David M. Collins Of Counsel

Phone: (843) 720-4618  |  Fax: (843) 723-7398  |  Email: dcollins@buistmoore.com

Practice Areas
Admiralty and Maritime
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Product Liability

David Collins has litigated a wide variety of cases in the state and federal courts of South Carolina. On the state side, he has handled matters in Allendale, Anderson, Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Greenville, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland, Spartanburg and York counties, including jury trials to conclusion in challenging venues such as Horry and Allendale. In federal court, he has experience before Judges Joe Anderson, Blatt, Curry, Duffy, Hawkins, Houck, Herlong, Norton, Seymor, Shedd, Traxler and Wooten. Mr. Collins’ practice is concentrated in the maritime and products liability fields. Involved in the firm's Protection & Indemnity group at the outset of his career, he has represented recreational boating concerns, including major manufacturers of boats, personal watercraft, engines and accessories, as well as marinas, boat yards, yacht management companies and operators.

Representative Matters:

•	Defense verdict for marine engine manufacturer in claim involving serious facial disfigurement due a propeller strike
•	Defense verdict in wrongful death products liability case for Belgian manufacturer
•	Obtained a defense judgment and award of attorney's fees relating to a business tort claim in India with alleged damages in excess of $10,000,000

Educational Background:

•	Tulane Law School, 1986 - LL.M (Admiralty), With Distinction
	Maritime Law Fellowship Received the highest grade in Marine Insurance
•	Tulane Law School, 1985 - J.D., Summa Cum Laude
	Tulane Honor Scholarship Cuthbert S. Baldwin, Ray Forrester, Robert G. Polack and Ralph J. Schwarz Awards Order of the Coif Associate Editor, Tulane Law Review, 1984-1985 Tulane Law Review, 1983 1st Place - Maritime Law Writing Competition
•	College of Charleston, 1982 - B.A., Political Science, Magna Cum Laude
	Palmetto State Fellowship Outstanding Senior President, Omicron Delta Kappa Pi Sigma Alpha Harper B. Keller Award Phi Kappa Phi Robert E. Lee Scholarship

Publications, Papers, Programs and Seminars:

•	"The Current Status of Miles v. Apex Marine Corporation," presentation at Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute Annual Seminar, 1995
•	"Recent Developments in the Fourth and Other Circuits," presentation at Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute Annual Seminar, 1990
•	"The Tanker's Right of Harmless Discharge," 18 J. Mar.L. & Comm. 275 (1987)
•	"Comments on the American Theory of In Rem Liability," 9 Mar. Law. 71 (1985)
•	"International Uniformity and the Carriage of Goods by Sea," 50 Tul.L.Rev. 165 (1985)
•	"Admiralty-Beverly v. Action Marine, Inc.: Twilight or Total Eclipse?," 58 tul.L.Rev. 1237 (1984)

Professional Organizations:

•	American Boat & Yacht Council, Member, 1991-Present
•	Defense Research Institute, Admiralty Committee, Recreational Boating Subcommittee, 1996-Present
•	Maritime Law Association of the United States • Member, 1986-Present • Carriage of Goods Committee • Electronic Communication and Documentation Committee, 1996-Present • Recreational Boating Committee, 1991-Present •Proctor in Admiralty, 1991-Present • Intermodal Subcommittee, 1988-1991
•	University of South Carolina School of Law, Adjunct Faculty Member, Spring 1996
•	South Carolina Bar, ADR Section Member, 1994-Present
•	Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute • Member, 1987-Present • Chairman, 2002 • Vice Chairman, 2001 • Secretary, 2000 • Treasurer, 1999 • Chairman, Long Range Planning Committee, 1994-1997 • Editor-in-Chief, Newsletter, 1993-1994 • Long Range Planning Committee, 1991-Present • Port Director, 1989-1991
•	Intermodal Transportation Program, College of Charleston, 1987-Present
•	International Trade Certificate Program, Trident Technical College, Spring 1995

Bar Admissions:

•	Approved Mediator, United States District Court for the District of South Carolina
•	Certified Circuit Court Mediator, 1993
•	Louisiana, 1985
•	South Carolina, 1986
•	United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, 1988

Community Organizations:

•	Hungryneck International Soccer Association, Coach
•	Isle of Palms Recreation Department Coach
•	Kappa Alpha Order Alumni, Charleston Chapter
•	Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church
•	Propeller Club of the United States, Port of Charleston
•	Sons of Confederate Veterans, Fort Sumter Camp