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Erin Melton Shea

Associate

Phone: 901.333.8101
Fax: 901.577.1416
Email: eshea@raineykizer.com

Morgan Keegan Tower
50 N. Front Street, Suite 610
Memphis, Tennessee 38103


 

  

Ms. Erin Melton Shea is an Associate with the Memphis office of Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell, P.L.C., and has been associated with the Firm since receiving her Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphrey’s School of Law magna cum laude in 2004. Erin practices in the areas of tort and insurance defense with a focus on broad ranging liability defense and property damage claims, including arson and theft fraud litigation and defense of extra-contractual claims. Erin also handles insurance coverage issues and other disputes which arise before the institution of litigation.  In addition, Erin is frequently involved in the defense of real estate agents in cases triggering professional liability and errors and omissions claims. Erin is a member of the Firm’s Tort and Insurance Practice Group, practicing closely with Partner Russell E. Reviere. Erin is currently the Chair of the Firm’s Tort and Insurance Newsletter.
In 2009 and 2010, Law & Politics Mid-South Super Lawyersmagazine named Erin a "Rising Star" in her field. Erin is a member of the Memphis Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association, and the Defense Research Institute. In addition, she is active in the Young Lawyers Section for the Memphis Bar Association and served on the Board of Directors during 2007-2008 term. 
 
Erin’s representation experience includes:
  • Obtained complete defense verdict at jury trial for defendant driver accused of causing automobile accident.
  • Assisted as second chair in obtaining defense verdict in federal jury trial for insurer against a breach of contract claim arising out of the denial of payment for a fire loss based on defense of arson
  • Assisted in briefing and defeating motion in limine to exclude Origin & Cause expert from testifying at civil arson trial based on the standards enunciated in Daubert
  • Assisted in preventing plaintiff’s expert accountant from testifying at trial that insured did not have a motive to commit arson
  • Obtained summary judgment for real estate agent accused of violating duties owed to all parties in a real estate transaction in case where plaintiff purchasers’ authorized business partner received commissions and consulting fees and did not disclose the fees to partners. Plaintiff partners sued listing real estate agent alleging he had a responsibility to seek out and notify the undisclosed business partners of the fees and commissions.
  • Obtained summary judgment for real estate agent accused of misrepresenting facts and failing to disclose adverse facts in a real estate transaction
  • Assisted in briefing and obtaining summary judgment for insurer on claims of detrimental reliance, bad faith, violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, and punitive damages arising out of disagreement between insurer and its insured on the calculation of a large inventory loss due to fire.
  • Assisted as second chair in obtaining defense verdict for insurer in claim arising out of the denial of payment for a fire loss based on defense of arson and material misrepresentation on insurance application when the insured failed to disclose a prior fire loss.
  • Obtained summary judgment for insured homeowner who was sued for wrongful death when the insured homeowner’s handicapped adult daughter perished by smoke inhalation in a house fire while the insured was away from the home at work.
  • Assisted in briefing and obtaining summary judgment for insurance company against claims for statutory bad faith, common law fraud, and violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act which were included in an insured’s lawsuit against the insurance company for denial of payment for a fire loss.
  • Obtained dismissal for homeowner in a lawsuit filed by the plaintiff where plaintiff’s deceased committed a home burglary against homeowner and was killed by the homeowner during the robbery.
  • Assisted in obtaining dismissal of federal civil RICO claims pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) and 9(b) in favor of a law firm in case alleging legal malpractice, fraud, and a host of other claims
  • Obtained defense judgment at general sessions level for insurer in direct action brought by general contractor to collect costs of repairs made to insured’s home
Speaking:
  • Re-Thinking the Practice of Law: Strategies to Survive and Thrive, Panelist, Memphis Bar Association, Bench Bar & Boardroom Conference 2011
LawSchoolAchievements:
  • Received the Humphrey’s Fellowship Scholarship and served as research assistant for Professor Robert Banks, Jr., co-author of Tennessee Civil Procedure.  
  • Dean’s Award for Excellence/CALI Award in the Civil Procedure II, Torts II, and Family Law
  • Moot Court Board
  • Student Bar Association
Memberships and Associations:
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Memphis Bar Association, including Young Lawyers Division
  • TennesseeBar Association
Admissions:
  • Admitted 2004, Supreme Court of Tennessee
  • Admitted 2004, United States District Court of Tennessee, Western District
  • Admitted 2006,  United States District Court of Tennessee, Middle District
Cases:
  • In re Reciprocal of America (ROA) Sales Practices Litigation, 2006 WL 1879817 (W.D. Tenn. July 6, 2006), No. MDL 1551, Case No. 04-2078
  • Thompson v. State Farm Fire and Cas. Co., 548 F. Supp. 2d 588 (W.D. Tenn. May 1, 2008), No. 2:05-CV-2368
  • Thompson v. State Farm Fire and Cas. Co., 2008 WL 2943388 (W.D. Tenn. April 23, 2008), No. 2:05-CV-2368
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Community Service and Volunteer Work:
  • MemphisBar Association, Bench Bar CLE Co-Chair 2011
  • MemphisBar Association, Bench Bar Committee 2010-2011
  • Legal Lines for Justice, 2007 (Memphis Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division)
  • SCALES Project, 2007 (Supreme Court of Tennessee in association with Memphis Bar Association)
  • American Bar Association Book Program, 2007 (to benefit Downtown Elementary School)
 
 Certifications of Specialization are available to Tennessee lawyers in all areas of practice relating to or included in the areas of Civil Trial, Criminal Trial, Business Bankruptcy, Consumer Bankruptcy, Creditor’s Rights, Medical Malpractice, Legal Malpractice, Accounting Malpractice, Elder Law, and Estate Planning and Family Law. Listing of related or included practice areas herein does not constitute or imply a representation of certification of specialization.
 
Read an article by DRI about a defense verdict Ms. Shea obtained.  DRI - And The Defense Wins
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

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