Lauren Collins, Esq.
Association Attorney
HeplerBroom, LLC
In short, what do you do?
I develop legal defenses in toxic tort matters. In my capacity, I am what some may refer to as the “first line of defense.” It is my job to investigate claims and defend clients in numerous asbestos lawsuits. As an associate, I defend clients in depositions, draft motions and help determine the best course of action for a lawsuit based on the allegations.
(Among her list of accomplishments, Lauren received the Missouri Lawyers Weekly Women’s Justice Award in 2012 and was recognized as a Leader of Tomorrow. In 2015 she was elected to the Young Lawyers Council of the Missouri Bar and in 2016 as a District Representative for Missouri and Kansas for the Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association).
What advice would you give to an aspiring female African-American college student, who is uncertain about entering law school?
I would tell an aspiring female African-American college student who is uncertain about entering law school to take your time making a decision. You don’t have to be certain about what type of law you want to practice, but you should be certain about wanting to go to law school. Also talk to as many attorneys you can about their experience. It is always good to connect with someone who has experience. I would also advise to do as much of your own research as possible. There are a lot of resources available, so anyone interested in law school should take advantage of that.
You’re particularly active in the local legal community. Tell us about your involvement and the professional value it provides.
My involvement in the local legal community is multifaceted. I enjoy being a part of a diverse group of organizations and having an opportunity to get different point of views regarding my practice and growth in the field. It is also a great way to connect with different lawyers not just locally but around the country. What I enjoy most about my involvement in different organizations is meeting law students who will be entering the practice soon.
What pro bono work or community service efforts are you particularly proud of?
When I served as a district representative for the Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association, I had an opportunity to help coordinate with different legal services around the state, the state bar and the federal government to help provide legal services to Missouri citizens that were affected by the flooding that occurred last spring.
What are your favorite travel destinations?
Typically I am open to traveling anywhere warm, but my favorite place to visit of all time is Paris. It’s just a beautiful city and I don’t even mind being there when it is cold!
