Judge Bryan Collins is a lifelong resident of North Carolina, born in Wilkes County into a family whose roots in Northwestern North Carolina date back to the early 1800s. He attended local public schools and graduated from Wilkes Central High School in 1978. He went on to earn a B.A. in Economics, cum laude, from Davidson College in 1982, before completing his law degree at the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1985. Judge Collins began his legal career as an Associate Attorney with the Raleigh law firm of Tharrington Smith, where he trained under some of the state’s most respected attorneys. He especially treasures his close association with his mentors, legendary lawyers Wade and Roger Smith, whose lessons in professionalism and integrity left a lasting impression, which are principles he holds dear to this day. After leaving Tharrington Smith, he entered solo private practice, focusing on a wide variety of criminal and civil trial work. Over time, he advanced to handling capital murder cases, taking seven cases to trial among dozens he managed. During this period, he