Related Information
Education
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Vanderbilt University Law School
J.D. 2004
Dean's List; Carl J. Ruskowski Clinical Legal Education Award; Vanderbilt Scholastic Excellence Awards in Federal Income Tax and Regulation of Financial Institutions; Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment Law and Practice, Notes Editor; Moot Court Board
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Tennessee Technological University
M.B.A. 2001
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Tennessee Technological University
B.S., magna cum laude, 2000
World Cultures and Business
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Tennessee Technological University
B.A., magna cum laude, 2000
Foreign Language, French
Admissions
Kentucky
Tennessee
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
Service Areas
- Bankruptcy
- Business Litigation
- Civil Litigation
- Financial Institutions Litigation and Subprime Litigation
- Real Estate and Land Use Litigation
- Creditors' Rights & Bankruptcy
- Creditors' Rights, Out-of-Court Workouts & Commercial Litigation
- Franchise, License and Agency Litigation
Industry Experience
- Banking / Financial Services
- Financing
- Consumer Products / Food / Beverage
Memberships
- American Bar Association
- Kentucky Bar Association
- American Bankruptcy Institute
- Nashville Bar Association
- Tennessee Bar Association
- Turnaround Management Association
- Lawyers' Association for Women - Nashville, Marion Griffin Chapter, Membership Chair
- International Women's Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation
Erika Barnes is a member of the firm's Creditors' Rights and Bankruptcy Service Group and the Business Litigation Service Group. She is licensed to practice law in Tennessee and Kentucky. Erika represents creditors and franchisors in bankruptcy cases nationwide. She also has experience representing creditors committees and Chapter 11 trustees. Erika handles complex commercial litigation matters in state and federal courts. She frequently represents lenders and special servicers in commercial foreclosures and mortgage litigation.
Recent Assignments
- Assisted secured creditor with Chapter 11 bankruptcy representation and recovery on loan secured by major downtown Nashville hotel
- Represented national restaurant franchisors in Chapter 11 bankruptcy involving more than 120 franchise locations
- Represented secured creditors and loan servicers in receiverships and foreclosures of apartment complexes, hotels, retail space and other commercial property
- Represented the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors for the Jockey's Guild, Inc. Chapter 11 bankruptcy
- Represented the liquidating trustee for the Lightyear Holdings, Inc., et al. Chapter 11 bankruptcy
- Successfully litigated trial and appeal of breach of contract claim
- Represented major equipment finance company in bankruptcy and collection matters
Recent Speaking Engagements and Publications
- "Bootcamp: Forclosure and Loan Workout Procedures," National Business Institute, September 2011
- "Tennessee foreclosure statutes: Lenders, take note," Stites & Harbison, PLLC, Client Alert, June 18, 2010
- "The Law and Practice of Foreclosure," 29th Annual Conference on Legal Issues for Financial Institutions, University of Kentucky College of Law, Lexington, Ky., September 2009
- "What to Do When Construction Projects Go Bad in Kentucky," Lorman Education Services, February 2008 and June 2006
- "Bank Garnishments - Do Your Duty!" Kentucky Banker Magazine, October 2007
- "In-Depth Title Insurance Principles," National Business Institute, June 2007
More than Stites & Harbison
Erika is a graduate of the 2011 Nashville Emerging Leaders Class. She actively participates in the Lawyers' Association for Women and currently serves as co-chair of membership.
Before Stites & Harbison
During law school, Erika worked as a legal intern for Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation. She was a French translator for ITI Worldwide in Cookeville, Tenn., from 1999 to 2000.