Amanda Butler Schley

AMANDA BUTLER SCHLEY, ESQ.

Founding Partner, Business Law Group, Supreme Court Victor

TOP-RANKED BUSINESS LAWYER AMANDA BUTLER SCHLEY INSPIRES, SUPPORTS AND ENCOURAGES HER ENTREPRENEUR CLIENTS TO MAKE FEARLESS CHOICES—KNOWING THAT GREAT (BUT, EDUCATED) RISKS BRING GREAT REWARDS.

When business owner clients face an unavoidable legal problem like a huge tax assessment or a dispute with a partner, Amanda resolves the legal crisis… and then helps them position their companies for future success by taking a proactive legal approach.

Ranked as a Top Rated Business and Commercial Attorney, Amanda has more than a decade of experience representing boutique hotels, restaurateurs, family-owned businesses, breweries, artists, CEOs and entrepreneurs. In her almost 15 years of practice, she has become skilled at spotting legal issues and pitfalls at each stage of the business life cycle, from inception to rapid growth to successful exit. She nurtures and mentors her clients to succeed beyond their wildest dreams, resolving hundreds of complex legal issues along the way. 

Amanda has learned that when entrepreneurs take a proactive legal approach to their businesses, that's the “secret sauce to success” because they give their business legal leverage. When you regularly consult with a good business lawyer, you're armed with the knowledge you need to avoid disastrous consequences. Instead of spending thousands of dollars to fix a crisis as it's happening, you can avert the disaster with a small investment in legal advice on the front end. 

“A solid legal foundation makes your business impervious to outside forces looking to capitalize on your success,” Amanda says. “This principle is what I call legal leverage, and it's the secret that banks and large companies use to their advantage everyday.”

But legal leverage doesn't require spending a fortune on legal fees—it simply requires consistency. Meeting with your attorney monthly for as little as an hour is an invaluable tool for gaining legal leverage which is built over time, not overnight. Business Law Group's mission is to provide high quality, creative legal solutions for Louisiana's entrepreneurs. The team serves as a primary resource and partner in all aspects of their clients' business development from start up through the growth phase and beyond.

Early in her career as an attorney, Amanda worked for large, blue-chip law firms where she observed a strong disconnect between the attorneys and their business clients. These “traditional” firms gave costly business advice, but most, if not all, of the attorneys lacked any real entrepreneurial experience of their own. This lack of authenticity just didn't feel right to Amanda. A low-key thought started buzzing in her brain. “Just how do you inspire clients to take educated risks as an entrepreneur, if you've never taken an educated risk as an entrepreneur?”

The decision to start her own firm came after Amanda and her now-husband, Rob Schley, decided to do something “crazy”: They sold their respective homes in New Orleans, and bought and moved onto a 42-foot sailboat, which they named “Stay Foolish,” after the famous Steve Jobs quote: “Stay foolish, stay hungry.”

Amanda and Rob set sail and documented their whole incredible adventure aboard the Stay Foolish on their social media accounts. Since then, Amanda's leap of faith in her own life has helped her clients take educated risks and gain legal leverage: the key to long term success and happiness in their businesses.

In 2016 Amanda founded New Orleans-based Business Law Group, a boutique business services law firm in New Orleans, Louisiana. With a focus on representing restaurateurs, CEOs, entrepreneurs, artists and other creatives, Amanda's passion is helping her clients succeed and live their big dreams.

Now, after learning the business cycle and lessons through her own experience as a business owner and serial entrepreneur, Amanda offers invaluable and authentic insight to her clients. For Amanda, authenticity counts, and she wanted to be the kind of lawyer who has “been there and done that.”

Dubbed “The Entrepreneur's Lawyer,” Amanda's here for the scrappy new entrepreneurs and the veterans who want to move-and-shake things up once again.

Business Law Group proudly represents Louisiana entrepreneurs. Amanda and her team intimately understand their business clients because they're entrepreneurs themselvesbonded together by the common experience of building and designing the business and life of their dreams for themselves and their families. 

“Business Law Group dreams big and our legacy is to help others do the same,” Amanda says. “Together with our clients, Business Law Group is part of something bigger—we bring vitality and hope to Louisiana.”  

PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY, CREATIVE LEGAL SOLUTIONS FOR LOUISIANA'S SPIRITED ENTREPRENEURS, BUSINESS LAW GROUP HELPS YOU DO THE THINGS WILDLY SUCCESSFUL COMPANIES DO RIGHT.

Amanda recently detailed how she came to the practice law and her thoughts on managing a law firm on the Love Thy Lawyer Podcast with Louis Goodman. She also hosts her own YouTube Channel where she dissects the latest celebrity lawsuits to help you understand issues that may arise in your own business.

 

Recent Blog Posts

Recommendations

  • Employment Agreement Advice

    I'm a physician executive for a large national healthcare company. I had Amanda review my employment agreement in connection with a significant promotion. Amanda gave me a summary of the legal issues to consider in making my decision and provided me a set of responses to negotiate with my employe...
  • Business/contract matter

    5.0 stars Rapid, highly effective representation with excellent results. Would highly recommend February 24, 2020
  • Lease Review

    Amanda was incredibly supportive and easy to talk to! I sent my information on the form on their website and in minutes she answered me. I reached out to get a lease agreement reviewed and as a small business have a small budget. She understood that and was willing to work with me. I was nervous ...
  • Nondisclosure Agreement

    I want to thank you again for today. I know I paid you for your services, and this is what you do, but I felt heard and understood by you, and I felt that you cared, and that is important to me at this time.  You helped me feel empowered and safe.  Thank you, and I will hold on to your info if ...
  • Estate Planning

    Wonderful aid with my personal estate will and also debt negotiations.  Amanda really helped me-  we had results within a month!
  • Great job

    Business Law Group reviewed our restaurant lease, and negotiated terms that will protect our significant investment.
  • Lis Pendens Lien Removal

    I chose Amanda Butler over other attorneys because her profile on her website reflected her extensive experience. Amanda responded quickly with an accurate response to all my legal questions. I would highly recommend her.
  • Construction Contract Advice

    Amanda was accessible and very knowledgeable! Saved us from many headaches while protecting us along the way.   
  • Refinance Closing Attorney

    Amanda has assisted me with real estate transactions and advised on other business matters. She is an expert in her field and takes time to carefully explain the process. She is easy to work with and always advocates for her clients to the fullest extent. I would highly recommend her.
  • Business Start up

    Amanda Butler Schley sat down with me when I was developing the early parts of my company. She's relatable, sharp, and thorough. Clearly cares about her clients, community, and practice. Would recommend!
  • PPP Loan Advice

    Amanda is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to getting the desired result. She knows the law! She is extremely effective at getting the job done and very available when handling your case.
  • PPP Advice

    I hired Business Law Group to handle and advise me on my PPP Loan Application last week and I've already received my $1,000 SBA Loan Advance. Amanda did a fantastic job advising me on the process. Quick, easy, and handled with the utmost professionalism.
  • Highly Recommend Business Law Group

    I have worked with Amanda for nearly a decade, initially to assist with addressing a commercial lease issue with a landlord. Since then, she has grown to serve as our outside corporate counsel for several businesses and non-profit entities. In this role, she has helped us properly structure our r...
  • Construction Company

    If you are looking for an attorney that will always keep your best interest at mind, look no further. Amanda has represented my business for 3 years now and I can attest that her knowledge and her professionalism is second to none.
  • Best Lawyer Ever

    Thank you for all your heart felt words to get me through (this case). All your hard work and dedication studying my case and helping me achieve this victory, not only for me but for all women. Best lawyer ever. 
  • Very Dedicated and Always Available

    "I was referred to Amanda by a friend that is also a lawyer. At the time, I was having trouble collecting payments from a client. When my friend recommended Amanda, I trusted her judgement.    Amanda explained all the legal ways to fight and get back what I was owed. She did an excellent job co...
  • Great Team

    "I was searching for a lawyer to help remove my name from a house I purchased with my former partner. I chose Amanda because she was the only attorney who reached out to me and actually took the time to listen to my case.    Amanda helped provide all the information I needed to know about my si...

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