P. Clarkson Collins, Jr.

P. Clarkson Collins, Jr. has more than 40 years of litigation experience in complex corporate, commercial, and fiduciary matters in both jury and non-jury trials. Clark is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. He represents corporations, directors and officers, and alternative entities and their managers and members in class, derivative, and individual actions involving governance, breach of fiduciary duty, appraisal, dissolution, summary proceedings, and claims for indemnification and advancement. He also represents clients in a wide variety of business tort, trust, fiduciary, and contract actions, including trade secret, unfair competition, lender liability, joint venture disputes, and professional liability claims.

• Defense of telecommunications company at trial defeating challenge to its consummation of an industry merger
• Representation of global chemical manufacturing company to remedy misappropriation of its industry leading proprietary trade secret technology
• Defense of directors of petroleum company in shareholder class action trial challenging entire fairness of merger and successful appeal upholding defense judgment
• Defense of officer of global insurer in shareholder derivative action claiming breach of fiduciary duty
• Representation of chemical manufacturing company in joint venture dispute, successfully enforcing contract and fiduciary claims against co-venturer
• Representation of biotechnology company in expedited suit to enjoin interference with contractual licensing rights
• Defense of telecommunication equipment manufacturer in contract action seeking royalties claimed under IP settlement agreement
• Defense of bank against lender liability claims at trial and successful appeal upholding verdict
• Representation of software technology company at trial and successful appeal upholding damages judgment and rejecting fraud defense
• Defense of university against breach of trust in connection with management of an endowed research institute and successful appeal upholding dismissal
• Representation of hedge funds owner in litigation against co-owner for breaches of fiduciary duty and winding up the funds

Professional Background

Delaware Department of Justice, Deputy Attorney General, Criminal Prosecutor, 1976-78

Professional Affiliations

Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
Delaware State Bar Association, Executive Council of the Corporation Law Section, Chair, 2017-2018
Delaware State Bar Association, Professional Ethics Committee, Co-Chair, 1991-95
Delaware State Bar Association, Judicial Appointments Committee, 2004-Present
Delaware Supreme Court Committee to Revise Principles of Professionalism for Delaware Lawyers and to Develop Code of Professionalism for Judges, Co-Chair by Court Appointment, 2003
Delaware Board of Bar Examiners, Assistant Secretary, 1987-1988, Secretary, 1989-90, Board Member, 2002-2007
Delaware Judicial Nominating Commission, 2004-2009
American Bar Association, Business Law, Business Litigation and Litigation Sections
The Office of the Child Advocate, Guardian ad litem on behalf of abused and neglected children
Appointed Guardian ad litem for Kelly Stevens by Delaware Supreme Court, In re Stevens, Del. Supr. 669 A.2d 33, 1995

Latest Blog Posts

Delaware Business Litigation Report

• Chancery Denies Sellers’ Request for Dismissal, Finding That Fraud Claims Were Timely Filed and Properly Pled
• Chancery Addresses Burdens for Valuation-Related Books-and-Records Inspections, While Finding Defendant’s Asserted Lack of Records Supported Mismanagement-Related Inspection
• The Court of Chancery Enforces Fee-Shifting Provision Against Unsuccessful Petitioner Who Also Had Waived its Appraisal Remedy in the Parties’ Stockholder Agreement
• Chancery Dismisses Action Involving Unusual Issue of Personal Jurisdiction
• In Post-Trial Opinion, Chancery Finds for Defendant, Rejecting Claims Alleging Breach of Purchase Agreement and Right to “Board Packages”
• CCLD Addresses Ripeness Doctrine and the “Stranger Rule” in Tortious Interference Claims, Partially Dismisses Claims for Breach of Corporate-Owned Group Variable Life Insurance Policies
• Chancery Declines to Follow Transcript Ruling, Finds Plaintiff is Entitled to Advancement of Fees Incurred in Underlying Action Pre-Undertaking
• Delaware Supreme Court Reverses Chancery in Dispute Involving Dueling Transfer Restrictions
• View More

Community

Children & Families First Delaware, Former President and Chair (1992 - 1994), Board of Directors, (1980 - Present)
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Elder, Trustee
United States Army Reserve, Field Artillery Captain (1972 - 1980)

Honors

American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow

Delaware State Bar Association, Daniel L. Herrmann Professional Conduct Award, 2016

Delaware Today® Top Lawyers, Corporate Law, 2014, 2018, 2019 (top vote-getter)

Chambers USA - Recognized for work in the Delaware Court of Chancery, 2006-2020

Benchmark Litigation, Litigation Star, 2010-2018

Best Lawyers®, 2005-2012, 2014-2021

Delaware Super Lawyers®, 2007-2020

Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Rating

Dickinson Law Review, Board of Editors, 1974-75