RALEIGH, N.C. – Maynard Nexsen announces that Amy Richardson, a nationally recognized trial lawyer, legal educator, and one of the go-to defense attorneys for high-stakes government investigations, has joined its Raleigh office as a Shareholder. Richardson brings her courtroom-tested reputation to the firm's Complex & Commercial Litigation and Government Investigations & White Collar Defense teams, deepening Maynard Nexsen's ability to guide clients through their highest-stakes legal challenges.
Richardson represents clients in complex litigation matters across the United States, handling cases in federal and state courts as well as arbitration proceedings. Her experience includes class actions, multidistrict litigation, trial work, and matters involving the communications and technology industries. She has also successfully represented companies before federal and state regulatory agencies, the Department of Justice, and Offices of Inspector General, advising clients on regulatory compliance and government investigations.
“Amy is an exceptional litigator with a reputation that undoubtedly strengthens our litigation bench in North Carolina, Washington DC, and beyond,” said Tom Butler, Chair of Maynard Nexsen’s Litigation Section. “Her deep subject-matter knowledge and broad litigation experience make her an outstanding addition to the firm. Amy’s practice is highly complementary to our existing strengths, and her unique insight is of tremendous value to our clients.”
Richardson is also a nationally recognized attorney whose practice is rooted in legal ethics and professional responsibility matters, white-collar defense, and complex commercial litigation. She counsels and represents lawyers and law firms in disciplinary investigations, prosecutions, malpractice matters, high-stakes arbitration, shareholder admissions and departures, and law firm dissolutions. Throughout her distinguished career, she has appeared before multiple state bars, federal courts, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Office of Enrollment and Discipline, and the Department of Justice’s Office of Professional Responsibility. She also serves as an expert witness on legal ethics issues.
“I have known Amy for years, and she is one of the most respected government investigations and white collar defense attorneys in the country,” said Erica Barnes, Chair of Maynard Nexsen’s Government Investigations and White Collar Practice. “She adds to our already strong team in the Carolinas, and I could not be happier that she has chosen to practice at Maynard.”
Richardson is also a dedicated educator and thought leader in the legal profession. She serves as an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University Law Center and a Senior Lecturing Fellow at Duke University School of Law, where she teaches legal ethics and professional responsibility. She is a frequent speaker on ethics, litigation, and professional responsibility issues and has held numerous leadership positions within state and national legal organizations.
Richardson has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including Chambers USA Band 1 recognition for Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations in North Carolina, selection to Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite, Best Lawyers, and North Carolina Super Lawyers. In 2025, she was named among the Top 100 North Carolina Super Lawyers and the Top 50 Women North Carolina Super Lawyers, and she was recognized on North Carolina Lawyers Weekly’s Power List for Business Defense.
She earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Duke University School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts in Communications, summa cum laude, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.