Collins & Lacy: Our Mission

At Collins & Lacy, we are in the service business. That’s more than a tagline or a branding exercise. It’s our foundational belief. We exist to serve our clients.

This clarity of purpose informs everything we do, from how we answer the phone to how we prepare for trial. When you know your mission, decision-making becomes simpler, and priorities become sharper.

So, what does service look like in a law firm like ours?

It starts with the mindset that the client comes first. Not in theory, but in in practice. Our clients come to us because they have a problem. Often, it’s high-stakes. It could be litigation that threatens a business, a dispute that could damage a brand, or a matter that simply requires thoughtful, competent resolution. Whatever the situation, our role is to stand beside them, shoulder the burden, and guide them to a resolution. We take that job seriously.

We believe we best serve our clients when we focus relentlessly on two things:

(1) Giving our clients the unvarnished truth—along with superior analysis and evaluation.
One of the greatest disservices a lawyer can offer is false confidence. Our clients are sophisticated. They don’t need cheerleaders or yes men. They need clarity. They need advisors who cut to the chase and shoot straight, who will confront the facts and the law honestly, and who won’t shy away from the tough conversations.

At Collins & Lacy, we deliver the truth—even when it’s hard. That’s the only way to build trust, and trust is the currency of any strong attorney-client relationship.

But truth alone isn’t enough. It must be paired with sharp analysis and judgment. That means taking a deep dive into the facts, understanding the applicable law, and crafting a clear picture of liability, damages, and risk. We assess not only what happened, but why it happened and how it will play in a deposition, at a mediation, or in a courtroom.

We also evaluate exposure with careful precision—giving our clients a roadmap of what’s likely, what’s possible, and what’s probable. Whether we’re dealing with a premises liability claim, a dram shop action, or a complex coverage dispute, our job is to make the murky understandable. Our clients should never feel lost in the process or surprised by an outcome that should’ve been anticipated.

Our analysis is never generic or surface-level. We apply our institutional knowledge, our years of trial experience, and our familiarity with South Carolina law and venues to offer real, strategic insight. Clients can’t afford to guess. They need to plan and decide—and we equip them to do just that.

(2) Executing on our mutually agreed-upon plan of resolution—effectively and efficiently.
Once we’ve delivered the analysis and aligned with our client on a strategy, we move to execution. And here’s where service meets discipline.

We move with purpose. We don’t waste time, and we don’t let cases drift. Once the path is clear, we operate with urgency and intentionality—whether that means filing a motion, deposing key witnesses, positioning for early resolution, or preparing for dispositive motion or trial.

We understand the clock and the calendar. Time matters to our clients and to us. That’s why we work with clear milestones and tight communication loops, so that clients always know what’s happening and what’s next. We don’t disappear into silence or delay; we stay engaged, responsive, and proactive.

Efficiency is part of our culture. But it doesn’t mean cutting corners. It means doing the right work at the right time: streamlined, smart, and focused. We take pride in being precise and cost-effective. Our clients deserve not just a strong defense, but one that respects their time, their budgets, and their business priorities.

We also make sure our clients are never alone in the process. When we execute, we execute together. That’s why we prioritize communication. We keep our clients informed and involved. We’re not just litigators; we’re partners in solving problems.

A Culture of Service
The core of our firm culture is service—not ego, not self-promotion, not billable hours for their own sake. We are in the trust business. We earn that trust by telling the truth, doing excellent work, and delivering consistent outcomes that match our word. We care about the work, and we
care about the people we work for.

This mission also shapes how we train our lawyers, build our teams, and grow our practice. We hire lawyers who take pride in preparation, who care about results, and who understand that excellence is a habit. We invest in systems and people that support long-term success, not short-term flash. And we measure our success by the quality of our service, not the size of our ego.

Looking Ahead
As we look to the future, the legal landscape will evolve. New challenges will emerge. Technology will change how we work. But what won’t change is our core mission: To serve.

We will continue to anchor ourselves in the belief that telling the truth, offering the best strategic guidance possible, and executing with excellence is the surest way to earn trust, build long-term relationships, and win in every sense of the word.

At Collins & Lacy, that’s what we believe. That’s how we practice. That’s who we are.