Attorneys

Patrice Collins

Patrice Collins represents clients on a broad range of litigation matters.   She has been involved in cases in numerous jurisdictions in federal courts, state courts and arbitral proceedings.

In her civil litigation practice, Patrice represents financial institutions and various business clients in professional malpractice litigation, insurance litigation, commercial disputes, business tort cases and employer liability claims. In addition, Patrice has represented clients in U.S. Bankruptcy Court as Plaintiff’s counsel to adversarial proceedings. Patrice also represents individuals in criminal matters in state court and in federal post-conviction appeals.

Patrice handles fidelity bond claims and assists clients in subrogation and recovery efforts against claim principals, outside professionals, indemnitors and other parties responsible for the losses incurred.

She also counsels business clients on contractual issues, including international sale of goods contracts.

PUBLICATIONS

Assisted in writing: Protecting Insurer’s Subrogation and Recovery Rights throughout the Claim Investigation, The Fidelity Law Journal (Vol. XX, November 2014).

Andrew Hunter

Drew Hunter’s practice focuses primarily on fidelity law and financial institution regulation and compliance. Drew handles fidelity bond claims throughout the country, including investigating complex financial losses, preparing coverage analyses and negotiating settlements.

Drew advises financial institution clients on operational compliance, vendor contracts, policy and procedure drafting, business disputes and bankruptcy matters. He provides guidance in connection with risk assessment, business transactions and member relations.

Drew also advises individuals on estate and trust matters, including the preparation, review and administration of wills and trusts.

Drew’s litigation practice consists of civil litigation matters including commercial and business disputes, professional malpractice litigation and representing creditors’ interests during bankruptcy proceedings.

PUBLICATIONS

Assisted in writing: Effecting Recovery and Subrogation in Specialized Situations, The Fidelity Law Journal (Vol. XVIII; November 2012).

Assisted in writing: Protecting Insurer’s Subrogation and Recovery Rights throughout the Claim Investigation, The Fidelity Law Journal (Vol. XX, November 2014).

Brian Collins

Brian Collins began his practice in the area of personal injury and workers’ compensation law as an associate attorney in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Since joining Collins & Collins, LLC in 2018, Brian has represented clients on a variety of matters including fidelity bond claims, insurance litigation, bankruptcy proceedings, property damage, personal injury, wrongful death and criminal defense.  Brian has also facilitated successful mergers between credit unions by ensuring that all statutory and regulatory requirements are satisfied with local, state and federal agencies.

Ray Leake

The Law Office of Raymond Leake, LLC, joined Collins & Collins, LLC as Of Counsel.

Ray Leake began his practice in the area of fidelity and surety law in 1976. From 1979 forward, Ray has practiced exclusively in the area of the investigation, preparation and submission of fidelity bond claims on behalf of the credit union industry and on behalf of the National Credit Union Administration as the liquidating agent of various credit unions. He has worked with credit unions of all asset sizes and handled a variety of different types of claims with an emphasis on fidelity claims. Ray’s experience in fidelity bond claims and fidelity insurance coverage issues allows him to advise his clients on a broad variety of issues which arise following discovery of a loss.

Prior to joining Collins & Collins, LLC, Ray was a partner of the Durango, Colorado law firm Crane, Leake, Ehlers, Bruzzese & Ehlers P.C.

Patrick J. Collins, In Memoriam 

Patrick Collins has practiced in the fields of fidelity law and complex commercial and civil litigation for over thirty-five years. Patrick has handled fidelity bond claims in nearly every state.  His experience has given him an in-depth knowledge of a myriad of fidelity related coverage issues including:

• Dishonesty and Lack of Faithful Performance Coverage
• Rescission Issues
• Embezzlement
• Computer Crime
• Negotiable Instruments
• Forgeries
• Fraudulent Deposit
• Wire Transfers
• Loss in Transit
• Mortgage Recording
• Commercial and Consumer Lending
• Discovery of Loss and Termination of Coverage
• Subrogation and Recovery.

Patrick also advises financial institutions on a range matters, including compliance, vendor contracts, institutional policies and procedures, member relations and business transactions.

In his litigation practice, Patrick represents financial institution and business clients in disputes involving lender liability, fidelity insurance coverage issues, insurance “bad faith” litigation, professional malpractice litigation, employment matters, business torts, breach of contract issues and injury claims.  Patrick has appeared pro hac vice as lead trial counsel in 27 states and he has managed local counsel and expert witnesses in multiple jurisdictions.

PUBLICATIONS

Effecting Recovery and Subrogation in Specialized Situations, The Fidelity Law Journal (Vol. XVIII; November 2012).

Protecting Insurer’s Subrogation and Recovery Rights throughout the Claim Investigation, The Fidelity Law Journal (Vol. XX, November 2014).