John S. Collins

John is a partner in the Vorys Houston office and a member of the litigation group.  His practice areas include commercial and business litigation, personal injury litigation, and insurance coverage and defense.  John also has experience defending employers against claims of discrimination, harassment and retaliation in state and federal court, and he has represented employers before various administrative agencies in Texas and New Mexico.  

Career highlights include:

Commercial Litigation

• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a global manufacturing company on breach-of-contract claims relating to a distribution agreement and prevailed in subsequent appeal to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals 
• Filed mechanics liens on construction projects in West Texas to secure seven-figure payment from a bitcoin mining company that went into bankruptcy
• Represented a businessman in a complex first-party insurance dispute and presented oral argument on multiple dispositive motions; case resulted in a seven-figure settlement for the client
• Served as a member of the trial team in a construction case arising from renovations to a regional airport that resulted in a jury verdict in favor of the client

Personal Injury

• Obtained summary judgment in a multi-party wrongful death case that successfully limited exposure and led to a favorable resolution 
• Obtained dismissal of claims of breach of contract and DTPA violations against a health care provider and prevailed on subsequent appeal to the Houston Court of Appeals
• Obtained complete dismissal of personal injury claims in a case in which the plaintiff produced a significant life care plan; case resolved favorably on appeal
• Served as lead counsel and resolved a wrongful death lawsuit asserted against a hotel franchisor and franchisee arising from a nationally reported accident involving an 18-wheeler
• Served as a member of the trial team in a traumatic brain injury case that resulted in a complete defense verdict

Employment Litigation

• Obtained affirmance by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals of summary judgment in a sex discrimination case 
• Obtaining summary judgment in favor of an emergency services organization in a whistleblower retaliation case
• Served as a member of the trial team in a workers compensation retaliation case that resulted in a complete defense verdict
• Represented employers before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Texas Workforce Commission, the Texas Department of Insurance, the New Mexico Human Rights Bureau and the New Mexico Workers Compensation Administration

Prior to joining Vorys, John received his J.D. cum laude from Baylor Law School, where he was a member of the Baylor Law Review and the Baylor Barrister Society.  He received his B.A. summa cum laude from Texas A&M University.

Honors & Recognitions

The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation, 2022-2025

Professional & Community Activities

Texas Association of Defense Counsel, Member

International Association of Defense Counsel, Member

Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow