Amy E. Richardson

Recognized by Chambers USA as one of the top litigators in North Carolina, Amy Richardson is managing partner of HWG’s Raleigh office and as Chair of the firm’s Legal Ethics and Malpractice group. Amy’s practice focuses on legal ethics and professional responsibility matters, white collar defense and complex commercial litigation.

“Amy is brilliant at what she does, and adept at guiding clients through what are often unwelcome proceedings. She has a great combination of knowledge and grace.” – Chambers USA 2022

Legal Ethics and Malpractice. Amy counsels and represents lawyers and law firms in disciplinary investigations and prosecutions and malpractice matters. Her disciplinary experience includes matters before multiple state bars, the USPTO’s Office of Enrollment and Discipline (OED) and the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). Amy has represented individual lawyers and law firm in high stakes arbitrations related to partner departures. She also counsels and advises lawyers and law firms in partner admissions and departures, and law firm dissolutions. Amy teaches legal ethics and professional responsibility at Duke University School of Law and Georgetown University Law Center.

Complex Civil Litigation. Amy handles complex civil cases in federal court, state court, and in arbitration proceedings throughout the United States. She has been involved in several high profile matters. Amy also works closely with the firm’s telecom practice in cases involving the communications-technology industry, including Telephone Consumer Protection Act, intercarrier compensation and access fee disputes. Her recent experience as lead counsel includes:

• Obtaining Motion to Dismiss with Prejudice in federal court TCPA action with potential liability of over $50 million dollars.
• Grant of Motion to Compel Arbitration in alleged class action against multi-national corporation where arbitration clause required individual resolution.
• Serving as lead counsel in a multidistrict litigation involving possibility liability over $250 million dollars.

Regulatory Compliance and White Collar Criminal Defense. Amy has successfully represented companies before federal and state regulatory agencies and Offices of Inspector General. Her extensive white-collar criminal defense experience includes preparing clients for grand jury appearances and trial work. At the conclusion of the two-month trial, the defendant was found not guilty. Amy also assists clients in identifying, complying with and discovering noncompliance with complex and evolving federal regulatory requirements.

Amy has been recognized by multiple publications for excellence, receiving top rankings for North Carolina litigators in Chambers USA, Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and Business North Carolina’s “Legal Elite.” She is a frequent speaker and leader on ethics and litigation issues. Amy has served as an advisory member of the North Carolina State Bar Ethics committee and as the current Vice Chair of the North Carolina State Bar Client Security Fund. She is the Immediate Past Chair of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Litigation Council. Amy is also a member of Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC), Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers (APRL) and DRI.

Prior to entering private practice, Ms. Richardson served a judicial clerkship for the Honorable. N. Carlton Tilley, Middle District of North Carolina. Ms. Richardson received her J.D., cum laude, from Duke University School of Law, and her B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of North Carolina.