Meet Laura Bianchi

We had the good fortune of connecting with Laura Bianchi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Laura, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I have always had an entrepreneurial mindset, and owning my own business was a dream I was committed to making a reality. It was never a matter of “if” but simply a matter of “when.” So as our practice continued to grow and expand beyond Arizona—and even internationally— we saw our clients’ needs evolve as well. To keep pace and continue providing the advice and direction our clients (current and future) required, we quickly realized that meant rethinking our approach to business, adapting our services, and embracing new ways of working. So we made the leap and started Bianchi & Brandt. I can honestly say my worst day owning my own business is still unbelievably better than my best day working for someone else.

What should our readers know about your business?
My professional journey has been unconventional, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I always wanted to become a lawyer, but I didn’t enjoy school, so I explored other paths—lobbying, medical device sales, and even moving to Hawaii, where I learned to sail by working on a catamaran. Yet, none of these roles provided the satisfaction or passion I was seeking. Eventually, I returned to school and enrolled in law school. My path remained challenging. Less than a year after graduating and landing my dream job, the U.S. faced one of the biggest economic downturns since the Great Depression. However, these challenges forced me to learn to adapt, pivot, and view every difficulty as an opportunity for growth. This adaptability eventually led me to corporate law and to becoming one of the first attorneys in the emerging cannabis industry, starting with Arizona’s 2010 medical marijuana legislation. Since then, I’ve represented a wide range of clients, closed hundreds of millions in transactions, and worked on both national and international levels.

I have a drive to not just meet, but to exceed my goals, a determination that led to co-founding Bianchi & Brandt with Justin—one of my proudest career achievements. I’ve never taken “no” for an answer, never allowed obstacles to hold me back, and always celebrated those accomplishments I believe contribute to breaking the glass ceiling.

Given the complexities of my work, I’ve learned to remain calm and strategic, even in the face of chaos and uncertainty. I’ve also embraced change and flexibility, understanding that in this industry—and in life—nothing is set in stone. The best way forward is with purpose and again, a willingness to adjust and pivot when necessary.

At Bianchi & Brandt, we approach the attorney-client relationship in a unique, unconventional way. We’re down-to-earth professionals who prioritize the people behind the companies we advise. We’re not just lawyers—we’re strategic business advisors, combining practical advice, business strategy, and legal guidance to provide real world value to our clients and their businesses. We take a long-term view, supporting our clients’ growth, helping them alter the course when necessary, and navigate each hurdle in the most strategic and efficient way possible.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite thing about Arizona is the sunny weather. A perfect weekend for me includes a relaxing pool day with my favorite people, great Latin music, some intense exercise, perhaps a long walk, and a challenging crossword puzzle (not necessarily in that order, ha.) I also enjoy getting dressed up for a night out at Dominick’s or Toca Madera, sharing good wine, tequila, and music with fabulous friends. My favorite pastime is traveling the world and enjoying new adventures with family and friends, but ultimately, any time spent with the people I love is time I truly treasure.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My first shoutout is to Justin Brandt, my co-founding partner at Bianchi & Brandt. There’s no one else I would want to be on this crazy journey with. We began the firm because we wanted to provide legal and business services tailored to meet each client’s unique needs, challenges and preferences. We approach our business in a forward thinking manner, prioritizing efficiency, a sense of urgency and responsiveness – all things we have found to be a value add for our clients. I’m grateful for how well we work together, achieving more and more with each passing year.

I’d also like to shout out to my family. I come from a tight-knit Italian family, with supportive parents who purposely raised my sister and me to be confident, determined, and fearless women. They instilled in us the belief that there are no limits if you have the passion and are willing to work for it. With just the two of us, my sister has always been my best friend, my “ride or die.” I couldn’t do all that I do without the love, help, and support of my family.

Okay, last shout out! I will always be grateful to my high school teacher, Mr. Barnhardt, who also played a key role in shaping my life and career. While others saw a short attention span and lack of interest, he recognized my leadership potential and saw that I thrived in experiential learning environments. Mr. Barnhardt provided unique, nontraditional opportunities for me to learn and grow, sparking a curiosity and confidence that eventually became a passion for history, political science, and the law. His support marked the beginning of a journey that led me to a career I am incredibly proud of.

Website: bianchibrandt.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bianchibrandt/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bianchi-brandt/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BianchiBrandt/