Ericka Johnson

Practice Areas

Dispute Resolution And Litigation; Finance: Banking, Restructuring, Insolvency; Bankruptcy, Restructuring, And Creditors’ Rights; Commercial Disputes

Career

Ericka F. Johnson is the chair of the restructuring and reorganization practice at Bayard. She advises companies and creditors to maximize the value of assets/recoveries whether it is through an in-court or out-of-court financial restructuring or dissolution. Ericka also helps buyers navigate the purchase of distressed assets and directors and officers in understanding fiduciary duties in an insolvency setting. She is a top advocate with a diverse practice spanning a wide range of industries. Ericka has represented debtors in large and small chapter 11 and chapter 7 cases both inside and outside Delaware. She regularly litigates contested matters including involuntary bankruptcies, motions for the appointment of Chapter 11 trustees, claim objections, plan confirmation objections, and dismissal/conversion motions as well as bankruptcy adversary matters, including preference, fraudulent transfer, turnover, and breaches of contract and fiduciary duty actions.

Ericka is recognized for her proactive, practical approach when guiding clients, including debtors, creditors’ committees, trustees, and governmental units through the restructuring process.

Ericka formerly worked for a leading bank holding company where she managed consumer finance operations and internal risk assessments and audits from the US Office of the Comptroller of the currency. That experience gives Ericka a unique perspective when counseling clients to combine business strategies with bankruptcy solutions to achieve meaningful results.

Ericka is active in the legal community and holds leadership positions in various organizations including the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) where she currently serves as Director at Large on the Executive Committee and the International Women's Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC) where she is the Chair of the Delaware Network. Previously, Ericka served on the Education Committee as a board member of ABI and was also on the International Board for IWIRC. She is also active in the local community having previously volunteered for more than fifteen years as a coach for the Delaware High School Mock Trial program teaching high schoolers the intricacies of trial practice and procedure.

Ericka graduated from Delaware Law School (formerly Widener School of Law), where she was President of the Moot Court Honor Society, a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and member of the Delaware Journal of Corporate Law. While at Delaware Law School, she was awarded the Outstanding Service Award. Prior to law school, she attended the University of Delaware and was on the competitive Ballroom Dance Team.

Ericka is a published author and a frequent speaker on issues and developments in bankruptcy and insolvency law.

Professional Memberships

American Bankruptcy Institute

*Executive Committee Director-at-Large, 2024 - Present

*Board of Directors, 2020 - 2024

*Emerging Industries and Technology Committee, Co-Chair, 2017 – 2020

International Women's Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC)

*Delaware Chair, 2023 - Present

*IWIRC at the Shore Chair, 2022 - 2024

*International Board of Directors, 2018 - 2021

Delaware Bankruptcy American Inn of Court

Education