15-20 years

The Best Lawyers in America - Government Relations Practice (2025-2026)
Nashville Post "In Charge" - Government/Politics Sector (2021-2024)
Nashville Business Journal - Women of Influence (2019)
Commissioner - Nashville Transportation Licensing Commission (2024-2026)
Law Clerk to the Hon. Diane K. Vescovo, Magistrate Judge, Western District of Tennessee (2003-2004)
Tennessee Law Review - Research Editor
Order of the Coif
Phi Alpha Delta
John F. Schrankel Scholar

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.

6-10 years

George Peach Taylor Trial Advocacy Award

Mallorie Kerby represents clients before the Tennessee General Assembly and the various departments, agencies and commissions of state government. In this capacity, she works with clients to advocate for their business interests related to new legislation and policies within the state. Mallorie also advises clients on range of compliance, litigation, and regulatory issues related to state and federal environmental laws.

Prior to joining the firm, Mallorie was the Associate Vice President for Environment & Energy Affairs at the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry where she represented businesses and industry groups as a registered lobbyist before the Tennessee General Assembly and state regulators. She previously served as a Legislative Liaison at both the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and at the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. During law school, she served as an intern at the Federal Bureau of Investigation and for the Honorable L. Scott Coogler of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.

Eagle Scout

Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division - President's Special Recognition Award (2019)

Ross Smith advises clients before the Tennessee General Assembly and the various branches, departments, agencies and commissions of state government. In this role, he represents companies, organizations and associations related to regulatory issues and to advocate for their business interests within the state of Tennessee.

Prior to joining the firm, Ross was an attorney and lobbyist at Farrar Bates Berexa, LLP, where he created and executed state and local government affairs objectives on behalf of cities, professional associations, and private business groups. He also litigated matters related to municipal liability, civil rights, police liability, and governmental tort liability. After law school, Ross clerked for the Honorable Jimmy L. Croom in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Western District of Tennessee.

Ainsworth's practice focuses on Government Relations & Legislative Advocacy. He assists companies and employers across Louisiana and the U.S. by developing and communicating legislative priorities and regulatory policies that promote increased economic employment and business growth. His areas of focus include agriculture, energy, insurance, e-commerce/internet, financial institutions, manufacturing, and other industries.

ANDREW H. DOERR is an accomplished government affairs professional, bringing 20 years of lobbying, legislative and political experience to Dykema's Lansing office. At Dykema, he focuses on issues related to: energy, insurance, procurement, regulated industries, corrections, education, local government, nonprofit representation, the Liquor Control Code, licensing, gaming, taxation, procurement and matters dealing with the Department of State among others. He is experienced in review, analysis and drafting of proposed legislation and has testified before numerous House and Senate Committees.

Prior to joining the firm Mr. Doerr served as Deputy Legislative Director and Legislative Liaison for Secretary of State Ruth Johnson. In this role he served as a conduit to Secretary Johnson to both the legislature and the Governor's administration. He was responsible for the Secretary's legislative agenda, including legislative drafting, moving bills through the legislative process, and implementation. Andrew also spent eight years serving as Senator Alan Sanborn's (R-Macomb) Chief of Staff. Focusing on public policy related to the Senators role as Chairman of the Economic Development and Regulatory Reform Committee along with office and personnel management. During his time with Senator Sanborn he also helped manage numerous political campaigns.

Mr. Doerr came to Dykema with years of direct lobbying experience, having served as the Legislative and Political Director for the Michigan Credit Union League (MCUL). While there he oversaw the MCUL's legislative team and worked to promote legislation that benefited credit unions and their industry at both the state and federal level. He was also responsible for PAC fundraising, Grassroots coordination and member advocacy efforts.

20+ years

With decades worth of hands-on experience in Texas government and politics, Sabrina Brown offers valuable strategic counsel, as well as access to a vast network of key associates and decision-makers to a broad spectrum of clients.

Brown's extensive expertise in the state's legislative, regulatory, public affairs and appropriations arenas - combined with her strong bipartisan relationships - provides businesses and organizations with vital political and governmental guidance. Utilizing her many contacts within the Texas House and Senate, Executive Office and state agencies, Sabrina has effectively achieved the public policy goals of a wide variety of clients, from aeronautics giants to groundwater districts to Fortune 100 companies.

Prior to opening her own consulting firm, Sabrina was a highly successful lobbyist for an Austin-based law firm, and previously spent a half-dozen years at the Capitol working for the Texas House of Representatives. Her first-hand experience has given her a detailed familiarity with the legislative process and an in-depth understanding of state lawmakers' perspectives. With these insights, Sabrina creates effective messages and uses her firm's resources to efficiently communicate a client's position to busy legislators.

Brown earned her Masters in Public Affairs at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas, and her bachelor's degree at Texas A&M University.

Brown currently serves on the boards of Dell Children's Medical Center Foundation, West Austin Youth Association, Beyond Batten Disease Foundation, Friends of the Governor's Mansion, Texas Conference for Women, and the Seton Development Board.