Antoine L Collins

In this role, I contribute to Canada’s human rights and humanitarian record by making fair decisions in accordance with the law, impartially and free of improper influence. I am responsible for leading hearings with refugee claimants present where I canvas for information appropriately and in-line with procedural fairness and natural justice. In carrying out my responsibilities, I collaborate with team members, legal advisors, researchers and other resources to help provide protection to those in need, ensure the safety and security of Canadians, reunite families and protect the integrity of Canada’s immigration and refugee system. I am continually learning about also benefit from refugee protection training programs in immigration and refugee law, world geography and cultures, hearing management and the promotion of greater understanding of cases involving sexual orientation and gender identity and expression, among others.

To illustrate the scope of my career history and professional competencies, I began my 16 year legal and professional career as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Maryland. During this time, I prosecuted cases ranging from minor thefts to felony child abuse and domestic violence, working collaboratively with police officers, the Department of Juvenile Services and other service care providers. In the Juvenile Justice Center of the Baltimore State Attorney’s Office, I carried approximately 200 open criminal cases. These included: thefts, assaults, burglary and narcotics cases. I prosecuted each case from the initial complaint stage, through arraignment, trial and finally disposition.

Following my employment in Juvenile Court, I handled adult misdemeanor cases as part of a rotating group of attorneys. In this capacity, every night I received from two to more than 25 cases, and had to prepare each case for a jury trial scheduled on the following day. This required me to contact witnesses, track down paperwork from previous Assistants in the lower District Court and evaluate each case within a very short time period.

I concluded my tenure with the State’s Attorney’s Office by prosecuting child abuse and domestic violence cases in the Felony Family Violence Division. In carrying out this work, I interviewed victims and witnesses, including qualifying experts in the competency of children, and negotiated plea agreements. During this time, I worked collaboratively with police officers, the Department of Juvenile Services and other service and care providers.

Subsequently, I took a position as an Associate with the law firm of Semmes, Bowen and Semmes (SBS), in its Workers’ Compensation practice group, where my considerable litigation experience made me of immediate value to the firm. While at the firm, I quickly became adept at preparing discovery, conducting depositions, arguing motions, and negotiating plea agreements. I researched and wrote several memoranda of law regarding workers’ compensation defence issues. The firm was highly impressed that I was so quickly able to switch gears from the role of a prosecutor at the States Attorney’s Office to defending civil matters in the specialized area of workers’ compensation.

I handled all phases of workers’ compensation litigation, including Commission hearings and appeals. I also represented self-insurance groups and employers who were self-insured in Maryland for workers’ compensation, including representing them in the regulatory process involved in obtaining and maintaining their self-insured status. I worked directly with company representatives and claims department personnel, which enabled me to aggressively defend our clients’ interests. Furthermore, I worked with my clients to develop appropriate claims investigation programs and safety measures.