Amanda Stevens, '15

How did you get into the Real Estate Lending industry? 

I worked in the commercial real estate finance industry before the Financial Crisis of 2008. With the industry in shambles, I went to law school. Upon graduation, I worked at a complex civil litigation law firm. After a few years, I realized that my heart was not in it and I was not meant to be a litigator. I realized I missed real estate and in 2017 the industry was making a comeback, so I co-founded Battle Born Capital, a commercial real estate finance and investment company. Now I get to combine my entrepreneurial spirit, my real estate and finance background, with my legal knowledge. The best of all worlds. 

What do you enjoy in your off hours?

I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, traveling, playing volleyball, and watching sports—especially the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
 
What community nonprofits are you involved with? 

I am the co-chair of the Clark County Bar Association's New Lawyer Committee. I went through Leadership Las Vegas in 2019 and continue to stay involved as I will be the co-chair of the 2020 Business Day. I am also the Secretary of the Boyd School of Law Alumni Association.  
 
You're involved in a lot - business, philanthropy, entrepreneurism. How do you keep everything balanced and organized?

While I won’t go as far as saying if you love what you do you will never work a day in your life; however, doing things you are interested in with people you like helps to keep things in balance. It also helps to have a supportive spouse and family.
 
I couldn’t make it through the day without...

Coke zero and candy. A hug and kiss from my husband and daughter is an added bonus.  
 
What is your elevator pitch for a recent Boyd Law graduate?

It is okay if you do not know exactly what you want to do after law school. There are so many things you can do with your law degree. Everyone in the Boyd legal community wants you to succeed and will be more than happy to talk to you about their practice area. If you are interested in an Boyd Alumni’s practice area just email them. (It always helps to add a little flattery in your email.)

Get involved in the legal community, you may think that you have nothing to offer or that you do not have any time; however, there are lots of ways to get involved and it is a great way find out more about the legal community. Take a case pro bono, volunteer to judge a moot court completion, join a committee, join the Alumni Chapter Board. You will be surprised how much you know and what a different you can make.