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Erica R. Townes
Associate
Back to All Professionals
Erica R. Townes
Associate
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Office

York, PA

Erica is an attorney in the Business and Real Estate practice groups. In her corporate practice, Erica represents businesses of all sizes and sophistication across a variety of industries. Erica’s practice ranges from assisting start-up companies with entity formation and governing documents, to routinely working with more seasoned companies on complex mergers and acquisitions, strategic corporate restructuring, and succession planning. She frequently works with privately held, closely held, and family-owned businesses, providing tailored legal counsel to address their unique challenges, particularly in governance, succession planning, and strategic growth. Erica also devotes a substantial portion of her practice to assisting clients in residential and commercial development, property acquisition, commercial lease negotiations, zoning, and land use concerns. In both facets, Erica focuses on the structure, negotiation, strategic planning, and execution of business and real estate transactions.

To complement her corporate law practice, Erica maintains an active nonprofit practice, advising tax-exempt organizations on formation, governance, and regulatory compliance. She serves on the board of and is involved with a number of local nonprofit and professional organizations, including the York County Bar Foundation Board of Directors, the Dauphin County Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, and the DreamWrights Center for Community Arts Board of Directors. Erica believes that effective legal representation requires a combination of strategic thinking, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of each client’s priorities. This approach allows her to provide clear, actionable advice tailored to the unique circumstances of every client. Additionally, Erica is committed to balancing a collaborative mindset with assertive advocacy, recognizing that the best outcomes often result from creative problem-solving rather than conflict.

When not practicing law, Erica’s firm responsibilities include serving as a member of the firm’s Hiring Committee, where she is involved in recruiting for the firm’s Summer Associate Program. Prior to joining Barley Snyder, Erica externed for the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania for the Hon. P. Kevin Brobson as a law student.

While not a performer herself, Erica is a musical theatre enthusiast and frequently patronizes New York City and central Pennsylvania theatre productions. Her favorite show running on Broadway is “Hamilton.”

Representative Matters:

  • Represented seller in the equity sale of national honey packing business and underlying real estate.
  • Represented seller in the stock sale of structural steel fabrication company.
  • Represented buyer in the asset sale of a regional snack company.
  • Represented seller in the asset sale of outdoor wireless network and communications company.
  • Represented the seller in the asset sale of a printing company.
  • Represented the seller in the asset sale of an insurance agency.
  • Represented the seller in the stock sale of a metalworking design and manufacturing company.
  • Represented the buyer in the acquisition of an electric company.
  • Represented the buyer in the acquisition of an auto core contracting business.
  • Represented the buyer in the purchase of a restaurant and its underlying real estate.
  • Represented a landlord in the negotiation of a commercial lease for a restaurant and bar in York County.
  • Represented a landlord in the negotiation of a commercial lease for a pizza restaurant in York County.
  • Represented a tenant in the commercial lease negotiation for a restaurant in downtown Harrisburg.
  • Represented applicants in securing a variance and special exception for a property in York City.
  • Represented applicants in securing special exceptions for short-term rental operations in various municipalities. 
  • Represented applicants in securing a special exception and variance for a wedding venue operation.
RECOGNITIONS
  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) (2024, 2025) Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2024, 2025)
  • Central Penn Business Journal “Legal Excellence Awards” — Up and Coming Lawyers
  • Order of the Barrister
MEMBERSHIPS
  • Herbert B. Cohen Chapter of the American Inns of Court
  • York County Bar Association
  • Dauphin County Bar Association
PUBLICATIONS
  • “Clarifying the Administration of Substance Abuse Policies”, Widener University Law Journal
  • “DOL’s Change of Course on Unpaid Interns”, Corporate Counsel Business Journal
PRESENTATIONS
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Real Property Annual Retreat — Annual Update on Pennsylvania Real Estate Case Law (August 2023)
  • “Remote Work Is Here to Stay… And Wage & Hour Update Too!” 40th Annual Employment Law Seminar
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Real Property Annual Retreat — Annual Update on Pennsylvania Real Estate Case Law (August 2022)
  • Pennsylvania Assocation of Sewage Enforcement Officers Conference — Overview of the Municipalities Planning Code and Right to Know Law (March 2022)
  • “Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Real Property Annual Retreat — Annual Update on Pennsylvania Real Estate Case Law” (August 2021)
  • Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry Human Resources Conference (November 2018)
  • 2017 Human Resource Association of Centre County Labor and Employment Seminar (October 2017)
Erica R. Townes
Education
  • Widener University Commonwealth School of Law, J.D., cum laude
  • Old Dominion University, B.S., cum laude
Admissions
  • Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania
Community Involvement
York County Bar Association

Board of Directors

DreamWrights Center for Community Arts

Board of Directors

Dauphin County Bar Association Young Lawyers Section

Social Chair

York County Bar Association Grants Committee

Member

Family First Health Human Resources Committee

Former Member

Community Progress Council

Former Board of Directors

Leadership York

2020 Graduate

Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Region 6, District 1 High School Mock Trial Competition

Former Coordinator (2017-18)

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