Erin Palmer Polly guides clients through complex disputes with a practical, business-focused approach, aligning legal strategy with broader business objectives. She is a member of the firm’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution Practice Group and focuses on business and commercial litigation, with a particular strength in healthcare-related disputes.
Erin represents clients in federal and state courts and in arbitration proceedings, handling matters from early case assessment through trial and appeal. She is known for distilling complicated issues into clear, actionable strategies and for maintaining a steady, solutions-oriented approach in high-pressure situations.
Her practice includes:
- Business & Commercial Litigation – Representing companies in a wide range of disputes, including business torts, contract claims, and other complex commercial matters, with an emphasis on efficient and strategic resolution.
- Provider-Payor & Managed Care Disputes – Advising healthcare providers in reimbursement and contractual disputes with payors, including high-value matters ranging from $17 million to $240 million in courts and arbitration forums nationwide.
- Trial, Arbitration & Appellate Advocacy – Serving as an advocate in trial courts, arbitration proceedings, and on appeal, including experience before the Tennessee Supreme Court, and developing litigation strategies tailored to each stage of a dispute.
Erin frequently is called upon to handle significant healthcare disputes involving complex financial and contractual issues, bringing a practical perspective to managing risk and advancing her clients’ business goals.
Memberships
Nashville Bar Association — President (2018); Young Lawyers Division, President (2014)
Nashville Bar Foundation — President (2024); Fellow (2015)
Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands — Board of Directors (2019-present); Campaign for Equity Justice, Chair (2019)
Maryville College — Board of Directors (2020-present)
Lawyers’ Association for Women, Marion Griffin Chapter
Harry Phillips American Inn of Court — Treasurer
Tennessee Bar Association — Leadership Law Program (Class of 2014)
Tennessee Bar Foundation — Fellow (2019)
Tennessee Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection — Chair (2020-2021)
Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel
Belmont University College of Law — Dean’s Advisory Council (2022-2025)
Young Leaders Council (Class 45)
Memberships
Nashville Bar Association — President (2018); Young Lawyers Division, President (2014)
Nashville Bar Foundation — President (2024); Fellow (2015)
Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands — Board of Directors (2019-present); Campaign for Equity Justice, Chair (2019)
Maryville College — Board of Directors (2020-present)
Lawyers’ Association for Women, Marion Griffin Chapter
Harry Phillips American Inn of Court — Treasurer
Tennessee Bar Association — Leadership Law Program (Class of 2014)
Tennessee Bar Foundation — Fellow (2019)
Tennessee Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection — Chair (2020-2021)
Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel
Belmont University College of Law — Dean’s Advisory Council (2022-2025)
Young Leaders Council (Class 45)
Additional Experience
- Defended a North Carolina hospital system against breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act class action claims and secured a complete dismissal of all claims asserted against the client at the motion to dismiss stage.
- Represented providers and payors in provider/payor disputes ranging from US$17 million to US$240 million before state and federal courts and arbitration panels and including in an appeal to the Tennessee Supreme Court.
- Obtained a US$22.2 million jury verdict in federal court on behalf of the largest dental practice in Middle Tennessee against a national dental insurance company related to violations of the First Amendment.
- Represented a healthcare company in a 15-year False Claims Act case seeking damages of hundreds of millions of dollars based on alleged claims of false billing practices.
- Represented the nation’s largest private corrections company and local governments with respect to civil rights litigation, class action matters, commercial disputes, internal investigations, and professional liability defense.
- Represented national retail companies in intellectual property matters and specifically in matters involving claims of trade dress and trademark infringement.
- Represented a national retail company in a commercial dispute alleging breach of contract and business torts with respect to a US$400 million program for extended warranties on consumer electronics in the Delaware Chancery Court and in a subsequent arbitration.
- Represented a multinational consumer credit reporting company in Fair Credit Reporting Act matters.
- Represented national hospital companies and physician practice groups in professional liability matters as well as with respect to contract negotiations and internal investigations.
- Represented companies and individuals in a variety of business and commercial matters involving claims of breach of contract, interference with business relationships, misappropriation of trade secrets, procurement of breach of contract, product liability, and unfair competition.
Additional News & Insights
Publication
- “The World Trade Organization Slips Up: A Critique of the World Trade Organization’s Dispute Settlement Understanding Through the European Union Banana Dispute,” Tennessee Law Review, Vol. 69, 2002
Presentations
- “Federal Courts,” Nashville Bar Foundation Leadership Forum (February 2026)
- “Federal Courts,” Nashville Bar Foundation Leadership Forum (February 2024)
- “Federal Courts,” Nashville Bar Foundation Leadership Forum (January 2023)
- “How to Break-Up with Your Worst Client,” Lawyers’ Association for Women, Marion Griffin Chapter (February 2022)
- “Litigation Alternatives,” International Trademark Association Roundtable (June 2017)
- “Making the Most of Discovery: What You Don’t Know Can Come Back to Haunt You,” Tennessee Bar Association (April 2016, April 2015)
Accolades
Chambers USA — Litigation: General Commercial (2024-2025)
Benchmark Litigation — Future Star (2018, 2022-2023, 2026)
The Best Lawyers in America© — Commercial Litigation (2018-2026); Personal Injury Litigation: Defendants (2018-2026)
Lawdragon 500 — Leading Litigators in America (2022, 2024-2026)
Mid-South Super Lawyers (2018-2025); Rising Stars (2010-2017); Top 100 Lawyers in Tennessee (2022-2025); Top 50 Women Lawyers in the Southeast (2022-2025)
The Legal 500 United States — General Commercial Disputes, Recommended Lawyer (2023, 2025)
Nashville Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division — Impact Award (2025); Enterprise Award (2007)
Lawyers’ Association for Women, Marion Griffin Chapter — President’s Award (2024)
Nashville Business Journal — Best of the Bar (2016-2024)
Nashville Bar Association — President’s Award (2015, 2024)
Nashville Business Journal — Women of Influence (2023)
Nashville Post “In Charge” — Legal Sector (2022)
Nashville Business Journal — Top 40 Under 40 (2017)
The National Law Journal — Top Verdicts of 2016 ($22.2 million)
Legal Aid Society — Volunteer Lawyers Program Pro Bono Leadership Award (2014)
Maryville College — Kin Takahashi Award for Young Alumni (2006)
Accolades
Chambers USA — Litigation: General Commercial (2024-2025)
Benchmark Litigation — Future Star (2018, 2022-2023, 2026)
The Best Lawyers in America© — Commercial Litigation (2018-2026); Personal Injury Litigation: Defendants (2018-2026)
Lawdragon 500 — Leading Litigators in America (2022, 2024-2026)
Mid-South Super Lawyers (2018-2025); Rising Stars (2010-2017); Top 100 Lawyers in Tennessee (2022-2025); Top 50 Women Lawyers in the Southeast (2022-2025)
The Legal 500 United States — General Commercial Disputes, Recommended Lawyer (2023, 2025)
Nashville Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division — Impact Award (2025); Enterprise Award (2007)
Lawyers’ Association for Women, Marion Griffin Chapter — President’s Award (2024)
Nashville Business Journal — Best of the Bar (2016-2024)
Nashville Bar Association — President’s Award (2015, 2024)
Nashville Business Journal — Women of Influence (2023)
Nashville Post “In Charge” — Legal Sector (2022)
Nashville Business Journal — Top 40 Under 40 (2017)
The National Law Journal — Top Verdicts of 2016 ($22.2 million)
Legal Aid Society — Volunteer Lawyers Program Pro Bono Leadership Award (2014)
Maryville College — Kin Takahashi Award for Young Alumni (2006)
