Collin J. Hite

Partner

p804.771.9595

c804.347.5703

f804.644.0957


Collin is the leader of Hirschler Fleischer’s Insurance Recovery Group. He only represents policyholders including, but not limited to, Fortune 1000 companies, middle market business entities, and professional services firms. Collin handles insurance recovery and coverage litigation nationally including the areas of business interruption, property, business torts, products liability, directors' and officers' liability, employee dishonesty, cyber/data breaches, ERISA benefits, intellectual property, construction defect, environmental matters and bad faith. Part of his insurance practice also involves reviewing insurance policies and programs in order to advise clients on types of coverage required by their businesses.

Collin also is the chair of the firm’s Data Privacy and Security practice. In this role, he assists clients with preparing data security policies and incident response plans. Collin also coaches clients on cyber risk management, as well as responding to actual intrusion and privacy events. He is a member of the Board of Editors of Cybersecurity Law & Strategy.

Previously, Collin was the practice leader of an AmLaw 50 firm’s insurance coverage team for 10 years. Heis frequently quoted in articles appearing in national publications, includingInsurance Law 360; Risk and Insurance; P&C National Underwriter; BNA's Corporate Accountability Report; Business Insurance;Virginia Business;Inside Counsel; Virginia Lawyers Weekly; Franchise Times; Corporate Counsel; The Wall Street Journal; Health Data Management; ACC Docket; and The Washington Post.

Collin’s experience includes substantial first chair trial experience in both state and federal courts. As part of his practice, he also handles cases involving business litigation, toxic torts, personal injury defense, legal malpractice, fraud, trade secrets and products liability. Collin possesses extensive experience in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, known as the “Rocket Docket.”

In addition to Virginia, Collin has represented clients in Florida, California, Missouri, Rhode Island, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Washington, South Carolina, and Ohio.

Education

  • American Institute for Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters, Malvern, Pennsylvania, Certificate in Cyber Risk Management, 2016
  • Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, Certificate in Executive Leadership, 2014
  • Southern Methodist University School of Law, Dallas, Texas, J.D., 1993
  • Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, B.A., cum laude, 1990

Published Works

  • “Data Breach Lawsuit Highlights the Need for Diligence when Purchasing Cyberinsurance,” Cybersecurity Law & Strategy, January 2017
  • “Preparation is the Best Defense Against a Cyber Attack,” Today’s General Counsel, October/November 2016
  • Does your insurance cover cyber attacks,” Restaurant Hospitality, November28, 2016
  • “Politicians are coming with new cyber security requirements—are you ready?,” Virginia Business, September27, 2016
  • “Understanding your personal insurance program can protect asset value,” Virginia Business, August2, 2016
  • “Data breach lawsuit highlights the need for due diligence in buying cyber insurance,” Virginia Business, June23, 2016
  • “Has The Fortress Been Hacked By Consumers: Class Actions Are Gaining Steam,” ACC Docket, (Co-authored with Kimberly Hillman), Association of Corporate Counsel, May 2016
  • “Recent Lowe’s Lawsuit is a Reminder to Notify Your Insurer,” Virginia Business, March 8, 2016
  • “Preparing for a Data Breach with Cyber Insurance,” e-Commerce Law & Strategy, January 2016
  • “Read the Small Print When Buying Cyber Cover,” Business Insurance, July19, 2015
  • “2015 RIMS Survey Points to Important Trends in Data Security and Cyber Coverage,” Virginia Business, July16, 2015
  • “Check Your Policy: ‘C’ in CGL Doesn’t Stand for Cyber,” Risk Management Monitor, February 4, 2015
  • “Small business advice: What your company can learn from the Sony cyberattack,” The Washington Post, December 23, 2014
  • “Litigation Costs Are In Your Control, So Take Control,” Law360, Portfolio Media, February6, 2014
  • Chapter 1 “New Challenges and Concerns for Insurance Law Attorneys and Their Clients,” Insurance Law 2014, Aspatore Books, 2014
  • “A Hybrid Methodology for Seeking Attorney’s Fees in the Eastern District of Virginia’s Rocket Docket,” The Federal Lawyer, (Co-authored with Timothy Patterson), The Federal Bar Association, December 2013
  • Chapter 12 “Insured’s Response to Environmental Liability,” Environmental Liability and Insurance Recovery, (Co-authored with Kevin O’Brien), American Bar Association Publishing, 2012

Speaking Engagements

  • “Recoupment of Defense Costs,” University Risk Management & Insurance Association, 2016
  • “The New 2015 Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Something New or Same Old Thing?” Lewis F. Powell, Jr. American Inn of Court, 2016
  • “Top 10 Issues That Keep Risk Managers Up At Night,” Risk Insurance Management Society, 2016
  • “Product Liability and Product Recall,” Webinar, Willis, 2015
  • “Recoupment of Defense Costs,” Risk Insurance Management Society, 2015
  • “Tips For Practice In The Eastern District of Virginia,” Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys, 2014
  • “Tripartite Trouble: Defending Under the Shadow of Coverage Issues,” Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys, Annual Meeting, 2014
  • “Cyber Security and Insurance Coverage,” Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys, Mid-Year Meeting, 2014
  • “Latest Developments in Cyber Regulation and Insurance,” Webinar, Bloomberg BNA, April 2013
  • “Cyber Security and Cyber Insurance: What You Need to Know About the Looming Threats,” Webinar, Bloomberg BNA, December 2012
  • "Federal Court Primer," Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys' Young Associates Seminar, Richmond, Virginia, 2011
  • “Introduction to the Federal Courthouse: Motions Practice and Discovery on the Rocket Docket,” Federal Bar Association, Richmond Chapter, February 2014; January 2013; and November 2011

Recognition

  • Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, Insurance Law, Woodward/White, Inc. 2017
  • “Leaders in the Law” Class of 2015, Virginia Lawyers Weekly
  • Selected for inclusion as a “Super Lawyer,” Insurance Coverage, Virginia Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2013-2016
  • Selected for inclusion as “Virginia’s Legal Elite,” (Alternative Dispute Resolution), Virginia Business, 2013-2016
  • AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
  • Rated highest of 12 candidates as “Highly Qualified” for appointment to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia by the Virginia State Bar Judicial Selection Committee, July 2013

Bar Admission

  • Virginia
  • Florida
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Western District of Virginia
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle and Southern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. Tax Court

Hirschler Fleischer