Meet Daniel E. Collins
Daniel has always been a fighter. When he decided to go to law school, he wanted to learn to litigate contract disputes in international business. But an internship between his second and third years of law school opened his eyes to lurid world of injustice. Then he knew where he wanted to take the fight. During that internship, Daniel assisted in and observed a trial involving extremely serious allegations against the defendant. Despite a lack of evidence, unbelievable allegations and bad witnesses for the state, the jury decided to convict the defendant and seemingly came to a compromise verdict. It was during that trial that Daniel determined that he would dedicate his career to defending people from the flawed system that too often stacks the deck against the accused. For over 10 years that is all Daniel has done, defend those accused of crimes in the Fort Worth, Dallas, Weatherford, and surrounding areas.
Criminal Defense Attorney | Cofer Luster Law Firm, PC | 2020 – Present
Fort Worth, Texas
Daniel was elated to join Cofer Luster Law Firm, PC in 2020. It was fortuitous that Daniel matched with a team of two attorneys he admires and enjoys working with. In years past, Daniel had the opportunity to work with and try cases with Cody Cofer on several occasions, before Cofer left private practice to join the Federal Public Defender’s Office. Daniel became familiar with James Luster when they were pitted against each other during Luster’s time as a prosecutor (Assistant District Attorney in Tarrant County). They tried cases against each other. Both walked away brooding and bruised but with a mutual respect that evolved into friendship. Now, Daniel makes a third warrior in this bellicose band of criminal defense attorneys.
Criminal Attorney | Scott Burney and Associates | 2016-2020
Aledo, Texas
In 2016, Daniel joined Mark Scott and Adam Burney to help grow Scott Burney and Associates and their practice Parker and Johnson counties. This is one of the highest volume practices in the DFW Metroplex. Through his almost four years with Mark and Adam, Daniel handled hundreds of cases with great results and happy clients.
Partner | Factor Campbell and Collins | 2010 – 2015
Fort Worth, Texas
Daniel began his legal career as an intern under the guidance of one of the most successful and respected trial attorneys in Tarrant County, Abe Factor. After the opportunity to watch the justice system in action hundreds of times during the summer of 2008, Daniel knew this is what he would with the rest of his life. At Factor Campbell and Collins, Daniel was able to defend thousands and thousands of people with a wide range of offenses such as: possession of marijuana, DWI, assault family violence, aggravated assault, robberies, drug possession, sexual assault, and murder. This was the highest-volume private firm in Tarrant County. At the time, at no other firm could Daniel could not have received more experience.
Select Recognition
- National Top 100 Trial Attorneys
- Top 40 under 40 – Attorneys
- Fort Worth, Texas Magazine – Top Attorneys
- 360 West Magazine – Top Attorney
- Super Lawyer Rising star in 2018 and 2019
Professional Organizations
- State Bar of Texas
- Tarrant County Criminal Defense Association
- Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association
Personal Affiliations
- USA JUDO
- Foundation for American Judo, Founder
Education
St. Mary’s University School of Law | Doctor of Jurisprudence
Daniel Collins received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from St. Mary’s University School of Law. Daniel competed in the Saint Mary’s Moot Court and Mock Trial Competitions. It was in his second summer in law school that he Interned at Factor and Campbell and shifted his focus to criminal defense. Daniel also helped establish the St. Mary’s Innocence Project to help identify and overturn wrongful convictions.
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs | Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Daniel attended the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs for his undergraduate degree while a resident athlete at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. During that time Daniel focused on pre-law classes while traveling and competing as an Olympic hopeful in Judo. Daniel obtained his bachelor’s degree in political science while maintaining his training schedule and traveling to Judo tournaments.
United States Olympic Training Center | Resident Athlete Program
As two-time High School National Champion and Collegiate Silver Medalist Daniel was invited to live and train at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. At the time, the Center was home to the resident Olympic Judo Training Team, as well as men’s gymnastics, wrestling, volleyball, triathlon, speed skating, powerlifting, Tae Kwon Do and many others. It was truly an amazing experience to travel and compete to pursue his Olympic Dream. Daniel was consistently ranked in the top 5 on the United States Men’s Senior Roster in the 90kg, 100kg and 100+ from 1997 until 2007. Daniel competed throughout Europe and the Americas. Of course, the training and competing was intense and constantly being exposed to the highest-level athletes honed his work ethic and competitiveness. That fire to fight still burns inside Daniel, and he takes it into the courtroom.
