About Collin

Collin is VF&N’s appellate associate and a member of the criminal defense and civil litigation teams. As a former prosecutor, he has significant trial experience, but he has spent his education and legal career emphasizing the importance of appellate litigation and preparing the trial record for appellate review. Collin has filed over 50 appellate briefs in the Court of Appeals of Virginia and the Supreme Court of Virginia and presented over 15 oral arguments.

Collin’s interest in appellate law started at Lee University, where he majored in both History and Political Science. He competed in mock trial competitions and learned about moot court, which are mock appellate arguments based on current legal questions. He argued in three moot courts, including leading the university’s first moot court team at the Tennessee Appellate Moot Court Collegiate Challenge.

At William & Mary Law School, Collin worked as the teaching assistant for Advanced Appellate Brief-Writing. He competed in three national moot court competitions and was awarded the Order of Barristers for excellence in oral advocacy and brief-writing. In his third year, Collin co-authored a brief to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in United States v. Guzman, No. 16-4749 (4th Cir. Apr. 6, 2018).

Collin served Prince William County as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable James A. Willett and as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney. As a prosecutor, he concentrated on violent crime, narcotics distribution, DUIs, and vehicular homicide. After several years at the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office, Collin transitioned into the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia, focusing his practice on criminal appeals and post-conviction litigation.

Q&A: Get to Know Collin

When you are not practicing law, what do you enjoy doing?

My wife, Mary, and I love to rewatch our favorite television shows and find new shows to watch together. I also love to show her new or classic movies from great filmmakers.

If I’m not watching a show or movie, I’m most likely cooking, playing golf, or working out in my home gym. I also enjoy solving difficult sudoku puzzles and playing chess or other board games.

What sparked your interest in appellate law?

I have always loved reading and debating different ideas with people. My parents always told me that I would be a lawyer because of that, but I disagreed and started down a different path. While at Lee University, though, I learned more about appellate specialists and how, at its core, appellate practice is primarily: reading about the law, writing about the law, and debating the law with smart people. I had my first moot court event, which is a mock appellate argument, and I was hooked.

How did you meet your wife?

Mary and I met while attending William & Mary Law School. During my first year, my main goal was to be selected for the Moot Court team. Shortly after I joined, Mary became the Chief Justice and head of the program. I was a member of the leadership in my second year, and we spent a lot of time together. We fell in love and have been together ever since. She graduated in 2017, one year ahead of me, and is an attorney for the Department of Justice.


Education

  • Juris Doctor, William & Mary Law School, 2018
  • Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science, Lee University, 2015

Practice Areas


Bar Admissions

  • Virginia State Bar
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
  • United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia

Professional Activities

  • Prince William County Bar Association
    • Treasurer, 2024 – present
    • Co-Chair of the Pro Bono Committee, 2023
  • Beat the Odds Mentor, 2024 – present

Awards

  • Order of Barristers, 2018