William T. Collins, III

Associate

phone (516) 802-0630

fax (516) 800-0631

email wcollins@simmonsjannace.com

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William Collins is an associate at Simmons Jannace, LLP. His practice focuses on civil litigation and appeals, including defense work in medical malpractice, personal injury and general liability cases. William has experience in admiralty/maritime law, criminal defense and plaintiffs’ personal injury cases.

William is a graduate of Hofstra University School of Law (J.D. 1999) and the State University of New York at Stony Brook (B.A. 1996). He is a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain, a former Bay Constable with the Town of Huntington, New York and formerly operated a fishing and cruise charter boat business. Additionally, William’s work history includes operation of heavy construction equipment. His prior work history in law enforcement, construction and as a charter boat captain facilitates his ability to handle litigation in these fields.

William’s reported cases include Plis v. North Bay Cadillac, 5 A.D.3d 578, 773 N.Y.S.2d 451, 2004 N.Y. Slip Op. 01757, N.Y.A.D. 2d Dept., 2004, in which New York's Second Department ruled that an open and obvious condition that is not otherwise inherently dangerous absolves the defendant of its duty to warn. This case is one of the early cases successfully argued after the Second Department ruled that the “open and obvious” defense is no longer a complete defense to liability. Additionally, William successfully argued Pollack v. Staples, 293 A.D.2d 322, 739 N.Y.S.2d 820 (1st Dep't 2002) in which the First Department ruled that denial of a motion to vacate a default judgment was proper where the plaintiff failed to demonstrate a meritorious claim, notwithstanding the inclusion of a verified complaint in support of motion.

While not tending to clients’ needs, William and his family enjoy saltwater fishing and boating, camping and nature walks. He particularly enjoys time with his children. He is an avid fisherman and likes to venture afar for his fare including Montauk, Cape Cod, Florida, Cabo San Lucas and Bermuda.

Areas Of Practice

Medical Malpractice Defense

General Liability Litigation

Appellate Advocacy

Bar Admissions

New York, 2000

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, 2001

U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, 2001

Education

Hofstra University School of Law

Juris Doctor, 1999

State University of New York, 1996

B.A. Political Science

Honors: Dean’s List

Representative Cases:

Plis v. North Bay Cadillac, 5 A.D.3d 578, 773 N.Y.S.2d 451 (2d Dept 2004)

Pollack v. Staples, 293 A.D.2d 322, 739 N.Y.S.2d 820, 2002 N.Y. Slip Op. 02866 (1st Dep't 2002)

Memberships:

New York State Bar Association

Nassau County Bar Association