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.
Collecting a Judgment
Webinar, July 8, 2020
Asset Recovery Orders/Replevin Overview & Local Rules
Webinar, June 30, 2020
Proofs of Claim and Adequate Protection
Webinar, June 19, 2020
Hot Bankruptcy Decisions of 2019
Webinar, June 10, 2020
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
Nashville Emerging Leaders, Class of 2011
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.
Martindale-Hubbell® AV-Preeminent® Peer Review Rated
Best Lawyers in America®, Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law (2018-22)
Mid-South Super Lawyers®, Rising Star (2012-20)
National Association of Trial Advocacy, NITA Advocate
Board Certified - Business Bankruptcy Law - American Board of Certification
Erika is an outstanding attorney!
. . . top-notch lawyer who stands well above her peers in ability.
Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2022 Best Lawyers® Publications
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 93 lawyers are included in the 2022 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Additionally, 11 attorneys are named as “Lawyer of the Year” and 14 attorneys are recognized in “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch,” which recognizes attorneys early in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.
Amendments to the Bankruptcy Code Impact Lessors Post COVID-19
With available vaccines and lifted restrictions, restaurant capacities have increased, moratoriums are ending, and handshakes abound. This return to normalcy comes along with the need to address the ongoing impact of COVID-19 and legislation enacted in response. For example, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act’s amendments to the Bankruptcy Code will have an impact through at least December 2022.
Ten Stites & Harbison Attorneys Honored by 2020 Mid-South Super Lawyers
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The 2020 edition of Mid-South Super Lawyers recently honored 10 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys.
Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2021 Best Lawyers® Publications
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 82 lawyers are included in the 2021 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.
Mid-South Commercial Law Institute Elects Erika Barnes to its Board of Directors
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The Mid-South Commercial Law Institute (MSCLI) recently elected Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Erika Barnes as a director of its 25-member Board of Directors.
Stites & Harbison elects three attorneys to Management Committee
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC recently elected three members to the firm’s six-member Management Committee, replacing three attorneys who completed their terms of service. The new committee members are attorneys Erika Barnes, Carol Dan Browning and Richard Wehrle.
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.