From Shenandoah Valley to Global Law: A Local's Journey

James Wood graduate Gary F. Collins reflects on growing up in Winchester and a career that led him from Army service to international law work.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 11:19pm

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Winchester, Virginia native Gary F. Collins, a graduate of James Wood High School's Class of 1979, has had a remarkable career journey that has taken him from his childhood in the Shenandoah Valley to military law, international diplomacy, and criminal defense work around the world. After growing up in a working-class family and taking early jobs like washing dishes and serving as a lifeguard, Collins pursued law and joined the U.S. Army as a Judge Advocate. His military service led to postings in Germany, Italy, and Iraq, and after leaving active duty, he went on to work for the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the European Union in conflict and post-conflict regions globally. Today, Collins works as a criminal defense attorney representing U.S. military personnel in southern Europe.

Why it matters

Collins' story highlights how a childhood in a small Virginia town can lead to an extraordinary global career, with his early experiences and mentors shaping his path into international law, diplomacy, and military justice. His journey also demonstrates the value of taking risks and pursuing one's passions, rather than prioritizing only job security, as well as the importance of maintaining connections to one's hometown roots.

The details

After growing up in Winchester and taking early jobs like washing dishes and serving as a lifeguard, Collins pursued law and joined the U.S. Army as a Judge Advocate. His military service led to postings in Germany, Italy, and Iraq, where he handled a wide range of criminal cases. After leaving active duty, he went on to work for the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the European Union in conflict and post-conflict regions globally, including Israel/Palestine, the former Yugoslavia, Bangladesh, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Somalia, and the Central African Republic. Today, Collins works as a criminal defense attorney representing U.S. military personnel in southern Europe, handling cases ranging from administrative issues to serious felony charges.

  • Collins graduated from James Wood High School in 1979.
  • He joined the U.S. Army as a Judge Advocate after law school.
  • Collins served in Germany and Italy and deployed to northern Iraq after the first Gulf War in the early 1990s.
  • In 1992, Collins joined the United Nations and moved to Jerusalem with his wife and infant son.
  • His daughter was born in Jerusalem in 1993.

The players

Gary F. Collins

A graduate of James Wood High School's Class of 1979 who has had a remarkable career journey that has taken him from his childhood in the Shenandoah Valley to military law, international diplomacy, and criminal defense work around the world.

Elton Eugene Gunter

An attorney who hired the teenage Collins as an errand boy in his law office, giving him an early introduction to the legal profession.

Dabney Waller Watts

An attorney whom Collins met while working on a merit badge in the Boy Scouts, and who captivated Collins with his large library filled with leather-bound books.

Breckenridge Wilcox

The U.S. Attorney who advised the young Collins to consider either a state prosecutor's office or the Army's Judge Advocate General's Corps to gain more courtroom experience.

John Altenburg

Collins' first Army supervisor, the Staff Judge Advocate, whom he credits as a mentor.

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What they’re saying

“Winchester in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s was a great place to be a boy. My parents were working class, and money was tight.”

— Gary F. Collins

“Anybody who has been in the military knows the sense of camaraderie. Road marching at 5 a.m. with a fifty-five-pound rucksack is not fun. But everybody is out there, and we are all suffering together.”

— Gary F. Collins

“I always tried to mix with the local population, drink tea with them and eat their food.”

— Gary F. Collins

“Everyone is entitled to competent legal assistance. The system works best when the prosecutor and the defense attorney do their jobs well.”

— Gary F. Collins

“Young people should do what they are passionate about. If you are interested in working abroad, read a lot. Learn languages to the best of your ability and travel.”

— Gary F. Collins

The takeaway

Collins' story demonstrates how a childhood in a small Virginia town can lead to an extraordinary global career, with his early experiences and mentors shaping his path into international law, diplomacy, and military justice. His journey highlights the value of taking risks, pursuing one's passions, and maintaining connections to one's hometown roots, even as one's career takes them around the world.