Attorneys

Member

Erika R. Barnes

Nashville, TN

Memphis, TN

615-782-2252

Erika Barnes is a member of the firm’s Creditors’ Rights and Bankruptcy Service Group and the Business Litigation Service Group. Erika is certified as a specialist in Business Bankruptcy by the American Board of Certification. Erika represents creditors and franchisors in bankruptcy cases nationwide. She also has experience representing creditors’ committees and Chapter 11 trustees. Erika handles real estate curative litigation and complex commercial litigation matters in state and federal courts. She frequently represents lenders in commercial foreclosures and mortgage litigation.

Capabilities

Practice Areas

Bankruptcy

Business Litigation

Creditors’ Rights & Bankruptcy

Creditors’ Rights, Out-of-Court Workouts & Commercial Litigation

Financial Services Litigation

Franchise & Distribution

Litigation & Appeals

Loan Servicing (Special)

Real Estate & Land Use Litigation

Recent News, Articles & Speaking Engagements

Reining in the Woo-Girls: Navigating short-term rentals

Hot Topics in Real Estate 2022, Tennessee Bar Association and Tennessee Land Title Association, November 4, 2022

Amendments to the Bankruptcy Code Impact Lessors Post COVID-19

with Brian R. Pollock,

Stites & Harbison Client Alert, July 14, 2021

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

with Katie M. Glass and Brian R. Pollock

Hot Bankruptcy Decisions of 2019

Webinar, June 10, 2020

with Brian R. Pollock

New Bankruptcy Law May Increase Small Business Filings

with Brian R. Pollock, Stites & Harbison Client Alert, February 18, 2020

Trademarks in Bankruptcy

with Alexandra MacKay,

Stites & Harbison Client Alert, May 28, 2019

Tarnished Arches: A Survey of Franchise Bankruptcy Issues

Nashville Bar Association CLE, April 10, 2017

To License or not to License?

Stites & Harbison Client Alert, April 29, 2015

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act: What it means for creditors’ rights

Stites & Harbison Client Alert, July 3, 2013

Procedural arguments may carry the day, but only if timely raised

Stites & Harbison Client Alert, February 20, 2013

Bootcamp: Foreclosure 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 a Construction Project Goes Bad

Lorman Education Services, Louisville, Ky., February 26, 2008 with Steven M. Henderson

Bank Garnishments - Do Your Duty!

Kentucky Banker Magazine, October 2007

In-Depth Title Insurance Principles

National Business Institute, June 2007

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 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

Bar Admissions

Kentucky

Tennessee

U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee

U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee

Firm Leadership

Office of General Counsel, Ethics Subcommittee (2023-present)

Nashville Office Recruiting Committee, Member

Management Committee, Member (Feb. 2020-24)

Memberships

American Bar Association

Kentucky Bar Association

American Bankruptcy Institute

Nashville Bar Association

Tennessee Bar Association

,

Bankruptcy Section, Chair

Turnaround Management Association

Lawyers' Association for Women - Nashville

,

Marion Griffin Chapter

American Board of Certification

,

Board of Directors

Mid-South Commercial Law Institute

,

Director

Community Involvement

Nashville Emerging Leaders, Class of 2011

Education

J.D.,

2004

Vanderbilt University Law School

Org / Honor

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

M.B.A.,

2001

Tennessee Technological University

B.S., World Cultures and Business,

2000

magna cum laude

Tennessee Technological University

B.A., Foreign Language, French,

2000

magna cum laude

Tennessee Technological University

More Than Stites & Harbison

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, current Chair of the Tennessee Bar Association Bankruptcy Section and is a graduate of the 2011 Nashville Emerging Leaders Class.

Accolades

Martindale-Hubbell® AV-Preeminent® Peer Review Rated

Best Lawyers in America®, Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law (2018-25)

Mid-South Super Lawyers® (2023-24)

Mid-South Super Lawyers®, Rising Star (2012-20)

National Association of Trial Advocacy, NITA Advocate

Board Certified – Business Bankruptcy Law – American Board of Certification

Nashville Emerging Leaders, Class of 2011

Testimonials

Erika is an outstanding attorney!

Martindale-Hubbell

. . . top-notch lawyer who stands well above her peers in ability.

Martindale-Hubbell

Contact Resources

Erika R. Barnes's PDF Erika R. Barnes's Contact VCF

See more related to Erika Barnes

Press Releases

Ten Stites & Harbison Attorneys Honored by 2024 Mid-South Super Lawyers

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The 2024 edition of Mid-South Super Lawyers recently honored 10 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys. Seven attorneys were named to the Super Lawyers list and three were named to the Rising Stars list. Of note, Alexandra MacKay received special recognition in this year’s Mid-South Super Lawyers. For the second...
by Stites & Harbison, PLLC

December 02, 2024

Press Releases

Ten Stites & Harbison Attorneys Honored by 2023 Mid-South Super Lawyers

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The 2023 edition of Mid-South Super Lawyers recently honored 10 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys. Seven attorneys were named to the Super Lawyers list and three were named to the Rising Stars list. The attorneys named to the Super Lawyers list include: Erika R. Barnes Rebecca McKelvey Castañeda Elizabeth...
by Stites & Harbison, PLLC

December 01, 2023

Press Releases

Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2024 Best Lawyers® Publications

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 101 of its lawyers are included in the 2024 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 according to the publication....
by Stites & Harbison, PLLC

August 24, 2023

Press Releases

Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2023 Best Lawyers® Publications

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 98 of its lawyers are included in the 2023 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 according to the publication....
by Stites & Harbison, PLLC

August 18, 2022

Press Releases

Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2022 Best Lawyers® Publications

Honorees Include 11 as “Lawyer of the Year,” 93 in Best Lawyers in America and 14 in “Ones to Watch” 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...
by Stites & Harbison, PLLC

September 01, 2021

Client Alerts

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...
by Erika R. Barnes, Brian R. Pollock and Jackson B. Sanders, 2021 Summer Associate

July 13, 2021

Press Releases

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. Five attorneys were named to the Super Lawyers list and five were named to the Rising Stars list. Of special note, Gregory Smith was named to the Top 50 Nashville and Top 100 Tennessee...
by Stites & Harbison, PLLC

December 02, 2020

Press Releases

Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2021 Best Lawyers® Publications

Honorees Include 14 as “Lawyer of the Year,” 82 in Best Lawyers in America and 21 in “Ones to Watch” LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 82 lawyers are included in the 2021 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Since it was first published in...
by Stites & Harbison, PLLC

August 20, 2020

SEE MORE