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 Vick Penley
Member
Nashville
Notice
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Erica Vick Penley
Member
Nashville
epenley@bassberry.com
https://www.bassberry.com/professionals/vick-penley-erica/
Memberships
Nashville Bar Association
Tennessee Bar Association
Lawyer’s Association for Women
Transportation Licensing Commission (2024-2026)
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)
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.
Memberships
Nashville Bar Association
Tennessee Bar Association
Lawyer’s Association for Women
Transportation Licensing Commission (2024-2026)
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)
Representative Experience
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or more than a decade, we have represented the interests of Brown-Forman. Some examples of our work include:
- Collaborated with a coalition to pass legislation allowing Tennesseans to buy wine and liquor on Sundays and certain holidays, culminating in the governor signing the bill into law.
- Promoted and successfully passed legislation that defines “Tennessee Whiskey” to benefit our client. This protected the traditional charcoal mellowing process and the associated name.
- Passed legislation clarifying that aged whiskey barrels are exempt from personal property taxes in Tennessee. This victory, achieved despite two negative Attorney General Opinions and opposition from county governments, resolved an attempt by an independent auditor to tax the barrels as personal property for the first time in 150 years.
- Partnered with the Department of Tourist Development to establish the Tennessee Whiskey Trail and passed a resolution declaring May 21 as International Tennessee Whiskey Day.
- Worked with a coalition to establish a two-year pilot program permitting the sale of cocktails to-go.
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Lobbied on behalf of American Petroleum Institute to ensure industrial energy infrastructure.
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In a heavily regulated industry, we represent Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC in monitoring bills, establishing connections within the Department of Agriculture...
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We successfully obtained a premier resort-type classification for a family farm that needed licensing flexibility with the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
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We successfully passed legislation to eliminate a pre-licensing course of study mandate for Tennesseeans sitting for the insurance producer license examination.
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We have had a history of success representing clients with various tax issues before the General Assembly and Department of Revenue.
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We have represented the association of vaping/e-cigarette retail stores with great success.
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Worked with the U.S. subsidiary of a supplier of nuclear analysis software to successfully oppose attempts to limit the disposal efforts related to the bulk survey for release for materials
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Counseled Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. in its three successful defenses against proxy contests initiated by Biglari Holdings Inc. and Sardar Biglari
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Represented a major distiller of Tennessee whiskey to promote and successfully pass legislation that defines “Tennessee Whiskey” to the benefit of our client
Representative Experience
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Publications
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November 6, 2024 | Firm Publication
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January 11, 2024 | Firm Publication
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August 30, 2023 | Firm Publication
Past Events
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June 20, 2023 | Nashville, TennesseeLawyers' Association for Women
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June 21, 2022 | Nashville, TennesseeLawyers' Association for Women
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June 15, 2021 | Nashville, Tennessee
Media Mentions & Firm News
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August 15, 2024 | Best Lawyers®
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July 25, 2024 | Metro Nashville Council, Governor Bill Lee
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March 27, 2024 | Nashville Post
Publications
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November 6, 2024 | Firm Publication
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January 11, 2024 | Firm Publication
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August 30, 2023 | Firm Publication
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August 21, 2023 | Firm Publication
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April 26, 2023 | Firm Publication
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January 13, 2023 | Firm Publication
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November 9, 2022 | Firm Publication
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August 30, 2022 | Firm Publication
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August 5, 2022 | Firm Publication
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June 29, 2022 | Firm Publication
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January 12, 2022 | Firm Publication
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November 2, 2021 | Firm Publication
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October 20, 2021 | Firm Publication
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July 28, 2021 | Cannabis Business Executive
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May 6, 2021 | Firm Publication
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January 15, 2021 | Firm Publication
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November 4, 2020 | Firm Publication
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August 13, 2020 | Firm Publication
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June 22, 2020 | Firm Publication
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June 12, 2020 | Firm Publication
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March 31, 2020 | Firm Publication
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March 20, 2020 | Firm Publication
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January 15, 2020 | Firm Publication
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August 23, 2019 | Firm Publication
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January 11, 2019 | Firm Publication
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November 20, 2018 | Firm Publication
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November 7, 2018 | Firm Publication
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August 3, 2018 | Firm Publication
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January 9, 2018 | Firm Publication
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October 18, 2017 | Firm Publication
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November 18, 2016 | Firm Publication
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November 9, 2016 | Firm Publication
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April 1, 2016 | Firm Publication
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June 9, 2015 | Government Contracts & International Trade Blog
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January 14, 2014
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January 6, 2014
Media Mentions & Firm News
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August 15, 2024 | Best Lawyers®
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July 25, 2024 | Metro Nashville Council, Governor Bill Lee
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March 27, 2024 | Nashville Post
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April 20, 2023 | Nashville Post
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April 22, 2022 | Nashville Post
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March 29, 2021 | Nashville Post
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October 4, 2019 | Nashville Business Journal
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March 6, 2019 | Nashville Business Journal
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November 8, 2018 | Firm Announcement
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January 23, 2018 | Personnel Announcement
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March 6, 2017
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September 18, 2015
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June 26, 2013
Accolades
The Best Lawyers in America© — Government Relations Practice (2025)
Nashville Post “In Charge” — Government/Politics Sector (2021-2024)
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
Accolades
The Best Lawyers in America© — Government Relations Practice (2025)
Nashville Post “In Charge” — Government/Politics Sector (2021-2024)
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
Related Services
Related Industries
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University of Tennessee College of Law - J.D., 2003
Order of the Coif
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University of Tennessee - B.A., 2000
summa cum laude
Education
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University of Tennessee College of Law - J.D., 2003
Order of the Coif
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University of Tennessee - B.A., 2000
summa cum laude
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Tennessee, 2003
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U.S. District Court, Middle District of Tennessee, 2006
Admissions
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Tennessee, 2003
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U.S. District Court, Middle District of Tennessee, 2006