Collins was born in Asheville, N.C. and grew up in Kinston. He currently resides in Raleigh (and Swansboro whenever he can) and has practiced law in N.C. for 33 years. He is a graduate of Wake Forest University (B.A. ’83, J.D.  ’88) and is married to Laurie Lomax. Collins and Laurie have 3 sons: Lins (25), Smith (23) and John-Henry (20).

As a partner in a Workers’ Compensation Practice Group for over 27 years, Collins handled matters at all levels of workers’ compensation litigation. These included numerous mediations and hearings at the Deputy Commission and Full Commission level, North Carolina Court of Appeals, and the North Carolina Supreme Court. In addition, Collins has experience in handling traumatic injury by accident claims, occupational disease, asbestosis, chemical exposure, mold exposure and psychological claims, and permanent total type issues such as attendant care and adaptive measures. He is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court

In June of 2015 Collins started a solo mediation practice in civil litigation - Barwick Mediation. As a full-time mediator he has conducted over 1000 mediations both in workers compensation and general civil litigation and maintains a high settlement rate at mediation. He is a Board Certified Specialist (N.C. Board of Legal Specialization) in Workers Compensation (2000) and a Certified Superior Court Mediator and is a member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals. He maintains an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Collins has spoken regularly at continuing legal education seminars and has previously been invited as a guest to the N.C.I.C.’s Educational Seminar as well as the Workers’ Compensation section annual meeting.

• Wake Forest University, (B.A., 1983; J.D., 1987)
• Phi Delta Phi
• Special Assistant to U.S. Senator John East, 1984-85, Washington, D.C.

• North Carolina Bar Association (Workers' Compensation Section), Member
• Wake County Bar Association, Former Board Member
• Hayes Barton United Methodist Church, former Board Member
• The Raleigh School, former Board Member

$235.00 per hour for mediation plus $200 per hour travel time.