John A. Collins, III, is a Director who concentrates in the areas of Personal Injury Law and Civil Litigation. Attorney Collins has successfully obtained verdicts or public settlements on behalf of clients ranging from a $10 Million settlement for a young girl badly burned in a school fire to a $1 million judgment for a victim of sexual abuse. Disclaimer: Of course, past results are no indication as to the value or results likely to be obtained in any present and future claims.
Attorney Collins served as the Managing Partner of Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law for over 20 years. He is a member of the Connecticut Bar. Mr. Collins received his B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross (1978) and his J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law (1981) where he was a member and Notes Editor of the Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law. Attorney Collins is a member of the American, Connecticut and New London County Bar Associations, the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. He has served as a Judge of the Mohegan Tribal Court and the Mohegan Gaming Disputes Court since 2018.
Attorney John A. Collins, III has tried and/or settled numerous claims for personal injuries over a 35 year law practice to assist injured victims. Ethical rules prohibit disclosure of confidential settlements and Attorney Collins strongly believes that the individual client’s confidentiality is vital to a strong attorney-client relationship. Accordingly, the following
public results offer a glimpse of the wide variety of personal injury matters accepted by Mr. Collins:
- Crespo v. Wood, KNL-CV-07-5003413S Verdict, interest & Costs: $379,290, (2008) —rear end automobile collision;
- Martic v. Tunstall, CV 05 4001869S, Verdict: $129,070, (2005) —civil assault;
- Hayes v. Johnson, CV-01-0560480S, Verdict: $259,173, (2003) —auto accident involving drunk driver defendant;
- Shelby v. Munro Muffler, CV-97-0543736S, Verdict: $475,000, (2000) —injury involving defective garage automobile lift;
- Dumont v. UBC, CV-97-0542600S, Verdict of $300,000 reduced by comparative negligence to $150,000 (2000) —injury from defective roof trusses;
- Parsons v. Town of Salem, (2000) — injuries from defective highway;
- John Doe1 v. David Zaharie, CV-99-0552498S, Judgment: $1 million (1999) —injuries from sexual abuse of a minor;
- Mattos v. Morris, CV-970544744S, Verdict: $71,657 (1999) —soft tissue automobile accident injuries;
- Russ v. Allstate Insurance, CV-96-0539136, CV-95-0536638, Verdict: $203,498 (1997) —soft tissue injuries from 2 separate minor motor vehicle accidents,
Disclaimer: Of course, past results are no indication as to the value or results likely to be obtained in any present and future claims.
John A. Collins, III has been recognized by his peers by inclusion in Connecticut and New England Super Lawyers 2006-2007, 2009-2025 in the field of Personal Injury, Best Lawyers in America 2012-2027 in the field of Personal Injury-Plaintiff and has the highest rating (AV) from Martindale Hubbell. Visit Superlawyers.com. “In selecting attorneys for Super Lawyers, Law & Politics employs a rigorous, multiphase process. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with third party research. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis. The final published list represents no more than 5 percent of the lawyers in the state.”
The Connecticut Bar Foundation honored Attorney John A. Collins, III in 2005 with its selection of Attorney Collins as a Life Fellow. “Selection as a Fellow requires demonstrated superior legal ability and devotion to the welfare of the community, state and nation, as well as to the advancement of the legal foundation”. Source: Connecticut Bar Foundation. The Connecticut Law Tribune honored Attorney Collins with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.
Mr. Collins resides with his family in and is a long time resident of Old Lyme, Connecticut. Attorney John A. Collins, III coached Little League for 12 years, and has a strong belief in giving back to the community. Mr. Collins serves or has served on the:
- Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association Budget Committee (2009, 2010);
- Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library (Board of Directors 2005-present: President: 2008-2010);
- Old Lyme Ethics Formation Committee (Acting Chair, 2006-2008);
- New London Main Street (Board of Directors 1999-2005: President, 2004, 2005);
- Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau (Board of Directors 1994-2000: Chairman, 1999, 2000);
- Old Lyme Day Care, Inc. (Board of Directors 1987-1997)
