The pedicle screw litigation of the 1990s placed NASS at the center of a legal maelstrom. This was an era where misunderstandings and unfounded fears about the safety of medical devices led to mass tort litigation, and NASS found itself fighting not just for its own survival but for the future of patient care. Shawn Collins was the trusted hand that guided the society through these tumultuous times.

“When NASS’s existence was threatened by mass tort litigation in 1996-97, its functions of patient care, education, and research could have been compromised,” recalled NASS Past President David Fardon, MD. “We needed a lawyer. Our Executive Director, Eric Muehlbauer, found us Shawn Collins. We liked him. His enthusiasm, skill, and energy cleared the air so we could concentrate on our practices. Shawn led us, along with other medical professional societies who had been unjustly threatened, to be rid of the scourge of unwarranted litigation.”

NASS Executive Director Eric Muelhbauer, shared how the fortuitous relationship between Shawn Colins and NASS began. “NASS, AAOS, AANS, and SRS were all sued in this mass tort. The attorney from the AAOS called me and said we needed to have representation on a call in one hour. I originally met Shawn in 1985 at a Bar Association luncheon, and our senses of humor meshed well. I helped him run for Congress the following year. Although he didn't win the election, we stayed in touch. When we needed a lawyer—and quickly—I called Shawn. He was the right one for us, no doubt!”

Through painstaking research and preparation, Shawn and his team dismantled the opposition’s arguments. As NASS Past President David Wong, MD, noted, Shawn’s ability to incorporate key evidence—such as the widespread dissemination of the AO Manual, which documented early uses of pedicle screws—was instrumental. “The other side argued that a book from a Swiss group was not evidence that the device was disseminated in the US,” Dr. Wong explained. “But Shawn’s team were able to get the North American sales figures for the manual from 1970 up to the time of the litigation, which was in the tens of thousands, so crushed the argument that there was no US dissemination.”

The stakes of this case cannot be overstated. Had NASS and Shawn’s team not succeeded, the implications for spine surgery could have been catastrophic. “I don’t even want to think what the face of deformity and fusion surgery would be like today if pedicle screws had been taken off the market,” Dr. Wong added. “It’s definitely one of the few spine technologies that has truly stood the test of time.”

Shawn’s contributions to NASS went far beyond his legal victories. He became a trusted counselor and friend to many in the organization, providing guidance during moments of deep uncertainty. Hansen Yuan, another NASS Past President, shared his personal experience:

“I met him initially over the phone and in numerous conversations after Eric [Muehlbauer] connected me with him. He guided me through several hundreds of suits filed against me personally as I represented NASS. He always gave sound advice for each of the many depositions and court appearances that I had to attend as the defendant for the pedicle screw litigation. We had a long run of over a year of depositions and trials until one day he called me to say that we WON!

“He is NASS’s hero and my guiding light. He brought me through so I did not have to personally pay almost $1 million if we lost. This, as you know, was not covered by medical malpractice as it was civil. Shawn alone championed our cause.”

Shawn’s dedication and humanity shone through in every interaction. For those who had the privilege of working with him, he was more than just a legal advisor; he was a source of inspiration and courage.

While Shawn’s work with NASS represents a cornerstone of his career, his impact extended far beyond our organization. As the founder of the Collins Law Firm in Naperville, Illinois, he built a distinguished career as a trial lawyer, earning recognition as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The American Trial Lawyers Association from 2005 through 2022. His professional achievements were numerous, but his passion for justice and fairness remained at the heart of all he did.

Shawn’s influence on medical societies, professional communities, and countless individuals will continue to ripple outward. He was not merely a lawyer; he was an advocate for progress, fairness, and excellence in all he undertook.

Shawn Collins is survived by his wife, Meg; daughters, Cat (Tom), Cassidy, and Darcy; his mother, Rosemarie; and his siblings, Mary, Kathleen, Bridget, Monica, Patrick, and Thomas. For those who knew him, his legacy is also deeply personal. Shawn’s warmth, kindness, and generosity touched everyone around him.

As NASS leadership reflected on his life and work, the sentiment was unanimous: Shawn Collins was not just a legal advocate but a friend, a partner, and a guiding force. His dedication to justice and his compassion for people left an indelible mark on the spine community.

Shawn’s passing is an immeasurable loss, but his contributions will endure. NASS, its members, and the countless patients whose lives have been improved by spine surgery owe him a debt of gratitude. He was, and always will be, a true hero of spine surgery.

Rest in peace, Shawn. Your legacy will not be forgotten.