Amy Blackwood joined Keller and Heckman in 2007. Ms. Blackwood is a member of Keller and Heckman's Litigation and Employment practices. She is actively involved in the firm's whistleblower claim defense practice where she represents employers in federal and state courts and administrative agencies, as well as assisting investigations, hearings and appeals of claims brought under the various federal whistleblower statutes. Ms. Blackwood represents employers in civil and criminal worksite enforcement cases and I-9 audits brought by the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division. Most recently, Ms. Blackwood obtained dismissal - on grounds of lack of subject matter jurisdiction –of the first whistleblower claim brought under the Consumer Products Safety Commission Improvement Act of 2008.
Ms. Blackwood's litigation practice focuses on commercial litigation and false advertising. She has argued in the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and has represented clients before numerous other state and federal courts. Recently, Ms. Blackwood and three of her colleagues obtained successful defense verdicts on behalf of a semi-conductor manufacturer on multiple causes of action, including breach of contract and lack of good faith and fair dealing. The verdicts followed a six-week jury trial in California State Court in which the plaintiff had sought almost $200 million in damages.
Ms. Blackwood is very active in the firm's pro bono program. In 2009 Ms. Blackwood, together with two partners at Keller and Heckman, successfully obtained expedited citizenship for an Irish Midshipman at the United States Naval Academy after the United States Customs and Immigration Service had refused to act on his citizenship application. The client is currently serving as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. President Barack Obama spoke at the graduation and personally congratulated the client on becoming a United States citizen.
While in law school, Ms. Blackwood volunteered for the North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program and served as a Case Manager for Duke Law School's Guantanamo Defense Clinic.