Amy Chai serves as associate general counsel and director of advocacy initiatives at ACC. In this role, she oversees ACC’s global advocacy efforts on issues of concern to the in-house legal profession, such as legal professional privilege and multi-jurisdictional practice. Prior to ACC, Chai held advocacy roles at the National Association of Home Builders and the US Chamber of Commerce.

With over 10 years of legal experience, I am currently driving forward the legal operations as the Deputy General Counsel at Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin. My core competencies include legal guidance, contract negotiation, and organizational governance for multiple entities. At Goodwill, my mission aligns with empowering our team of over 5500 employees, ensuring compliance, and fostering community trust through ethical legal practices. My work supports the organization's culture of integrity and dedication to service, bringing a diverse perspective and a commitment to excellence in the non-profit sector.

In my role, I have expanded the legal department, defining new roles, recruiting talents, and managing our budget effectively. My responsibilities encompass overseeing the governance of our extensive network, which includes more than 70 retail locations. My skills in analyzing, negotiating, and drafting a wide array of contracts have been critical in advancing Goodwill's interests, from procurement to marketing. This expertise, coupled with my experience in teaching International Law and Contract Drafting, equips me to mentor our team and strengthen our legal framework.

I am a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of King & Spalding, and a member of the firm’s national appellate and strategic counseling practice group. My practice focuses on appellate litigation and administrative law; on the preparation of high-risk cases for eventual appeal; and on strategic, complex litigation. I have significant experience handling administrative law cases, especially before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

I frequently collaborate with lawyers in King & Spalding's regulatory practices. I have handled appeals and complex litigation matters in courts across the country, including significant matters before the U.S. Supreme Court, almost all of the federal courts of appeals, and a variety of state appellate courts. I also have experience in a range of substantive areas, including energy, FDA/life sciences, health care, labor, products liability, international trade, environmental regulation, and bankruptcy.

I have been recognized by Chambers & Partners as “very effective at oral argument... very focused and clear.” Legal 500 has recommend me for my appellate expertise, with clients noting that my “ability to present complex technical and legal materials and arguments is a particular strength.” I have been selected as a Washington Super Lawyer and, in 2012, was recognized by Law 360 as a “rising star,” one of only five appellate lawyers nationwide chosen for this recognition. In 2014, I was identified by Reuters as one of the country's most successful Supreme Court practitioners.

King & Spalding's appellate group is recognized as one of the nation's top appellate practices. In 2015, we were selected by Legal 500 as the law firm of the year for our Supreme Court and Appellate practice. In 2013, we were selected by Law 360 as the practice group of the year.

Amy Upshaw is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of King & Spalding and a member of the firm’s Appellate, Constitutional, and Administrative Law practice group. Amy’s practice focuses on appeals, dispositive motions, and strategic counseling for businesses facing complex litigation.

Amy has served as a law clerk to Justice Clarence Thomas of the United States Supreme Court and to the Honorable Diane S. Sykes of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.  

Amy graduated with Honors from the University of Chicago Law School, where she served as Comments Editor for The University of Chicago Law Review.

As a seasoned administrative law and regulatory attorney, I currently specialize in advocating for the nation’s transportation construction industry within the federal rulemaking process. Drawing from extensive expertise in environmental law and policy, I ensure that federal regulations are balanced and reasoned, taking into account input from regulated industries. My objective is to champion regulatory measures that are reasonable, and conducive to the growth and sustainability of the transportation construction sector.

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