The Shadow
Long-time Covington attorney Michael McHale Collins has been named a recipient of the General Practice Section’s Tradition of Excellence Award.
This distinction recognizes a Virginia lawyer who “…embodies the highest tradition of personal and professional excellence in Virginia, enhances the image and esteem of attorneys in the commonwealth, and has devoted significant amounts of time, efforts and/or funds to activities that benefit their community.”
Collins, 77, is senior partner with Collins & Hepler, PLC, located on Main Street in Covington.
In his nomination, Benjamin P. Thurman wrote, “Michael genuinely enjoys helping people and finds it difficult to turn away those in need, regardless of the complexity of the problem or the client’s ability to pay.”
In addition to being a founding member of Collins & Hepler, Collins has donated his time to the Covington-Hot Springs Rotary Club, the Advisory Board for the Alleghany Highlands Community Housing Improvement Program and the Board of Trustees for Dabney S. Lancaster Community College.
He has served as the pro bono legal advisor to the Covington Fire Department and Covington Rescue Squad since 1973.
He also served as county attorney for Alleghany County and Bath County for a number of years.
Collins received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and his J.D. from the College of William and Mary in 1970. His father, Hale Collins, was an attorney before him who served in both the Virginia House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate.
Upon the death of his father, Michael was recruited to practice in Covington by Bill Wilson, who had been working as his father’s associate. Collins moved his family to the Warm Springs area and started practicing in Covington.
Over the years, he has been in partnership with a number of attorneys, including Wilson, Chris Singleton, Jeff Crackel, Greg Mooney, Sean Workowski and Jeanne Hepler, and he has mentored many young lawyers who have passed through his office over the years.
“Michael is the classic example of the beloved country lawyer — he’s handled nearly every kind of case imaginable, is an outstanding litigator with a keep understanding of the law, always conducts himself with fairness, respect and humility, and has a delightful sense of humor with many amusing stories to share,” Hepler said.
Collins was a member of the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary District Committee for the 6th Congressional District, serving as chairman of the Northern Division in 1987.
He was a long-standing member of the Local Government Attorneys of Virginia.
“Michael has devoted the better part of a lifetime to serving the needs of the citizens of Alleghany County, Covington, Bath County and surrounding areas,” Hepler said. “He has served as a beloved mentor for many young attorneys throughout his long career. One would be hard-pressed to find a more fitting example of a fine, small-town southern lawyer, a man of character, professionalism, honor and service, with a good helping of self-deprecating wit and humor.”
Collins and his wife, Ellen, have two daughters, Susan and Mary-McHale, and one son, Adam, who is also a practicing attorney.
“Esteemed by his colleagues, respected by the court system and beloved by the community he has served so long, Michael has upheld the tradition of excellent general practitioners in Virginia and inspired many other attorneys to do the same.”
