Credentials
Education
- Northwestern University School of Law, J.D., 1987
- Illinois State University, B.S., summa cum laude, 1982
Bar Admissions
- Illinois, 1987
- District of Columbia, 1989
Court Admissions
- U.S. Supreme Court, 2013
- US Court of Appeals District of Columbia Circuit, 2004
- US Court of Appeals Eighth Circuit, 1997
- US Court of Appeals Fourth Circuit, 1992
- U.S. District Court, District of Maryland, 2000
- U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois, 1996
- U.S. District Court, District of Columbia, 1989
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 1987
Affiliations
- Member, American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section
- Member, District of Columbia Bar, Labor and Employment Section
- Chair, District of Columbia Bar Pro Bono Committee
- Board Member, Women’s Bar Association Foundation of the District of Columbia
- Member, Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia (served three-year elected term on Board of Directors)
- Board Member and General Counsel, Everybody Wins! DC (children’s literacy nonprofit organization)
Recognition
- Best Lawyers in America® – Employment Law: Management; Litigation: Labor and Employment (2023-2026)
- The Legal 500 US – Workplace and Employment Counseling, Recommended Lawyer (2024-2025)
- Super Lawyers – Employment Litigation; Employment & Labor (2012-2025)
Insights & Events
Speaking Engagements
Amy Bess and Michelle Olson to Participate in Panels at Workplace Accommodation and Leave Challenges 2025
November 13, 2025
Events
2025 DC Employment Roundtable
October 14, 2025
News
Amy Bess Recognized by Washington, DC’s Women’s Bar Association as a Star of the Bar
September 12, 2025
News
76 Vedder Price Attorneys Recognized in 2026 Best Lawyers® in America
August 21, 2025
Speaking Engagements
2025 New York Employment Roundtable
June 25, 2025
News
Vedder Price Practice Areas and Attorneys Recognized in The Legal 500 United States in 2025
June 11, 2025
Events
Vedder Works Employment Law Series Rosemont, IL 2025
May 15, 2025
Events
Vedder Works Employment Law Series Chicago, IL 2025
April 10, 2025
