A civil litigation attorney who built her career on an appellate practice based on a love of writing
Amy Leone brings 30 years of experience in appellate and litigation work to her practice at ThompsonMcMullan, P.C. As an attorney with a passion for writing, when the opportunity to build up an appellate arm at her previous employer presented itself, Amy jumped on it. For the last eight years, she also ran the Virginia office of her former Maryland-based firm before making her move to Richmond.
With over 40 reported appellate cases, Amy brings a wealth of experience in appellate litigation, preparing briefs, and presenting oral arguments. Her practice also focuses on handling employment and insurance coverage disputes. Amy routinely drafts and argues complex motions in a variety of civil litigation suits pending in state and federal courts. In her employment practice, she advises employers on best practices, prepares employment handbooks and documents, and leads internal investigations into workplace discrimination, harassment, and related claims. Amy has represented employers in class action wage and hour litigation, as well as in administrative proceedings before the EEOC, NLRB, and similar state and local agencies. Her clients also include insurers and insureds, representing them in complex insurance coverage and bad faith litigation in state and federal courts and before administrative bodies.
Being a recent empty nester created an opportunity for a change in Amy’s career, and the role at ThompsonMcMullan brings her back to the place that fostered her interest in, and respect for, the law while earning her undergraduate degree at the University of Richmond. While there, Amy served as the president of Panhellenic Council, a role that allowed her to attend risk management conferences with legal counsel for the University, an experience that brought the law to life for her and impressed upon her its application to everyday experiences. In a full-circle moment, Amy recently encountered the University’s prior legal counsel in the courtroom where she was a practicing attorney, and he was serving as judge.
As an avid runner, having completed six marathons and a half Ironman, Amy is excited to explore, likely on-foot, all the ways in which Richmond has changed since her days on campus.
Practices
Civil Litigation
- Federal Courts and Local Counsel Practice
- Government, Public Official, and Municipal Liability Defense
- Insurance Coverage Disputes
- Property, Casualty, and Business Liability Defense
- State and Federal Appellate Practice
Labor and Employment
- Complex Employment Litigation
- EEOC and DOL Investigations, including Defending EEOC Charges of Discrimination
- Employment and Separation Agreements
- Human Resources Counseling and Training
- OSHA and VOSH Investigations
- Preparation of Employee Handbooks, Policies, and Service Agreements
- Restrictive Covenants, Breach of Contract, Trade Secrets, and Unfair Competition
Representative Experience
APPELLATE
- Maryland Indoor Play, LLC, et al. v. Snowden Investment, LLC, 339 A.3d 838 (Md. 2025), successfully petitioned Supreme Court of Maryland for review, briefed and argued appeal, and obtained reversal in favor of client, with court establishing proper measure of damage for breach of investor’s right to purchase membership interest in limited liability company and limiting application of specific performance as remedy.
- Mamaed v. Ev-Air-Tight, Shoemaker, Inc., 2025 Va. App. Unpub. LEXIS 529 (Record No. 0592-24-4), successfully obtained affirmance of jury verdict in favor of construction company, overcoming appellant’s challenge to underlying jury instructions.
- Jordan v. Elyassi’s Greenbelt Oral & Facial Surgery, P.C., 287 A.3d 663 (Md. App. 2022), successfully briefed and argued appeal, obtaining reversal for client on case of first impression regarding statutory interpretation of medical malpractice expert requirement.
- S&S Oil, Inc. v. Jackson, 53 A.3d 1125 (Md. 2012), successfully petitioned Supreme Court of Maryland for review and obtained reversal of appellate court’s decision, holding that erroneous verdict sheet required new jury trial.
- Bd. Of Educ. v. Horace Mann Ins. Co., 969 A.2d 305 (Md. 2009), successfully briefed and argued discretionary appeal to Supreme Court of Maryland, obtaining ruling confirming board of education’s obligation to reimburse insurer for defense provided to educator accused of assault.
- I.J.G., Inc. v. Penn-America Ins. Co., 803 A.2d 430 (D.C. 2002), successfully obtained ruling from D.C. Court of Appeals confirming application of assault and battery exclusion as a matter of law.
- Joswick v. Chesapeake Mobile Homes, Inc., 765 A.2d 90 (Md. 2001), successfully briefed and argued matter of first impression concerning applicable statute of limitations for express warranty under the Uniform Commercial Code.
LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
- Representing small to mid-size companies in employment counseling, document drafting, and EEOC and agency defense
- Representing insurers and insureds in complex insurance coverage and bad faith litigation in state and federal courts and administrative bodies
- Representing small to mid-size businesses in insurance coverage disputes
- Providing sexual harassment training seminars for businesses
- Representing employers in state and federal court in defense of wage/hour disputes, harassment, discrimination, and related claims
- Preparing employment handbooks, anti-discrimination policies, separation agreements, and non-compete agreements for employers
- Counseling and advising commercial clients navigating potential claims and litigation arising out of business and employment relationships
Education
- University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, J.D., with honors, 1995
- Associate Editor, The Business Lawyer Journal
- The Hon. Marvin J. Garbis, U.S. District Court of Maryland internship
- University of Richmond, B.A., Art History, cum laude, 1992
Admissions
- All District of Columbia Courts
- All Maryland Courts
- All Virginia courts including the Supreme Court of Virginia
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia
- U.S. District Court of Maryland
- U.S. District Court of Washington DC
- U.S. Supreme Court