Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court (Ret.)
Hon. Patricia L. Collins
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Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court (Ret.)
Hon. Patricia L. Collins
PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE
As a neutral with ADR Services, Inc. since May 2008, Judge Collins brings her experience from twenty years on the bench, including sixteen years on the Superior Court. Judge Collins presided over the Law and Motion Department in the West District, Long Cause Civil in Central Civil West and an Independent Civil Calendar in Santa Monica. She has settled scores of cases involving insurance coverage, personal injury, medical malpractice, entertainment law, partnership dissolutions, mold infestation, contract and commercial lease disputes, wrongful termination, and homeowner association disputes. She has also presided over sophisticated business disputes between national and multinational organizations, matters involving high-profile parties, as well as complex asbestos litigation. Judge Collins’ judicial career was preceded by extensive federal court trial experience with the United States Attorney’s Office, including complex bank and real estate fraud matters. Judge Collins also has litigated in private practice where she primarily handled business and insurance matters.
PROFESSIONAL HONORS
2015 Women of Achievement Award, Century City Chamber of Commerce
2011-2013 Daily Journal, “Top 50 Neutrals”
2012 Women Lawyers Of Los Angeles, Ernestine Stahlhut Award
JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE
1992 – 2008 Superior Court Judge, Los Angeles, California
Assignments in long cause civil (Central Civil West), civil independent calendar (Central Civil and West District), Law & Motion Department (West District), and felony trials and long cause/high security criminal trials (Criminal Courts Building). Appointed by Gov. Pete Wilson and re-elected. Retired May 5, 2008.
1988 – 1992 Municipal Court Judge, Los Angeles, Municipal Court
Also served as Supervising Judge of the Metropolitan Court. Assignments in criminal misdemeanor trials (Metropolitan and West Los Angeles) and felony preliminary hearings (Criminal Courts Building). Appointed by Governor Deukmejian and re-elected.
1994 (Oct.-Dec.) Judge pro tem, Court of Appeal
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
1982 – 1988 Assistant US Attorney, Central District of California, Criminal Division
• 1987 – 1988 Chief, Major Crimes Unit Supervising prosecution of violent federal offenses, including murder, rape, and arson
• 1983 – 1987 Major Frauds Unit Prosecuting primarily complex business, banking and real estate related federal criminal violations 1979 – 1982 Adams Duque & Hazeltine, Associate Civil litigation practice, primarily business, antitrust and insurance defense
1977 – 1979 Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue, Washington D.C., Law Clerk (part time)
EDUCATION
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY LAW CENTER, JD cum laude (1979)
STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF NY AT BUFFALO, BA summa cum laude (1975)
CANISIUS COLLEGE, Buffalo, NY (1972)
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Current: Los Angeles County Bar Association; Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles; California Judges Association; Association of Business Trial Lawyers;
Past: Irish American Bar Association; Bureau of National Affairs, Civil Trial Manual Advisory Board; Municipal Court Judges Association; National Women Judges Association; Southern California Business Litigation Inn of Court; American Bar Association
Admitted to practice: California; Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal; Central, Southern & Northern Districts of California
COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS
TEAM PRIME TIME: Nonprofit after school program for at-risk middle school students that provides mock trial, sports and art programs. Creator of Prime Time Trials, a mock trial program partnering with Loyola Law School.
EVERYCHILD FOUNDATION: Philanthropic organization providing annual $1million grant to fund programs to support the needs of children and young adults.