Erica provides in-house legal advice to the firm’s attorneys, management and staff regarding compliance with firm policy and procedures and the applicable rules of professional conduct, including those for conflicts, new business, and lateral hiring.  Erica works closely with the firm’s General Counsel and Ethics Committee to resolve conflicts of interest questions, to draft conflicts waivers and engagement letters, and to review client-requested terms.  Erica also assists the Chair of the firm’s Intake Committee and its other members to address due diligence and new business requests. 

Prior to joining the firm, Erica was the Assistant Executive Attorney for the District of Columbia Board on Professional Responsibility, where she helped draft the negotiated discipline rules found in Chapter 17 of the Board Rules for the District of Columbia Court of Appeals Board on Professional Responsibility.  Erica practiced law for five years as a litigator at Shaw Pittman Potts & Trowbridge LLP (now Pillsbury LLP). 

Before going to law school, Erica served as a United States of America Peace Corps Volunteer in Uzbekistan.  After law school, Erica worked for the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative in Armenia.  Erica is originally from Texas but has lived in Maryland since 2001 with her husband and three boys. 

Publication

“Islam in Uzbekistan:  Why Freedom of Religion is Fundamental for Peace and Stability in the Region.”  Journal of Arabic and Islamic Studies 2 (1998-99); 110-50; www.uib.no/jais/v002ht/simpson1.htm