PRO
also known as Rick Collins, Richard D. Collins
Rick Collins is a Founding Partner at Collins Gann McCloskey & Barry PLLC and a well-known figure in the bodybuilding, health, fitness and nutrition communities. A former Nassau County Assistant District Attorney, he has been awarded the highest accolades for legal abilities and ethical standards (AV-rating) from the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell directory of lawyers, and is listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers.
An internationally recognized legal authority on the non-medical use/abuse of anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing substances, Mr. Collins has been involved in the legal defense of countless criminal cases involving the possession or sale of these compounds. He has personally defended individuals in a variety of jurisdictions from New York to California and at the borders of Canada and Mexico. His high-profile cases have included professional bodybuilders and the chemist in the BALCO case, and he has handled athletic doping cases involving the NCAA and professional sports. He has been consulted by amateur and professional bodybuilders, wrestlers, physicians, pharmacists, military servicemen, police departments, and various business entities and is frequently retained to assist and consult with other criminal lawyers on the subject.
In addition to his leadership role in the area of steroids and the law, Mr. Collins has built an active national law practice catering to clients in the bodybuilding, fitness and dietary supplement communities. He spearheads the firm’s bi-coastal dietary supplements division to provide legal counsel to the supplement industry, and serves as the official legal advisor to the International Federation of Bodybuilding and as General Counsel to the International Society of Sports Nutrition.
Over the past few years Mr. Collins has become a legal trailblazer as the co-chairman of a proposal to conditionally seal certain low-level criminal records in New York. As a result of the efforts of his committee and many others, the State laws were changed in 2017 to allow judges the discretion to seal the criminal records of certain non-violent ex-offenders. In addition, he was appointed to serve on a New York State Bar Association Special Committee created to address the issue of prisoner re-entry, to examine problems that formerly incarcerated individuals face upon release from prison or jail and the kind of services needed to help them lead productive lives. He also serves as Co-Chair of the American Bar Association Criminal Justce Section Committee on Reentry and Collateral Consequences.
Mr. Collins, who has been recognized by Long Island Business News as one of Long Island’s “50 Around 50” and was selected as a recipient of the 2013 “Leadership in Law” award, has been interviewed as a legal authority in the film “Bigger, Stronger, Faster” (2008) and on national television talk and news shows, in talk radio interviews and by numerous online and print publications. The author of two popular books, he has contributed chapters to two texts on sports nutrition and co-authored a textbook chapter on adolescent use of performance-enhancing drugs. He frequently writes for various fitness and bodybuilding publications on issues where health and fitness overlap with law and policy, and has been a monthly columnist for the nationally circulated Muscular Development magazine and a member of their Advisory Board since 2001. He is also a blogger for the Huffington Post Crime section where he writes on a number of issues surrounding criminal law.
Mr. Collins currently serves as President-Elect of the Nassau County Bar Association. An active member of the Nassau County Bar Association for more than 25 years who was honored with the NCBA’s 2001 President’s Award, he also is a member of the Advisory Board of the We Care Fund, part of the charitable arm of the Nassau County Bar Association which helps raise funds to improve the quality of life for children, the elderly and others in need throughout Nassau County. In addition to his role at NCBA, Mr. Collins is active in a number of other professional organizations and philanthropic groups, including the United Mavericks. He is a past president of the Criminal Courts Bar Association of Nassau County and the Former Assistant District Attorneys of Nassau County, as well as an officer or member of numerous other state and national professional organizations including the New York State Bar Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the New York State Defenders Association. He is an annual faculty member for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy and is on the Adjunct Faculty of Hofstra University Law School.
Mr. Collins was elected to Phi Beta Kappa as an undergraduate at Hofstra University. After attending Hofstra law school on a full academic scholarship and serving on the Law Review, he was admitted to the New York Bar and served as an assistant district attorney for five years. Mr. Collins is a past Editor-in-Chief of the Nassau Lawyer, the journal of the Nassau County Bar. He has also worked as a stage and film actor, and is a member in good standing of the Screen Actors Guild.
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Practice Areas
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State: Texas
Acquired: 2005
No misconduct found
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 2005
No misconduct found
State: Massachusetts
Acquired: 2004
No misconduct found
State: Pennsylvania
Acquired: 2004
No misconduct found
State: South Carolina
Acquired: 2001
No misconduct found
State: New York
Acquired: 1985
No misconduct found
Fax
138 Mineola Blvd., Mineola, NY, 11501
cgmbesq.com/
Other places you can find Richard online.
Showing 1 - 5 of 36 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Gary | September 12, 2023 | Hired Attorney
I had the privilege of working with Rick Collins, a federal defense lawyer specializing in DEA, FDA and supplements cases, and I cannot emphasize enough how impressed I was with his expertise, dedication and results. Facing federal charges related to performance-enhancing compounds is a daunting e...
It was my honor and privilege to help you. I think my only superpower is applying my particular set of skills to each case with all my might. Thank you for your trust in me.
Posted by VSM | April 16, 2023 | Hired Attorney
"Rick Collins was amazing both as my attorney and counselor in every sense of the word. He not only brought my case to the best resolution possible, but he was a pillar of support and calm throughout. He was responsive, attentive, patient, extremely knowledgeable and the only person you want in your ...
It was a long journey but the result was all that we hoped for. Thank you for your wonderful recommendation.
Posted by Maurice | July 27, 2022 | Hired Attorney
I had initially hired someone different then collins and just wasn’t happy with the attentiveness. I fired them and hired collins. Right away he began working hard and doing everything he could to make sure I got the best outcome. The outcome he got for me was the best possible given my situation. Th...
Thank you so much for this. I try to give every client the attention I’d want for a member of my own family.
Posted by anonymous | June 22, 2022 | Hired Attorney
Quick response. Collin is amazing. Job done very efficiently. I am very happy for services they provided. It was done in timely manners.
Much appreciated! I always focus on efficiency and good client communications!
Posted by JM | January 29, 2022 | Hired Attorney
Professional team. Rick was fast on responding to calls and emails, and always available, didn't matter day or night. He was a tremendous advocate in court and went above and beyond for my case. I hope to never have to use him again however! There were many lawyers I interviewed and know I chose ...
I am quite certain you will never need my criminal defense services. But I should mention that my firm also has a thriving personal injury practice, recovering compensation for victims of negligence. We appreciate referrals from all our past clients!
"If you are looking for a brilliant legal mind, skilled litigator and most strategic attorney you will ever find, look no further. When you are faced with legal troubles, you want Rick on your side as there is no one more diligent, creative, caring, confident and talented. I would give him 20 stars if allowed."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Rick is one of the most highly skilled lawyers I've come across. I have no hesitation sending Rick my criminal clients. I know there's no case too big or challenging or complicated that Rick can't handle and figure out. I endorse this lawyer."
"From the moment I first met Rick in law school in 1981, I thought he should be an actor. Whenever Rick tells a story, or argues a point, he does so with such passion and intensity that he could convince even the most stubborn juror that the blue sky was red. Fortunately for Arnold S. (since there might have been a different Terminator had Rick gone to Hollywood) and those who have needed, and will need, a dedicated, highly skilled criminal attorney, Rick decided to pursue a career in law and perform his theatrics in the courtroom instead of on Broadway. Rick has a superior knowledge of the law (particularly in the area of anabolic steroids and other sports related performance enhancing substances) and he is well respected both nationally and at the local level in New York. Without hesitation and with the utmost confidence, all of my criminal referrals go to Collins Gann McCloskey & Barry (formerly Collins McDonald & Gann)."
"Rick Collins is a well known and well respected attorney who is a national resource on legal issues regarding health supplements and steroids. Over the past several years, I have learned a lot from Rick, and I highly recommend him as an attorney, expert witness, trial litigator, and honest, diligent advocate for his clients."
"When it comes to legal counsel and advocacy in the nutritional supplement and performance-enhancing drug arena, Rick Collins is literally second to none. Rick's reputation in the legal industry speaks for itself, as do the results he consistently delivers for his clients in courthouses throughout the country. I highly endorse Rick and his firm."
"Rick is the expert in steroid cases and doping cases. He is an experienced and aggressive trial lawyer who is fully familiar with how to achieve top results for his clients. He does all types of criminal defense cases well."
"If you have a federal matter involving steroids or the FDA, there is NO defense attorney in the country that can match the experience, knowledge, and expertise of Rick Collins. He is the best of the best."
"I endorse this lawyer. Rick and I have been law partners for 25 years after working together as prosecutors. He may be the finest and most competent lawyer I know. He leaves no stone unturned and constantly thinks outside the box in representing his varied clients!"
"I worked with Rick on a case involving a boxer who had tested positive for a banned substance after a fight in Germany. Through Rick's help and guidance we were able to get the B-sample tested in the US and prevent the boxer from losing his top ranking. Rick is one of the very best attorneys on the subjects of drug testing, dietary supplement and doping cases. I highly recommend him."
"Rick is the nations most experienced and talented steroid defense attorney by far. Rick has represented clients accused of steroid related charges all over the nation and his results speak for themselves. Rick is honest, hardworking, and a skilled litigator. I highly recommend Rick."
"Rick Collins is an outstanding and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney who passionately defends his clients. I have had the pleasure of co-counseling several matters with Rick. He has always proved to be an invaluable resource who provides invaluable experience and tremendous knowledge, particularly in the healthcare fraud / drug trafficking arena. I unreservedly recommend him to individuals and/or companies seeking representation, and to attorneys seeking co-counsel on any criminal defense matters."
"Rick is as good as it gets. Period. I had the extreme pleasure of working along side Rick on a steroid litigation case in Arizona. Rick's preparation, dedication and legal execution skills are impressive. I hold him the highest regard."
"Rick's knowledge in steroid and peptide cases has been second to none. He was a tremendous asset to our case."
"Great attorney who works hard to get the best results for clients. I endorse this lawyer."
"Great person and very personable. Nationally recognized expert in the area of steroid laws and a great criminal defense attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I have sent to Richard’s law firm several people that were in need of criminal defense assistance."
"Rick Collins is a nationwide known authority on criminal law. He is an extremely nice person and easy to work with.Rick will do anything to help out a fellow attorney with less experience than he has."
"I endorse this lawyer. Richard Collins is nationally recognized as an expert on steroids and wrongful prosecutions based upon allegations of steroids. Needless to say "Not Guilty"."
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2015
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2013
Leadership in Law, Long Island Business News
2012
Outstanding Faculty Award, E. David Woycik, Jr., Intensive Trial Techniques Program (NITA)
2011
50 Around Fifty Award, Long Island Business News
2003
In the Trenches Award, New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
2002
Honorable Edward J. Hart, Jr., Memorial Award, Fraternal Order of Court Officers, Nassau County
2001
President's Award, Nassau County Bar Association
N/A
Client Champion Award, Martindale-Hubbell
N/A
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
1990 - Present
Founding Partner, Collins Gann McCloskey and Barry PLLC
1900 - Present
Partner, COLLINS GANN McCLOSKEY & BARRY PLLC
1984 - 1989
Assistant District Attorney, Nassau County District Attorney's Office
2009 - Present
New York State Bar Association, Criminal Justice SectionExecutive Committee
2007 - Present
Federal Bar CouncilMember
2001 - Present
New York State Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
1994 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
1990 - Present
New York State Bar AssociationMember
1990 - Present
Criminal Courts Bar Association of Nassau CountyMember
2019 - 2020
Nassau County Bar AssociationPresident
2005 - 2006
Former Assistant District Attorneys of Nassau CountyPresident
2001 - 2002
Criminal Courts Bar Association of Nassau CountyPresident
Probation with home confinement, no electronic monitoring.
1984
JD - Juris Doctor
1981
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2014
The Dirty Dozen Rules of Opening Statements in a Criminal Case
2013
Your Kids on Steroids
2013
Steroids, Performance and the Law
2013
2008
English