Carolina
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
Practice Areas
The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.
- S.C. Supreme Court Pro Bono Honor Roll (2019, 2020)
- Rated AV® Preeminent Peer Review, Martindale-Hubbell
- South Carolina Bar
- American Bar Association
- Richland County Bar Association
- United States Army (1987-1991)
- Received the Army Achievement Medal for service with an infantry detachment responsible for patrolling the East German Border (1988)
- Received the Army Commendation Medal for service with the 101st Airborne Division in the Gulf War (1991)
- Received Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Combat Infantryman Badge
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