Meet Amanda Boylan | Criminal Defense Attorney & Pilates Instructor

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

Hi Amanda, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands: one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” -Audrey Hepburn. This quote is one that speaks to my soul and resonates with me on both a personal and professional level. I firmly believe that we were not meant to walk this world alone and that, at some point in our lives, we all need a helping hand. Truth be told, I wouldn’t be where I am today without some key people helping me along the way. It only feels right to make sure that I pay it forward when I can. The desire to help others is what kept me in public service for so long. Even though I’m in private practice now, I still find ways to mentor, volunteer, and generally give back when I can. I know the value of a good mentor and a little inspiration. I want to make sure that others are able to have those same opportunities to succeed. A legacy should not be built on fame and fortune, but rather the impact you have on the lives of others. I hope that at the end of the day, I am remembered for always being willing to extend that extra hand.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When it comes to my career, the thing that I’m most proud of is my work-life balance. I always knew that whatever I did, I didn’t want my career to be the only thing that defined me. Yes, I am a lawyer, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. However, I also have the opportunity to explore so many other areas as well. I’ve always loved volunteering, working out, and the law. It’s taken me a few years but I’ve finally started to find that perfect balance between all three. The one thing that ties all of those together is that they allow me to help others, an overarching theme in my life. I was sold on criminal law almost right away because of the ability to make a difference in the lives of others and the lives of the community. I started in prosecution until I realized that I could make more of an impact on the defense side. In some cases, I may be the first person who has sat down and shown a real interest in my client’s story. I try to remember that when I’m meeting with new clients, that I’m giving a voice to those who otherwise may be voiceless. When I’m not fighting for my clients, I’m teaching pilates. Fitness, for me, has always been a great way to relieve whatever stress I may have and take a little mental break. When I’m teaching, I’m able to give that break to someone else. The clients that come into the studio get an hour break to just completely focus on themselves and their bodies. It’s extremely rewarding to watch them working hard and enjoying themselves. I also love volunteering just to volunteer, especially with children. In the criminal world, you see the kind of effect that your childhood has on your adult life. I’m currently a volunteer at Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital and if it weren’t for coronavirus, it’s generally how I like to spend a Monday night. We spend time with the kids who are there for surgery and are usually in the hospital for weeks or months at a time. It’s not the easiest thing for a kid or family to go through and we’re there to give the kids a chance to forget that they’re in a hospital and just be kids for a few hours. It’s so much fun for me as well, I mean who doesn’t want a one-hour coloring break during their week? I’m so grateful for all of these little opportunities to explore different sides of myself and I love that they can all be tied back to making my community a little better, one person at a time. At the end of the day, I just want to make sure I left the world a little better than I found it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m from Lakewood so a walk around White Rock Lake is a must. The Old Monk and HG Supply for a good happy hour patio. I’m a big fan of the smoky old fashioned and charcuterie board at Armoury D.E. For more of a casual dinner, pizza at Cane Rosso. For something a little more elegant, St. Martin’s Wine Bistro for their champagne brie soup and a glass of wine. I also love La La Land Kind Cafe for a latte and their gigantic chocolate chip cookies (and they have a great mission too!)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, I have to dedicate my shoutout to my family. My parents (Patrick and Kristi) and my two brothers (Brandan and Darius) are my entire world. They’re the ones who’ve always encouraged me to pursue my passions. They’ve been there for all of the ups and downs and believed in me even when I wasn’t so sure I believed in myself. They also serve as constant inspiration and each one has qualities that I try to embody daily: My dad’s tenacity, my mom’s kindness, Brandan’s ambition, and Darius’s serenity. To say I wouldn’t be the woman I am today without them would be an understatement. I also wouldn’t be where I am in my career today without my boss Taly Haffar and his wonderful wife Erin Hendricks. My entire career could actually probably be traced back to him. I interned with Taly in law school and he helped me discover my love of criminal law almost a decade ago. He and Erin also gave me that little extra encouragement I needed to make the leap to private practice and have been nothing short of supportive ever since. Not only have they helped me to become a better lawyer, but they’ve helped me become a better businesswoman as well. They’re also two of the most generous people I’ve ever met and they’re always finding new ways to give back to their community. Lastly, I have to shoutout Elizabeth Lindberg and the Studio 6 Fitness team. Elizabeth is a boss babe in her own right and has built a fantastic organization full of talented individuals. It has always been a goal of mine to become a fitness instructor and they made that goal a reality (even in the midst of COVID-19). I’m naturally fairly shy and reserved, especially when it comes to public speaking (yes, even as a lawyer) and they definitely helped me come out of my shell. I’m also something of a perfectionist and through them, I’ve learned to go with the flow more in a lot of ways, not sweat the small stuff as much, and to think quickly on my feet. They bring just the right balance to my otherwise Type A personality.

Website: www.haffarlaw.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aab52/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-boylan-b36a1016/

Image Credits
Janelle Whitehead Photography Layla Gonzalez Photography