David M. Collins, Jr.  Areas of Practice Adoptions Divorce Child Custody and Visitation Criminal Defense Personal Injury Licenses Licensed to Practice Law in the State of South Carolina Licensed to Practice Law in the State of North Carolina Licensed to Practice Law in the Federal District Court of South Carolina Licensed to Practice Law in the Federal Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals Certifications, Memberships and Accreditations Board Certified in Family Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy AV© Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbel Certified Family Court Mediator in the State of South Carolina Member South Carolina Collaborative Law Institute Member Upstate Collaborative Law Group Speaking Engagements Lecturer at Continuing Legal Education Seminar entitled “Your Family Law Practice in the 21st Century” on March 31, 2008 Topics presented: CHILD CUSTODY/PARENTING ALLOCATION AND CHILD SUPPORT Handling Custody Under the Revised Supreme Court Rules New Avenues in Collecting and Preserving the Evidence Illustrating Character and Proving Reputation of the Parent Assisted Reproduction (Custody of Embryos) Grandparents’ and Stepparents’ Custody and Visitation Rights Examining the Mental Health Professionals in Custody Hearings Parenting Coordinators (and Others Deciding the Child’s Life) Relocation Challenges   ADOPTIONS Same-Sex Partner Adoptions Contested Adoptions International Adoptions Lecturer at Continuing Legal Education Seminar entitled “Child Custody from A to Z: In the Child’s Best Interest” on February 3, 2009 Topics presented: BASIC PROCEDURAL STEPS Jurisdiction and Relevant Law (UCCJEA) Who is the Decision Maker? (Judge vs. Other Neutrals) Custody Process Step-by-Step Sample Petitions and Motions Obtaining and Using Guardian ad Litem Report – Sample GAL Report Review Custody Modification Procedure MAKING THE BEST USE OF CUSTODY MEDIATION AND PARENTING COORDINATORS Qualifying the Neutral Determining the Fee Arrangement Attorney’s Role in the Process Preparing Your Client for the Negotiations Must-Have Components of the Parenting Plan/Agreement The Court’s Role in the Process Lecturer at Continuing Legal Education Seminar entitled “Advanced Issues in Divorce” on May 4, 2009 Topics presented: CHILD CUSTODY, CHILD SUPPORT AND CASES INVOLVING DOMESTIC ABUSE Handling Custody Under the Revised Supreme Court Rules New Avenues in Collecting and Preserving the Evidence The Brave New World of Custody in Assisted Reproduction (Including: custody of embryos and frozen sperm, in vitro fertilization and surrogacy) Custody and Visitation Rights of Non-Biological Parents (Including: domestic partners, de facto parents, non-marrieds who raised the child, aunts, uncles, same sex partners, etc.) Qualifying and Examining the Mental Health Professionals in Custody Hearings Parenting Coordinators (and Others Deciding the Child’s Life) Relocation Challenges Custody Cases Involving Allegations of Abuse of Children Restraining and Protective Orders and Injunctive Relief Child Testimony in Child Abuse Cases Law Enforcement Involvement Child Sexual Abuse Evaluations Mutual Spouse Abuse Allegations Dealing with Therapy Privilege Hearsay Rule POST-DIVORCE CONSIDERATIONS Preserving Issues for Appeal From the Start Appeals Process and Tips Realistic Child Support and Alimony Enforcement Post-Divorce Financial Planning – Give Your Client a Clear To-Do List   Lecturer at Continuing Legal Education Seminar entitled “2009 Hot Tips from the Coolest Domestic Practitioners” on September 18, 2009 Topics presented: Assisted Reproductive Technology   Lecture title: The Land of ART*: Where Carriers, Surrogates, Donors and Intendeds Live. (* Assisted Reproductive Technology) Lecturer at Continuing Legal Education Seminar entitled “Family Law From A to Z” on October 15, 2009 Topics presented: LEGAL UPDATE – A YEAR IN REVIEW   Procedural Rules for Family Law Cases Case Law Update: Family Law Application of Recent Cases and Amended Statutes to Your Cases CHILD CUSTODY AND VISITATION RIGHTS Petition for Visitation Petition for Custody Motion for a Change of Custody or Visitation Questions of Paternity Termination of Parental Rights The Rights of Grandparents and Other Relatives Checklist of Necessary Documents and Sample Forms ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION Family Law Q&A Hot Topic Issues and Problem Areas Lecturer at Continuing Legal Education Seminar entitled “Advanced Family Law” on February 8, 2010 Topics presented: A CLOSER LOOK AT PATERNITY DISPUTES   Current Case Law Paternity Fraud Paternal Rights Update on Paternity Affidavits VIOLENCE IN THE HOME   Restraining Order vs. Protective Order Disputing False Allegations Adult Protective Services Child Protective Services Child Abduction Lecturer at Continuing Legal Education Teleseminar entitled “Mental Health Evidence in Divorce” on March 3, 2010 Topics presented: MENTAL HEALTH EVIDENCE IN DIVORCE   Common Types of Mental Health Issues Affecting Custody and Financial Issues Common Types of Mental Health Professionals in Divorce Cases Selecting, Hiring and Working With a Mental Health Expert Examining the Mental Health Professional at Trial Biography Mr. Collins was born on February 27, 1971 in Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia. He grew up in Landrum, South Carolina where he attended Landrum High School. Mr. Collins played football, baseball and was on the wrestling team while in high school. When he graduated in 1989, he was named “Most Likely to Succeed”. He then received his college education by attending Newberry College in Newberry, South Carolina, the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia and the University of South Carolina – Spartanburg in Spartanburg, South Carolina. While attending the University of South Carolina – Spartanburg, Mr. Collins helped create the first USC-S Mock Trial Team and was selected as its founding President. As the founding President, Mr. Collins competed in regional and national mock trial competitions. Mr. Collins graduated and received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of South Carolina – Spartanburg in 1993. His major was Criminal Justice and he was named the Outstanding Criminal Justice Graduate of 1993. After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree, Mr. Collins attended graduate school. He studied for his Master’s Degree in Public Administration through the University of South Carolina and Clemson University. While studying for his Master’s degree, Mr. Collins did an internship at the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office where he learned about the inner workings of law enforcement agencies. When he completed his classroom work for his Master’s in Public Administration, Mr. Collins decided to fulfill his life-long ambition of becoming a lawyer. Mr. Collins attended law school in Columbia, South Carolina at the University of South Carolina Law School. While in law school, Mr. Collins served as a page in the South Carolina House of Representatives and then worked as a law clerk for the firm of Harris & Graves in Columbia, South Carolina. During this time, Mr. Collins learned about the legal profession and helping those in need while in class and at work. Mr. Collins received his Juris Doctorate from the University Of South Carolina School Of Law in 1998. He took and passed the South Carolina Bar Exam in July 1998 and was sworn into the South Carolina Bar on November 16, 1998. Mr. Collins decided in 2006 to expand his practice into North Carolina. In February 2006, he took and passed the North Carolina Bar Exam. He was admitted to practice in the Courts of North Carolina on June 30, 2006. Mr. Collins is now licensed to practice law in the State Courts of South Carolina and North Carolina. He is also licensed to practice law in the Federal District Court of South Carolina, the United States Tax Court, and the Federal Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Collins is also a certified South Carolina Family Court Mediator. During his practice, Mr. Collins has represented clients at every level of trial and appellate court in the State of South Carolina. He has tried criminal cases in City Court, Magistrate Court, and the Court of General Sessions. He has represented clients charged with a variety of crimes that range from Petty Larceny to Murder. He has presented clients in civil lawsuits in Magistrate Court and the Court of Common Pleas. He has also handled cases in the South Carolina Federal District Court, the South Carolina Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of South Carolina.