Louisiana Fractional General Counsel

LEGAL STRATEGY FOR NEW ORLEANS BUSINESSES READY TO SCALE

Your business has outgrown handshake deals and DIY contracts. We help you build the legal foundation to match where you're headed.

  • Counsel built for businesses between $750K and $5M

  • Boutique firm — no big-firm overhead or runaround

  • Deep roots in hospitality, creative, and service industries

  • Prevention-focused — we stop legal problems before they cost you

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YOUR BUSINESS HAS OUTGROWN LEGAL GUESSWORK

At Business Law Group, we work with established Louisiana business owners who are scaling — not starting. Our focus is prevention: building the legal infrastructure that keeps costly problems from derailing the growth you've worked hard to earn. When a crisis does arise, we're in your corner. What sets us apart is that we work as a true advisor to your business, not just a vendor you call in emergencies — because at this stage, the right legal counsel protects everything you've built.

BUILT FOR BUSINESSES THAT ARE ALREADY GROWING

Running a hospitality group or creative business at real scale means the legal stakes are higher — and the gaps are more expensive. We work with owners who've outgrown generic advice and need a firm that understands their industry, their contracts, and what it actually takes to protect what they've built. Think of us less as your lawyer and more as the legal infrastructure your business has been missing.

We'll help you:

  • Structure your ownership and equity so your business is protected — not just profitable

  • Put employment agreements and HR policies in place before a hiring problem becomes a legal one

  • Review and negotiate the contracts that govern your vendor, supplier, and client relationships

  • Navigate licensing, zoning, and lease agreements for new locations or expansions

  • Protect your brand, creative work, and proprietary systems with the right IP strategy

  • Resolve disputes quickly and strategically, without derailing your operations

  • Position your business for a future sale, acquisition, or franchise opportunity.

WHO WE ARE

 Business Law Group is a boutique business law firm in New Orleans, and we work selectively — with owners who understand the value of having a trusted legal advisor in their corner, without the overhead of in-house counsel. Our attorneys bring real business experience alongside their legal expertise, which means we advise the way an operator thinks, not just the way a lawyer does. Amanda Butler Schley has been recognized by Super Lawyers (2022–2025), Best Lawyers in America, and New Orleans Magazine's Top Lawyers — recognition that reflects the depth of work we do for clients, not just credentials on a wall. Megan Kelley brings deep litigation experience to the team, having represented clients on both the plaintiff and defense side — which means when a dispute arises, she understands exactly how the other side thinks.

AWARDS

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: I already have a general business attorney. Why would I need someone who specializes in my industry?
General business attorneys are fine for general problems. But when you run a restaurant group, a creative agency, or a bar, the legal issues are specific: liquor licenses, entertainment contracts, tip-pool policies, vendor relationships, lease negotiations. We know those issues cold — less time explaining context, more time getting to the right answer.

Q: At what point does it make sense to bring in outside legal counsel?
If you're generating consistent revenue, have employees, sign contracts regularly, or are planning to expand — you're past the point where DIY legal is serving you. The cost of a solid legal foundation is almost always less than the cost of fixing a problem that could have been avoided.

Q: How do you typically work with clients — ongoing or project by project?
It depends on what you need. Some clients come to us for a specific matter and we handle it and wrap up. Others retain us on an ongoing basis as their go-to legal resource. We work selectively, so when you're a client, you get real access — not a call center.

Q: We're thinking about opening a second location. What legal pieces do we need?
More than most people expect, and sooner than you think. A new location typically means a new lease, updated operating agreements, additional licensing and zoning approvals, employment agreements for new hires, and potentially a new entity structure. The earlier we're involved, the fewer surprises on the other side of signing.

Q: Do you bill by the hour or offer flat fees?
Both, depending on scope. Flat fees work well for defined projects like contract drafting, business formation, and trademark filings — you know the cost upfront. For complex or ongoing matters, we bill hourly. We're straightforward about pricing from the first conversation, so there are no surprises.

 

Testimonials

Hospitality Industry Client

Amanda is doing a wonderful job getting us through a situation. She genuinely cares about her clients!

Linh Garza, Dong Phuong Bakery
Retail Industry

Amanda and Megan are my go to team for commercial lease reviews. They make sure the terms are favorable and are great negotiators. We enjoy working with them.

Farid Saleh, Hair Galleria, Hair Depot and Hair Kingdom
NonProfit

Amanda and the team at the Business Law Group are truly exceptional! From our very first interaction, she demonstrated professionalism, expertise, and genuine care for our complex situation...

Brian Claus, Unbound Now

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Who We Are

Business Law Group is a boutique business services law firm in New Orleans, Louisiana. Our focus is on understanding the legal pitfalls of your business and industry, as well as the secrets to maximizing your legal leverage at every opportunity and in every negotiation. We work selectively with clients that aren't ready for the overhead expense of an in-house general counsel, but understand the advantages of having a trusted legal advisor on their team. Amanda Butler has been ranked as a Louisiana SuperLawyer, New Orleans Top Lawyer, Best Lawyers, and in Leaders of Law.

Awards