Erika R. Barnes
Erika Barnes is a member of the firm's Creditors' Rights and Bankruptcy Service Group and the Business Litigation Service Group. 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. Erika is certified as a specialist in Business Bankruptcy by the American Board of Certification.
Tarnished Arches: A Survey of Franchise Bankruptcy Issues
Nashville Bar Association CLE, April 10, 2017
Bootcamp: Foreclosure and Loan Workout Procedures
The Law and Practice of Foreclosure
What to do When a Construction Project Goes Bad
Bank Garnishments - Do Your Duty!
In-Depth Title Insurance Principles
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 of franchisee 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 companies in bankruptcy and collection matters
Johnson Assocs. Corp. v. HL Operating Corp., dba Hartmann, 680 F.3d 713 (6th Cir. May 23, 2012), affirming 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 126751 (M.D. Tenn. November 30, 2010)
Korp. v. Wagstaff Minnesota, Inc. (In re Wagstaff Minnesota, Inc.), 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 372 (D. Minn. January 3, 2012), reversing bankruptcy court decision
In re Kazi Foods of Michigan, Inc., 473 B.R. 887 (Bankr. E.D. Mich. August 4, 2011)
T&L Invs., LLC v. Bayview Small Business Funding, LLC, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 10552 (M.D. Tenn. February 2, 2011)
Nat'l City Bank v. Breeden, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 132038 (W.D. Ky. October 29, 2009)
Management Committee, Member (Feb. 2020-present)
Nashville Office Recruiting Committee, Member
Vanderbilt University Law School
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Dean's List
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Carl J. Ruskowski Clinical Legal Education Award
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Vanderbilt Scholastic Excellence Awards in Federal Income Tax and Regulation of Financial Institutions
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Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment Law and Practice, Notes Editor
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Moot Court Board
Tennessee Technological University
magna cum laude
Tennessee Technological University
magna cum laude
Tennessee Technological University
Prior to attending law school, Ms. Barnes was a French translator for ITI Worldwide in Cookeville, Tennessee. During law school, Ms. Barnes worked as a legal intern for Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation. Erika is a member of the board of directors of the American Board of Certification, an organization that certifies attorneys as specialists in business bankruptcy, consumer bankruptcy and creditors' rights law. She is a director of the Mid-South Commercial Law Institute, a Past Chair of the Tennessee Bar Association Bankruptcy Section Executive Council and is a graduate of the 2011 Nashville Emerging Leaders Class. Erika also actively participates in the Lawyers' Association for Women.
Martindale-Hubbell® AV-Preeminent® Peer Review Rated
Best Lawyers in America®, Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law (2018-20)
Mid-South Super Lawyers®, Rising Star (2012-19)
National Association of Trial Advocacy, NITA Advocate
Board Certified - Business Bankruptcy Law - American Board of Certification
Nashville Emerging Leaders, Class of 2011
Erika is an outstanding attorney!
. . . top-notch lawyer who stands well above her peers in ability.
New Bankruptcy Law May Increase Small Business Filings
On Wednesday, February 19, 2020, the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 creating a new Subchapter V for small-business debtors (less than $2,725,625 in debt) becomes effective. The purpose of this act is to eliminate some of the costly elements of a business bankruptcy reorganization and streamline the procedures.
Nine Stites & Harbison attorneys honored by 2019 Mid-South Super Lawyers
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The 2019 edition of Mid-South Super Lawyers recently honored nine Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys.
Best Lawyers in America Honors 75 Stites & Harbison attorneys for 2020
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The Best Lawyers in America© 2020 has recognized 75 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys as selected by their peers in 49 areas of practice. Forty-three of those attorneys selected have been honored for 10 consecutive years or more.
Trademarks in Bankruptcy
Last week, in Mission Products, Inc. v. Tempnology, LLC, ___ U.S. ___, Case No. 17-1657 (May 20, 2019), the U.S. Supreme Court resolved a circuit split by clarifying the consequences of a bankruptcy debtor’s rejection of a trademark license when the bankruptcy debtor is the trademark licensor.
Ten Stites & Harbison Attorneys Honored by 2018 Mid-South Super Lawyers
Best Lawyers in America honors 72 Stites & Harbison attorneys for 2019
Eleven Stites & Harbison attorneys honored by 2017 Mid-South Super Lawyers
Best Lawyers in America honors 79 Stites & Harbison attorneys for 2018
Nine Stites & Harbison attorneys honored by 2016 Mid-South Super Lawyers
Ten Stites & Harbison Attorneys Honored by 2015 Mid-South Super Lawyers
To License or not to License?
Stites & Harbison attorney named Top 50 Nashville & Top 100 Tennessee by Mid-South Super Lawyers
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act: What it means for creditors' rights
Procedural arguments may carry the day, but only if timely raised
Stites & Harbison attorney named among Top 50 & Top 100 Attorneys by Mid-South Super Lawyers
Stites & Harbison names eight new members and one new counsel
Tennessee foreclosure statutes: Lenders, take note