Erica L. Fields, Esq.

Erica Fields is the newly elected Secretary of WLIB. She brings energy and enthusiasm to this position. I highly encourage you to connect with her at WLIB events (or any other events), as she has a wide variety of interests including playing the game, “Call of Duty”, which helps relieve stress in an entertaining manner. She is also a huge fan of the Marvel Universe. She gave high marks to the new Marvel release of Deadpool & Wolverine. We shared some interesting discussions about Hugh Jackman (who plays Wolverine) and his many talents, such as starring on Broadway in The Music Man.

Erica grew up hearing about the law. Her mother Lynn D. Feldman, is a retired attorney. Many of you may have joined the seminar they co-presented on the Sovereign Citizens. Erica’s father was the Head Constable in the Civil Courts in Bergen County. She proudly recalls how he was the only non-attorney on the Civil Part rules committee as his position required him to know all of the rules. This background led her into the law.

Erica is a graduate of Rutgers College, Rutgers University and obtained her Masters in Criminal Justice at Boston University. She received her Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall University School of Law. Her career has been varied. She started in Central Jersey Legal Services handling matrimonial matters. She noted many of those cases were Domestic Violence matters. Erica credits that experience with giving her insight into parenting in situations where there is divorce.

She then went on to work at the Community Health Law Project in Bloomfield, New Jersey, where she represented individuals with medical and mental disabilities. These included a wide variety of legal areas including housing, small claims, family law and unemployment. Erica’s next stop was at Pressler and Pressler researching and ensuring compliance with collection laws on both the state and federal level. She then joined the litigation firm of Tenaglia and Hunt, where she handled a large litigation case load.

Erica is currently working as an insurance defense attorney. She works at the firm of Eric H. Bennett, where she represents GEICO. I did inquire if they provide the GEICO lizard items to her and she recounted the story of her job interview wherein they provided chocolate in the shape of the GEICO lizard. Erica is a seasoned trial attorney and has several upcoming trials. Like many litigation attorneys, the trials were delayed during the pandemic and the courts are now catching up.

We discussed the benefits of WLIB membership and Erica indicated one of the strongest benefits is the socialization with other women attorneys. She recalled conversation she had with Tamra Katcher wherein Tamra discussed we are attorneys but women first and there are certain things we need to be mindful about, including, child care and family needs. Erica happily recalled being able to bring her son to an event she would otherwise have missed because of child care issues. WLIB recognizes the balance that takes place and Erica was able to bring her son without feeling uncomfortable.

Erica brings a lively take on issues and life and we wish her well as she assumes her mantle of Secretary of WLIB.