Erica Vick Penley is practice leader of the firm’s Government Advocacy & Public Policy Practice Group. She has worked on multiple landmark public policy initiatives, including enactment of the Civil Justice Act of 2011, the Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Act of 2017, the repeal of Tennessee’s gift and inheritance taxes, and passage of a constitutional amendment resolution regarding judicial selection. Erica is legislative counsel to a number of businesses and trade associations and is a registered lobbyist with extensive experience representing the interests of financial institutions, healthcare providers, utilities, energy sector, pharmaceutical industry, medical cannabis, nuclear industry services, higher education, agricultural services, and distilled spirits before the Tennessee General Assembly and Executive Branch.

Erica’s practice includes:

• Government Advocacy & Public Affairs – Representing clients concerning new legislation, legal definitions and restrictions, business tax exemptions, rule-making proceedings, public-private partnerships, the needs of entrepreneurs and small businesses, taxpayer-funded grants, elected representative awareness; participates in various administrative rule-making proceedings and appears before state agencies and commissions; manages and coordinates fundraising and campaign contributions for clients and the firm’s political action committee.
• Business Disputes – Representing companies in an assortment of cases involving breach of contract, defects in title, employment disputes, fraud and misrepresentation, violations of fiduciary duty, and other business torts.
• Utilities – Representing and advising electric cooperatives and other utilities in high-profile government relations matters.

With extensive knowledge of Tennessee campaign finance law, Erica co-authored the Tennessee chapter of the Thomson/West Lobbying, PACs and Campaign Finance: 50 State Handbook. She has represented several pro bono clients in cases involving landlord-tenant disputes, consumer fraud, and general legal matters.

Memberships

Nashville Bar Association

Tennessee Bar Association

Lawyer’s Association for Women

Tennessee Lobbyists Association — Board of Directors (2014-2016)

American Health Law Association (AHLA)

Junior League of Nashville — Advocacy and Public Awareness Chair; Board of Directors (2012-2013)

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee – Board of Directors (2019-present)

Accolades

Nashville Post  “In Charge” — Government/Politics Sector (2021-2023)

Nashville Business Journal — Women of Influence (2019)

Law Clerk to the Hon. Diane K. Vescovo, Magistrate Judge, Western District of Tennessee (2003-2004)

Tennessee Law Review — Research Editor

Phi Alpha Delta

John F. Schrankel Scholar