Expert of Counsel (EOC) is an advisory firm providing expert services in three principal areas:
Challenges arising from geopolitical and national security issues
Strategic guidance to corporate boards, special committees, and senior management
Alternative business dispute resolution and litigation support
EOC provides services directly and, as needed, in collaboration with professionals of KraftCPAs PLLC and its affiliated companies. One of the largest CPA firms in Tennessee, KraftCPAs and its affiliates have vast, specialized resources in tax, accounting, business valuation, technology, cybersecurity, and merchant banking.
Michael E. Collins, CPA, ABV, CFF
Mike is managing member and founder of Expert of Counsel, PLLC (EOC). He brings real-world business experience together with extensive professional and other specialized education and training.
EOC is an advisory firm providing expert services in three principal areas: challenges arising from geopolitical and national security issues, strategic guidance to corporate boards (including board representation), special committees, and senior management; and alternative business dispute resolution and litigation support.
Mike began his professional career in 1972 with Price Waterhouse (Coopers). He later entered the venture capital and merchant banking industry with Nashville Tennessee based Nelson Capital Corporation. In 1993, in conjunction with KraftCPAs, one of the largest CPA firms in Tennessee, Mike co-founded 2nd Generation Capital, LLC (2ndG) where he served as CEO until his retirement in 2015. 2ndG was a merchant and investment banking firm (FINRA and SIPC licensed broker-dealer).
An active investor, Mike, has been engaged in merchant and investment banking and venture capital industries as a principal and senior executive throughout his business career. He has served on corporate boards and chaired executive, compensation, audit, investment, and other key committees. Based on his experience, Mike developed unique insights into a wide array of businesses and industries. His principal areas of interest include defense, medical devices, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and related intellectual property.
Mike has been a venture capital investor, board member, board chair, executive and audit committee member, or/and drug development committee member for companies engaged in clinical trials and pharmaceutical research and development. Mike has participated in the related licensing, technology transfer, research, development, and drug production contract process. His experience includes the international company Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI), now owned by Hospital Corporation of America. Mike was an investor and served as Chairperson of the Board for SCRI.
For more than twenty-five years, Mike has been an advisor to the board of the Southwestern Family of Companies. Established in Nashville in 1855, Southwestern Family of Companies is one of the largest and oldest private corporations in Tennessee comprised of companies across the globe. International operations include the UK, Europe, Eurasia, and Africa.
Mike has developed experience in national defense, security, and intelligence policy. He has been involved in US Army War College, NATO Defense College, Kingston Consortium on International Security, and other defense-related programs. He is a member of the Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) and Chatham House, The Royal Institute of International Affairs. Mike was an investor and board member (with clearances) of MicroCraft, Inc, a defense industry aerospace, engineering, and manufacturing firm based in Tennessee.
As a result of his experience, Mike is often engaged to provide expert services in complex business disputes related to his investment and professional experience. He has developed experience as an expert witness and as an arbitrator or mediator. Mike is a frequent speaker and author on corporate governance, finance, business, intellectual property, valuation, geopolitical and national security issues, and business dispute resolution. An Adjunct Professor of Law, Mike has been a guest lecturer or instructor for professional associations, as well as law and business schools.
Professional and Community Service
- Adjunct Professor of Law at Belmont University College of Law (Retired)
- Adjunct Professor of Law at Vanderbilt University Law School (Retired)
- Vanderbilt University Owen School of Business (Guest Lecturer)
- Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization (CTTC), Vanderbilt University, Advisory Council (Member – Retired)
- University of Tennessee Law School (Guest Lecturer)
- Lipscomb University Pfeffer Graduate School of Business (Guest Lecturer)
- Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) (Member – Retired)
- Licensing Executives Society (LES) (Member - Retired)
- Received “Healthcare Newsmaker Award,” Nashville Business Journal
- Selected as In-Charge Leader, Nashville Medical News
- National Science Centre, Poland (Peer Reviewer)
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA (Life Member)
- Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA) (Life Member)
- TSCPA ten-year member of planning committee for annual Forensic and Valuation Services Conference
- US Army War College:
- Appointment to Commandant’s National Security Program (CNSP)
- Strategic Studies Institute (SSI), and other National and International Defense and Security Programs (Participant)
- Army War College Foundation, Inc. (Life Member)
- NATO Defense College, Rome:
- “Roman Banya” - International workshop team of experts including academics, practitioners and contributing authors on Russian political, security, and military matters.
- "The Future of Strategic Competition in Central Asia” - Regional and international expert workshop team including academics, practitioners and contributing authors.
- Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) (Member)
- Kingston Consortium on International Security (KCIS) (Participant)
- Canadian Defence Association (CAD) Conference on Security and Defence (Participant)
- Chatham House, The Royal Institute of International Affairs (Member)
Certifications
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with specialties Accredited in Business Valuations (ABV), and Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF)
- Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Licenses 7, 63, 79 and 24 (Retired)
- FINRA Dispute Resolution Arbitrator
- American Arbitration Association (AAA) Arbitrator (Served as sole arbitrator and is listed on AAA commercial and specialty panels)
Education
- B.S., Business Administration, Honors Graduate, University of Tennessee
- Meets and generally exceeds the continuing education requirements for his various professional licenses and organizations.
- Specialized education in areas of national security, defense, and intelligence.
Major Case Summary
The following is a sample listing of major cases (complexity of issue, damage amounts, and legal cites) where Mike Collins has provided expert witness and/or support services. This sample is taken from a total listing of more than 50 cases. An expanded case listing is available on request.
Case Style
Court
Case #
Party Represented
Athlon Sports Communications, Inc. vs Stephen C. Duggan, Et al
Supreme Court of Tennessee at Nashville (Appeal by permission from the Court of Appeals Chancery Court for Davidson County)
12-1787-111
Plaintiff
American HomePatient, Inc. Debtor
United States Bankruptcy Court
for the Middle District of Tennessee
02-08915-GP-11
Debtor
Howard J. Berger and Steven Fox vs. Roger E. Mick, Donald J. Israel, Thomas F. Frist, HCA-Hospital Corporation of America, Goldman Sachs & Co., Merrill Lynch & Co. and J. P. Morgan Securities, Inc.
US District Court
Southern District of New York
92 Civ. 8960 (PKL) and 92 Civ. 9139 (PKL)
Defendant
John T. Braun, MD vs. Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Inc.
United States District Court
for the
District of Utah Central Division
2:10cv01283
Plaintiff
BioMimetic Therapeutics, Inc. vs Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc.
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
FINRA 09-00876
Claimant
Draughons College of Knoxville, Inc., et al vs. Shelton & Rice Properties, et al
US Bankruptcy Court
for the Eastern District of Tennessee
92-30021
Plaintiff
Fastenetix, LLC vs. Medtronic Sofamore Danek, Inc., and Sofamore Danek USA, Inc.
United States District Court,
District of New Jersey
06-2070 SRC-MAS
Plaintiff
Holcomb Healthcare Services, LLC Debtor vs. Salans; Salans, Hertzfeld, Heilbonn, Christy & Viener; Christy & Viener; Karon S. Walker & Anthony Joseph
United State Bankruptcy Court
Middle District of Tennessee
Nashville Division
303-0202A
Plaintiff
King Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Monarch Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; King Pharmaceuticals Research and Development, Inc.; and Gentrac, Incorporated vs. Zymogenetics, Inc. and John and Jane Does 1-50
United States District Court
for the Eastern District of Tennessee
Greeneville Division
2:09-cv-244
Plaintiff
Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Inc. vs. Gary K. Michelson, M.D., and Karlin Technology, Inc.
United States District Court
for the Western District of Tennessee
Western Division
01-2373 M1V
Defendant
Orthopartners, LLC, et. al. vs. Smith & Nephew, Inc.
American Arbitration Association
50 193 T 00557 10
Claimant
David Pack, Special Deputy Commissioner of Insurance State of Tennessee v Donald R. O'Guin, Sr., Et al
Chancery Court for Davidson County,
Tennessee at Nashville
79-486-II
Plaintiff
Chemical Separations Corp. (Debtor) Chemical Separations Corporation v (Numerous individual creditors and others)
United States Bankruptcy Court,
Eastern District of Tennessee
3-82-01569
Debtor
Chemical Separations Corp. v. Foster Wheeler Corp.
United State Bankruptcy Court
Eastern District of Tennessee
Knoxville Division
3-83-0302
Defendant
Chad J. Shandler, Trustee of Insilco Technologies, Inc. vs. DLJ Merchant Banking Et al and McDonald Investments, Inc.
Court of Chancery of the
State of Delaware
CA# 4797-VCS
Defendant