Annual Sponsor Spotlight: Quarles & Brady

“The limits of the possible can only be defined by going beyond them into the impossible.” --Arthur C. Clarke

This quote is one of Amanda Morton’s favorite quotes, and when you get to know her, you will understand why! Amanda is a Commercial Real Estate Attorney and Partner with Quarles & Brady, LLP, where she focuses in finance, corporate, and real estate matters, providing innovative, client-centered representation on an array of commercial transactions within a wide reach of industries. Amanda is very engaged with her clients, is extremely goal-oriented, thrives on challenges, and is fully committed to problem solving. She realizes that sometimes you must look outside of what is already known to find real solutions.

Amanda grew up in Sanford, North Carolina, a small town just south of Raleigh. She attended Wake Forest University where she earned a degree in Political Science and went on to earn her Juris Doctor at the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University, graduating cum laude in her undergraduate and in law school. Amanda’s Bar Admissions are in Florida, Georgia, and Indiana. She practiced law in Atlanta for a number of years then moved to Indiana where she became the Associate Counsel for Corporate and Global Partnerships at Purdue University, representing Purdue University and Purdue Research Foundation. With a wide range of experience under her belt, she joined Quarles & Brady, a 2024 CREW Tampa Bay Platinum Annual Sponsor, nearly two years ago. She continues to represent clients in Indiana and in Florida. Quarles & Brady has been in business since 1892, providing legal solutions to a wide range of clients on a national stage. Amanda is excited to be collaborating with a firm focusing on service/client support teams and offering boundless resources at her fingertips.

To Amanda, success in her career as well as in life is about fulfilment and purpose. She is inspired by the ability to help others with problem solving as well as in the completion of various goals. One of the things that has had a significant impact on success within Amanda’s career has been learning to analyze situations, first, then respond accordingly versus jumping in headfirst. She says, “If you think something is impossible, look more closely at the situation first. There are always solutions and other paths you can take.” Amanda believes in always keeping an open mind, brainstorming ideas, and the solutions will be revealed.

Outside of work, Amanda loves spending time with her two wonderful daughters who are 12 and 14 years old. She enjoys volunteering, and she is especially passionate about serving with organizations revolving around feeding the hungry. Amanda focuses on nutrition, and she loves to cook. In her spare time, Amanda enjoys traveling, running, boating, hiking the woods and mountains, and reading a good book. That perfect day off for Amanda would be  waking up without an alarm, going on a long hike, enjoying a big meal with family and friends, and fitting in some relaxation time.

One fun fact that many people may not know about Amanda is that she is an “adventure traveler.”  One of her travels took her on a six-day running adventure through the beautiful country of Iceland. While on this running adventure, she maneuvered mountainous terrain, lava fields, and she even crossed a river in a bus!

Amanda has been attending CREW events for a number of years in other areas of the country. She recently joined CREW Tampa Bay, where she is a member of the Executive Council and recently joined the PR, Marketing and Communications Committee. She joined CREW not only for the educational and networking benefits, but also to give back to her community and spend time with wonderful people in the commercial real estate realm. Joining CREW has helped Amanda forge strong relationships and real friendships. She enjoys learning all the local “tips and tricks” from fellow CREW members and believes that you learn so much from those who surround you. Amanda understands that experience and perspective are particularly important in all aspects of life. She is always enhancing her own knowledge, shares what she has learned, and as she says, “Some of the best mentors come into your life totally unplanned.”