BACKGROUND
Mingkwan Emme Collins grew up in Thailand and Southern California. She earned her B.A. in psychology with a minor in criminal justice along with a Master of Education from East Tennessee State University. She was admitted to the Virginia State Bar after completing the Virginia Law Reader Program in 2010.
Mingkwan has practiced law in Southwest Virginia since 2010 and proudly considers this region her home. Her areas of practice include workers’ compensation and occupational disease -pneumoconiosis (black lung). Mingkwan has devoted her career to representing injured workers and disabled claimants.
Mingkwan has a very successful track record in evidentiary hearings and settlement mediation. She has had several opinions and cases published by the Court of Appeals of Virginia and Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission. Mingkwan currently serves as co-chair for the Southwest Virginia Workers’ Compensation Bar, the Virginia Workers’ Compensation American Inn of Court program committee, and the Virginia Workers’ Compensation American Inn of Court program committee and mentorship committee. Since 2016, Mingkwan has served as a hearing officer appointed by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia.
In addition to English, Mingkwan speaks fluent Thai. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, writing, and advocating for human rights.
Teaching Engagements
Legal Ethics, Discovery, and Social Media – VAWCC Educational Conference – October 2023
Virginia Workers’ Compensation American Inn of Court – SWVA Bar – April 2024
Navigating the Complexities of Employer’s Applications for Hearing – VAWCC Education Conference – October 2024
