Erin advises and represents companies, individuals and not-for-profit organizations in a variety of complex commercial litigation matters, with a focus on construction and contractual disputes.
Erin concentrates her practice in the area of civil litigation, with a focus on construction and commercial litigation matters, including breach of contract claims, payment disputes, lien foreclosures, delay claims and commercial torts. She also represents clients in government and internal investigations.
As part of her practice, Erin advises clients on e-discovery issues and regularly manages complex and high-volume document reviews. She has experience briefing and arguing appeals in both federal and state courts, including the New York Appellate Division, Fourth Department, New York Supreme Court, Western District of New York, and New Jersey Superior Court.
Erin frequently presents to various construction groups on a variety of topics including municipal contracts, the Prompt Payment Act, minority- and women-owned business enterprise requirements and evolving case law concerning industry-specific contractual terms and obligations.
Before practicing law, Erin taught physics and general science at a Greater New Orleans high school through the Teach for America program. Erin also previously served as a law clerk on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2021, 2024
City & State, Construction Power 100, 2023
Named Upstate New York Super Lawyers® Rising Star, 2020-2023
Named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America®
Honoree of the New York State Bar Association Empire State Counsel® Program for Pro Bono Work, 2017-2018, 2020, 2022
Education & Admissions
Education
University of Pennsylvania Law School, J.D., magna cum laude, 2013
Johns Hopkins University, B.S., 2008
Admitted to Practice
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
U.S. District Court, Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Districts of New York
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
Judicial Clerkship
Honorable Juan R. Sánchez, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 2013-2015
Experience
Representative Matters
Successfully defended general contractor against multimillion dollar claims asserted by subcontractor in two separate New Jersey state court proceedings, reaching a favorable settlement and avoiding Prompt Payment Act liability.
Represented behavioral health services not-for-profit organization in an Article 78 proceeding, successfully preventing the New York State Department of Health from improperly recouping payments related to mental health services.
Represented large not-for-profit in multiyear government investigation concerning the allocation of government funding for various projects, successfully avoiding millions of dollars in sanctions and fines.
Represented large general contractor in multistate and multijurisdictional litigation involving contract, tort and delay claims, successfully obtaining summary judgment on opponent’s trade secret claims.
Represented construction manager in dispute with former business partner concerning the transition of the management of several multimillion dollar projects.
Represented residential owners in dispute with former general contractor concerning claims arising out of a million-dollar renovation and new build project.
Represented large, provisional home care services company in malpractice claim against former attorney.
Presenter, “When the Government Knocks: Smart Strategies for Regulatory Responses,” Phillips Lytle and Niagara Frontier Corporate Counsel Association CLE, May 2025
Panelist, Girls in the Trades Day, Women in Construction Week, March 2024
Presenter, “Top 10 Necessary (and Unnecessary) Contract Terms,” Construction Exchange of Buffalo & WNY, Inc., May 2023
Co-Presenter, “No One Ever Thinks They are Going to Be Sued,” Phillips Lytle Breakfast Briefing Webinar, February 2023
Presenter, “Pay-If-Paid, Pay-When-Paid Construction Contract Clauses: Avoiding Nonpayment, Jurisdiction, and Other Key Issues,” Strafford, January 2023
Speaker, “Litigating Police & Prison Abuse Cases,” 4-Part Series, Phillips Lytle and Minority Bar of Western New York, October & November 2021
Presenter, “Whistleblowers at the Gates!,” Niagara Frontier Corporate Counsel Association CLE Event, June 2017
Activities & Professional Associations
Present Activities
Girl Scouts of Western New York, Board of Directors
Volunteer Lawyers Project, Volunteer
YMCA Buffalo Niagara, Board of Directors
Past Activities
Beyond Dispute (Phillips Lytle’s Business Litigation newsletter), Editor
Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania, Mentor, 2014-2015
Niagara SPCA, Board of Directors
Temple University, Introduction to Business Law, Teaching Assistant, 2014-2015
University of Pennsylvania Law Review, Online Executive Editor
Co-Author, “If a Construction Dispute Arises, Should You Arbitrate or Litigate?” Building the Southern Tier, June 2025
Author, “The Risks and Rewards of Drone Use in Construction Projects,” The Daily Record, September 2023
Author, “Pay-When-Paid Provisions Still Unenforceable in New York State,” National Law Review, October 2022
Author, “Limiting Legal Exposure in the Construction Industry,” Beyond Dispute, Phillips Lytle Commercial Litigation Newsletter, June 2021
Co-Author, “The Employer’s Duty to Preserve Employee Cellular Phone Data,” Beyond Dispute, Phillips Lytle Commercial Litigation Newsletter, February 2019
Co-Author “White Collar Corner: Hold the Phone: The Duty to Preserve Cellular Phone Data,” The Daily Record, November 2017
Co-Author “White Collar Corner: The Yates Memo: One Year Later,” The Daily Record, August 2016
Co-Author “White Collar Corner: Reasonable Interpretation vs. Knowing Lie – How Tax Fraud is Enforced as a False Claim in New York,” The Daily Record, December 2015
Publications
Co-Author, “US Regional Real Estate – New York,” Chambers Global Practice Guide, June 2025
Co-Author, “US Regional Real Estate – New York,” Chambers Global Practice Guide, June 2024
Co-Author, “US Regional Real Estate – New York,” Chambers Global Practice Guide, May 2023
Co-Author, “US Regional Real Estate – New York,” Chambers Global Practice Guide, June 2022
Co-Author, “US Regional Real Estate – New York,” Chambers Global Practice Guide, May 2021
Co-Author, “US Regional Real Estate – New York,” Chambers Global Practice Guide, May 2020
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