Meet Judge Collins
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 remained deeply involved in the legal and local community, serving as President of both the Wake County Young Lawyers and the Wake County Academy of Criminal Trial Lawyers. He also devoted many years to coaching youth league basketball at the YMCA and was a well-known participant in lunchtime pickup games at the Hillsborough Street YMCA.
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Judge Collins has long demonstrated a commitment to public service and innovation within the justice system. He was a founding board member of Carolina Corrections, a nonprofit that provided services such as the Day Reporting Center and pre-trial programs to support the local court system. He also helped establish Wake County’s first Drug Treatment Court, serving on the court team for many years, and contributed as a board member of Southlight, Inc., a nonprofit focused on providing drug treatment services.
In 2005, Judge Collins was selected as Wake County’s first Public Defender, where he built the office from the ground up alongside a dedicated team. Under his leadership, the office ensured that indigent criminal defendants received high-quality legal representation. Even while managing the office, he maintained a demanding caseload and tried numerous high-profile cases.
In 2012, he was elected to the Superior Court bench, where he currently presides. He has earned a strong reputation among members of the Bar and his colleagues for his deep knowledge of substantive law and ruling with wisdom and fairness. He was also selected to train new Superior Court judges, teaching evidence law for several years at the New Judges School.
Judge Collins is known for treating all who come before him with respect and for performing his duties with skill, wisdom, and integrity. He lives in Raleigh with his wife, the Honorable Allegra Collins, their children, and their Yellow Lab, Elsa.
