Deborah Yeng Collins
Attorney
Deb Collins focuses her practice in the area of employment law and civil litigation, representing both employers and employees. She is an experienced litigator in state and federal courts. She has been recognized as a "Top Lawyer" of Coastal Virginia, a "Legal Elite", and is rated by Super Lawyers.
Deb Collins began her legal career as an Assistant Commonwealth Attorney with the Norfolk Commonwealth Attorney’s Office for a number of years before joining a boutique employment law firm, as an associate then as a partner. Her current practice focuses on employment law and business disputes.
Deb represents both employees and employers across the entire spectrum of employment issues, including providing day-to-day advice, negotiating contract issues, drafting policies and handbooks, conducting internal investigations, and representing clients in grievances, mediations, arbitrations, administrative proceedings, and litigation.
She also assists corporate clients with business formation and has represented corporations and professionals in pursuing and defending claims in various business disputes.
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She routinely defends school boards, government entities, and their employees in employment matters and civil litigation.
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Deb is a first generation American whose family, through many years of hard work, lived the American dream of entrepreneurship. In her practice, she has honed her litigation skills over hundreds of trials and has many years experience representing both employers and employees in employment and business disputes.
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Her background and experience leave her uniquely positioned to understand both the injustices an employee can suffer and the struggles specific to the business owner. This perspective provides her with the tools to efficiently resolve problems and effectively craft solutions to each individual legal situation.
Honors
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Recognized as a “Legal Elite” for Labor/Employment Law by Virginia Business Magazine, 2021-2023
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Recognized by Super Lawyers, 2021-2024
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Recognized as a "Top Lawyer" by Richmond Magazine, 2022
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Recognized as a “Top Lawyer” of Coastal Virginia in Labor and Employment Law by Coastal Virginia Magazine, 2021, 2024
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Recognized by Virginia Lawyers Weekly, 2019
Education
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Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary, J.D.
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Virginia Commonwealth University, B.S. (Human Resource Management)
Memberships
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I’Anson-Hoffman American Inn of Court
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Virginia Bar Association
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Norfolk & Portsmouth Bar Association, Executive Committee
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Federal Bar Association, Hampton Roads Chapter
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Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Virginia, Board of Directors
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Work/Life Balance Group for Virginia Lawyers, Founder
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YWCA-SHR, Human Resources Committee, Former Board of Directors Member and Chair of the Human Resources Committee
Bar Admissions
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Supreme Court of Virginia
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U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
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U.S. District Court, Western District of Virginia
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U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
Presentations & Publications
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Virginia Bankers Association Human Resources Legal Panel, March 12, 2024; March 14, 2023
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William & Mary School of Law Career Panel, April 6, 2023
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"The Legal Buzz", CoVaBiz Magazine, January 1, 2023
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The New Employment Law Frontier for Wage Claims in Virginia for the Norfolk & Portsmouth Bar Association Continuing Legal Education, October 4, 2021
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"Know the Law BEFORE You Light Up!" as heard on Another View Radio Show on WHRO and NPR, July 1, 2021
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“Sexual Harassment in the #metoo Era” for the Norfolk Portsmouth Bar Association Continuing Legal Education, October 4, 2018
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“Conducting an Effective Internal Investigation” for the National Business Institute’s “Advanced Employment Law” Seminar, October 2, 2017
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“Hiring and Recruiting” for the National Business Institute’s “Human Resource Law: What You Need to Know Now” Seminar, June 7, 2017