We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Laura Bianchi a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Laura , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Looking back at the decisions you made early in your career, particularly whether to join a firm or start your own, do you feel you made the right choice for that stage of your career?

I didn’t originally set out to focus on cannabis law, but I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset and a desire to push boundaries. When Arizona passed its Medical Marijuana Act, I took advantage of the opportunity to work in a completely new and uncharted area of law, one that many attorneys avoided because of the state vs federal law conflict. I embraced the challenges and unknowns, and that decision ultimately set me on the path to where I am today.

Although I eventually left to start Bianchi & Brandt with my partner, Justin, I’m grateful for the experience I gained. It allowed me to think creatively, take risks, and build the skills that shaped me into the business owner and entrepreneur I am today. Founding Bianchi & Brandt was about doing things differently, doing them better. It wasn’t easy, but I have always been willing to work hard, make the necessary sacrifices, and carve my own path. Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Laura , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m one of the founding partners of Bianchi & Brandt, a full-scale business and litigation law firm with a focus on highly regulated industries, such as the cannabis industry. In my own practice, I work with public and private companies offering comprehensive guidance through every stage of development, from startup and operations to growth, expansion and exit. I customize outside general counsel and fractional executive services to address each client’s unique needs and challenges. I serve as an expert witness and support clients with out-of-court restructuring and related transactions. I also represent receivers in the receivership process, advising on asset protection, corporate restructuring, financial rehabilitation, lender protection, and corporate investigations, while providing essential hands-on support with day-to-day management, operations, and compliance, particularly within the cannabis industry.

What sets us apart is our commitment to our clients. We treat their business as our own, building long-term trusted relationships that allow them to focus on what they do best, while we anticipate risks, identify opportunities and navigate challenges on their behalf. We are more than legal advisors, we are strategic partners, crisis managers and trusted allies, providing not just legal solutions, but the support and foresight our clients highly value.

I’m most proud of the reputation we’ve built, not just among our clients, but within various industries and among our peers. Our firm is recognized for its integrity, strategic thinking, and commitment to excellence. We’ve worked hard to create a trusted name in complex and highly regulated industries, where credibility and expertise are everything. I also take great pride in the incredible team we have built. Our success is a direct reflection of the talent, dedication, and collaborative spirit of the professionals who make up our firm. We are constantly evolving, refining our approach, and expanding our knowledge, expertise, and skill sets so we can stay ahead of industry shifts and better serve our clients. We challenge ourselves to think bigger, work smarter, and deliver the highest level of service, ensuring that our clients always have a trusted partner in their corner, ready to navigate challenges and seize new opportunities.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

The key to leading a successful team is putting your people first. I’ve learned over the years, you can be right all the time, or you can be successful, but not both. As a business owner, that means making compromises that prioritize your team’s well-being and company culture. A mentor once told me, “Your people are your greatest investment and your greatest asset.” Too many business owners view hiring as just a cost, but quality organic growth requires a shift in mindset. Investing in your team through competitive compensation, professional development, mentorship, recognition, and a collaborative work environment creates a culture where people feel valued, motivated, and committed to success. When people are empowered with the right resources, opportunities, and leadership, they don’t just contribute, they thrive, driving the entire business forward. Managing people can be one of the biggest challenges of owning a business, but it’s also one of the most rewarding. Watching your team grow, develop new skills, and contribute to the company’s success makes all the effort worthwhile. There’s nothing more fulfilling than building a strong, motivated team and seeing the impact of great leadership in action.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe reputation is built through consistency, trust, and an unwavering commitment to your team, your clients and your craft. From the start, I’ve been focused on providing meticulous, forward-thinking counsel and advice, while staying true to who I am. My determination, resilience, and decision to view challenges as opportunities have been essential in shaping my reputation, not just as a professional, but as a person. I believe that trust is earned through reliability, integrity, and a deep commitment to helping clients succeed. For me, reputation isn’t just about knowledge and expertise; it’s about being someone people can rely on, time and time again.

I believe another key to shaping my reputation is the ability to have fun and form meaningful connections. Whether it’s spending time with my partners, team, clients, or colleagues, I truly enjoy building relationships and making work feel enjoyable. It’s not all business, it’s about creating moments that bring people together and having fun!