Erica is an accomplished trial and appellate lawyer with a reputation for achieving exceptional results, from reversals of dismissals on appeal and multimillion-dollar settlements for plaintiffs to complete dismissals for defendants. Lauded by clients as a fierce advocate and trusted ally, she resolves painful disputes and pursues outcomes that restore normalcy when livelihoods and reputations are at stake.
For clients entangled in sensitive, emotionally charged legal dilemmas, Erica serves as a voice of reason, an empathetic ear, and a dedicated advocate. She has extensive experience handling complex commercial disputes – particularly those involving business breakups, investor conflicts, employment matters, and defamation/disparagement – as well as securities litigation, internal investigations, and government inquiries and enforcement proceedings. Her client roster spans a wide range of industries, including tech, media and public relations, real estate, hospitality, health care, and finance.
A veteran First Amendment lawyer, Erica litigates defamation claims on behalf of companies, business leaders, and other high-profile members of the community. Whether counseling clients in the early stage of a potential dispute, guiding them through government and regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings, or waging a vigorous battle in the courtroom, she engineers pragmatic solutions that minimize risk, disruption, and liability.
Facilitating equal access to justice is a priority for Erica. She devotes substantial time to pro bono work, advocating for victims of domestic violence, political and religious refugees, undocumented minors, and victims of police misconduct. She is also an active member of the Federal Bar Council and regularly leads programming and events for the organization, including CLE programming on blockchain technology and privacy rights.
Before joining Sher Tremonte, Erica was an associate at Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP. In this role, she represented large financial institutions, technology companies, hospitality companies, and pharmaceutical companies, among others, across a variety of practice areas, including commercial, securities, First Amendment, bankruptcy, and real estate litigation as well as civil government investigations. Previously, she worked as a paralegal for the New York County District Attorney’s Office, where she assisted in trial preparation and grand jury investigations for the Labor Racketeering Unit.
Read moreExperience
Righting wrongs with a multimillion-dollar judgment: Obtained a $13.7 million judgment following an evidentiary hearing in a contested inquest on behalf of a health insurance organization defrauded by a health care provider.
A rare reversal on appeal in the Appellate Division: Successfully argued an appeal to obtain a reversal from the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division, First Department, for her client, an investment advisory firm focused on sustainable development, in a dispute over fees owed in connection with the acquisition of an international chain of luxury resorts.
Defending a corporate officer against charges of securities fraud: Obtained a non-prosecution agreement for and avoided SEC charges against an officer of a blockchain company investigated for securities fraud in connection with an Initial Coin Offering that raised tens of millions of dollars.
Protecting free speech rights: Won the dismissal of a defamation lawsuit for a social media firm and its principal, successfully arguing that her client’s statements on an internet comment thread constituted non-actionable, protected speech under the First Amendment and the New York State Constitution.
Acting fast to resolve a civil rights case: Represented a victim of excessive force by a police officer in a federal action, getting the case trial-ready in an extremely short time period after being appointed by the court to act as trial counsel, and then obtaining a favorable settlement on the eve of jury selection.
Defending a real estate developer against claims for a seven-figure commission: Won the complete dismissal of an action in the Commercial Division of New York Supreme Court, successfully arguing that her client, the purchaser of a $140 million residential apartment building in Manhattan, could not be held liable for a commission purportedly promised to the plaintiff real estate broker by the principals of her client’s predecessor in interest.
Clearing a board chairman from liability against investor losses: Obtained the complete dismissal of a securities fraud suit against her client, the former chairman of the board of a startup, arguing that the chairman could not be held liable for the loss of plaintiffs’ $1 million investment purportedly caused by alleged misrepresentations made by the company’s CEO, because, among other things, the complaint failed to adequately allege that the alleged misrepresentations actually caused plaintiffs’ losses.
Recognitions
Selected to the Rising Stars and Top Women Attorneys lists, Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers (2016-present)
Recognized in Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America: Complex Commercial Litigation, Employment, and Defamation (2025)
Sanctuary for Families, Above & Beyond Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Advocacy (2014)
Legal Aid Society, Pro Bono Publico Award (2011)
Affiliations
Federal Bar Council