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Parrish Collins
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Parrish Collins
Collins & Collins, P.C.
400 Gold Ave. SW
Suite 500
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone: (505) 242-5958 | Fax: (505) 242-5968
http://www.CollinsAttorneys.com
http://www.albuquerquecriminallawyerblog.com/
It's Important to You so It's Important to Us!
Legal Topic
Personal Injury
Preferred New Clients
Collins & Collins, P.C. handles a personal injury matters throughout the State of New Mexico in both State and Federal Courts. Collins & Collins, P.C. handles a variety personal injury and negligence actions including auto accidents, trucking accidents, slip & fall, defective products, assault and battery, dog bites and animal attacks, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, and wrongful death.
Sub-Categories
Personal Injury
- Dangerous Property
- Wrongful Death
- Personal Injury - Defense
- Personal Injury Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Construction Site Injuries
- Slip & Fall
- Sports Injuries
- Petrochemical Accidents
- Whiplash
- Felony Auto Accident
- Design Defects
- Manufacturing Defects
- False Charities
- Frauds, Scams, Hoaxes
- Identity Theft
- Pyramid Schemes
- Telemarketing
- Assault & Battery
- Child abuse
- Dog Bites & Animal Attacks
- Domestic Violence
- Police Misconduct
- Sexual Assault
- Airplanes
- Buildings
- Mass Transit - Bus, Train, Subway
- Ships & Boats
- Financial Malpractice
- Legal Malpractice
- Religious Malpractice
- Anesthesia Malpractice
- Birth Injuries and Defects
- Cosmetic Surgery
- Dental Malpractice
- Elder and Nursing Home Abuse
- Emergency Room Errors
- HMO Managed Case
- Lasik Eye Surgery
- Medication Malpractice
- Optometry Malpractice
- Prescription/Drug Malpractice
- Psychiatric Malpractice
- Surgical Errors
- Wrong Diagnosis or Misdiagnosis
- Nursing Home Negligence
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Asbestos Mesothelioma
- Chemicals & Cosmetics
- Dangerous Drugs & Products
- Hazardous Waste
- Medical Products & Devices
- Pesticides
- Radiation & Electromagnetic Energy
- Tobacco
- Toxic Mold
- Amputation
- Birth Injury
- Burn Injury
- Head/Brain Injury
- Paralysis
Bar Admissions
NM,
Bar Number: 6736
Other Court Admissions
New Mexico, Texas, and U.S. District Court (District of New Mexico).
Association Memberships
New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, New Mexico Trials Lawyers Association, Criminal Law Section of the State Bar of New Mexico, Trial Practice Section of the State Bar of New Mexico, Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee of the State Bar of New Mexico, and Co-Chair Conflict Literacy Education in the Schools Sub-Committee of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee of the State Bar of New Mexico.
Continuing Education
I attend continuing legal education seminars. Most of these are related to Criminal Defense and Litigation. However, I have taken courses on Negotiation, which I really enjoy. I have also taught a couple of continuing education seminars on the Immigration Consequences of Criminal Convictions.
Example Cases
We have had numerous great outcomes with our clients at Collins & Collins, P.C. Some of the more remarkable outcomes that included results that were most remarkable were not for the size of the settlement, but the challenge faced at the beginning of the cases.
These included a number of slip and fall accidents and a major retailer who had what apparently was a policy to offer only $100 on every claim, no matter how serious the injuries. Undaunted by this outrageous and callous position, Collins & Collins, P.C. took these claims not because of the big payoff at the end, but because of the outrageous and callous position of the retailer at the beginning. We were able to obtain sizable settlements in light of the injuries, where many attorneys had turned these cases down due to the difficulty of the defendant. These cases were rewarding because we made a difference in our clients' lives when they were facing a very formidable defendant. We still take cases against the same retailer and others like them. Unfortunately, they still take these unreasonable positions, and despite the obvious injuries and liability for the injuries of their loyal customers, continue to present only small initial offers of settlement of these claims.
Collins & Collins, P.C. also had the opportunity to help a client who had suffered a serious brain injury and spinal cord damage through an intentional battery. He was a paraplegic with severe brain damage requiring around the clock in-home care. His family would check in on him regularly throughout each day. On one such occasion, as his sister was checking in on him, she discovered the nurse having sex with her brother. Naturally, the family was very upset by the breach of trust. Collins & Collins, P.C. initiated an action against the home healthcare provider for the deliberate acts of their employee which amounted to rape under the laws of New Mexico due to the lack of consent on the part of our client. We were able to obtain a substantial settlement in this case despite the defense's arguments that the sex was consensual.
Education
Degree:
M.A.
School:
Duke University
City:
Durham
State:
NC
Year:
1989
Degree:
B.B.A.
School:
University of Texas
City:
Austin
State:
TX
Year:
1985
Honors:
Graduated with honors.
Focus and Accomplishments:
Accounting.
Degree:
J.D.
School:
Duke University School of Law
City:
Durham
State:
NC
Year:
1989
Honors:
Graduated with honors.
Number of Attorneys
3
State Licensed In
New Mexico and Texas
Firm Focus and History
Collins & Collins, P.C. represents clients in the areas of personal injury, criminal defense, and divorce and family law. Parrish Collins focuses his practice on criminal defense and personal injury and Alysan Boothe Collins focuses almost exclusively on personal injury. Sarah Armstrong focuses on family law and divorce.
Collins & Collins, P.C. was established in 2001 as Parrish Collins, Attorney at Law. In 2003, Alysan Boothe Collins joined Collins & Collins, P.C. after practicing in insurance defense for 10 years. Sarah Armstrong has been working with Collins & Collins, P.C. as Of-Counsel since 2007.
Previous Employment Summary
I have had my own law practice since 2001. The firm began as Parrish Collins, Attorney at Law. In 2003, my wife joined me as a partner and the firm became and remains Collins & Collins, P.C.. Prior to this time, I worked with New Mexico Public Defenders Office. Before that, I worked with a general practice law firm in Albuquerque. I began my career out of law school as an oil and gas attorney with Exxon in Houston, Texas. Throughout this, I owned a nightclub, promoted concerts, and taught college at the University of New Mexico.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
We at Collins & Collins, P.C. believe it is critical that clients educate themselves on their legal matters. We maintain open lines of communication with our clients so that they may contact us anytime with questions on their cases. We provide our clients with copies of everything coming in or leaving our office that relates to their case so they also know the status of their case. In addition, should our clients wish to learn more about the area of the law on their own, we gladly direct them to other sources of information such as Nolo, Justia, the Cornell Legal Information Institute, the State Bar of New Mexico, the State of New Mexico District Court Website, and others. This empowers our clients to learn as much about their cases as they desire. A knowledgeable client is good for at Collins & Collins, P.C. and more importantly, it is good for our clients.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
Collins & Collins, P.C. does not generally review documents prepared by clients. This issue would rarely arise in the area of personal injury or criminal defense. In limited circumstances, Collins & Collins, P.C. will review documents prepared by clients in family law and divorce matters.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
Collins & Collins, P.C. will not coach clients on how to represent themselves in legal matters. The law is far too complicated, and requires years of training and experience to competently pursue any legal matters. The consequences of missteps can be very serious. Having said that, should clients decide to proceed on their own, there are a number of very helpful sites where they can educate themselves on their legal matters including Nolo, Justia, the Cornell Legal Information Institute, the State Bar of New Mexico, and the State of New Mexico District Court Website.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I decided to become a lawyer early in 7th grade. I then changed my career goals countless times before actually going to law school. When I entered law school, I planned to be a corporate lawyer. However, upon entering Corporate America, I learned very quickly that that was not for me. After leaving the law completely to open and night club, I found my way to the Public Defender's Office. I learned that this was what I wanted to do. I enjoyed helping the underdog. I still like helping the underdog both in criminal defense and in personal injury. Very little gets me more excited and perhaps a little angry than seeing someone abused by the system or the corporate bully. This happens far too often in criminal defense, and even more often when dealing with insurance companies. Helping people face these lopsided odds is extremely rewarding. I look forward to each work day. I know very few people that can say this and even when I owned a night club, I could not say it then.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I have had wide range of experience that helps me in my law practice. I have worked on farms and in construction. I have worked as a grocery bagger and a UPS dock worker. I have taught college courses. I have run a nightclub and promoted concerts. I have coached youth football for years. I have worked with troubled kids and families. I have seen the hardships of a criminal case or an accident affect not only the client, but the family. I recognize and respect that even the smallest case is not small for the client. I do my best to make sure that my clients know that they are not alone in their struggles, and that there is at least one person that is committed and loyal to them, and them alone.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I have practiced in a number of areas of the law since graduating law school in 1989 and gravitated toward personal injury law. In a personal injury case, there is often an insurance giant on the other side. Insurance companies are not prone to generosity. They typically do not like parting with their money unless they have to. It is gratifying to insure that our clients are treated fairly and fully compensated for their injuries.
What do you like best about your career?
I enjoy working with my wife and partner at Collins & Collins, P.C. We have the freedom to choose our cases without the billing pressures of a employment with a law firm. More than that, we get to choose our clients, and our clients truly do choose us. We get to help those most in their hour of need. This is extremely rewarding, and I was not able to achieve this working for a firm or corporation.
Tell us about your law firm:
My legal secretary has 28 years of experience and is great. There are many times where she seems to know more than me. She is great with clients and always seems to be happy. She is a pleasure to work with and my clients appreciate not only her experience, but her thoughtfulness and genuine concern for their cases as well.
What are your strengths and style?
My legal secretary has 28 years of experience and is great. There are many times where she seems to know more than me. She is great with clients and always seems to be happy. She is a pleasure to work with and my clients appreciate not only her experience, but her thoughtfulness and genuine concern for their cases as well.
Personal Interests:
Tennis, swimming, jogging, rock climbing, reading, coaching youth football, and most of all, hanging out with my wife and kids.
Office Manager/Assistant
Kelly Vincioni
Fax
(505) 242-5968
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
No
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Collins & Collins, P.C. takes personal injury and negligence actions strictly on a contingency fee basis. There are no fees on the front end of the case. In addition, if there is no recovery to the client, then there are no attorney fees to the client.
Hourly Rates
Not applicable.
Free Initial Consultation?
We offer free initial consultations for the purposes of determining the rights and obligations of the client and their particular circumstances. The length of the consultation varies according to the circumstances, but generally takes no more than 20 minutes unless the case is particularly complex.
Typical Retainer
There is no retainer in contingency fee cases. On occasion, in particularly complex cases involving questionable liability (cause of damages) and damages (injuries), we may require clients to pay for an expert evaluation.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
