Amanda Keating Schaus joined Brighton Corporation in fall of 2007, as General Counsel, with a wide range of experience in real estate transactions. Her extensive background in commercial shopping center law, acquisitions, sales, leasing, property management, and lending prompted the Principals to bring their legal counsel in-house.
Amanda received a Bachelor of Arts in both Political Science and Philosophy from the University of Kansas, graduating a semester early with distinction, and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. In the fall following her undergraduate work, Amanda entered Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, in Dallas, Texas, where she obtained her juris doctor degree.
Moving to Boise, Amanda began her legal career in private practice. During this time, she was an associate at Givens Pursley LLP, working with some of the best real estate lawyers in the State of Idaho. Looking for a more well rounded understanding of real estate development and management, in 2002, she moved to the sole legal counsel position at Hawkins-Smith Management, Inc. and became involved the legal aspects of its extensive asset portfolio. When Hawkins-Smith merged with Hawkins Companies LLC in 2002, acting as senior legal counsel, Amanda further deepened her understanding of the development, planning, entitlement and construction aspects of retail real estate projects.
Amanda is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, and the Association of Corporate Counsel. She serves on Boise State University’s College of Arts and Science Advisory Board, chairing a committee supporting the MFA programs in Creative Writing and Visual Arts.
Amanda lives in Boise with her husband and their two young children. She is an avid reader, and attends Boise’s artistic and other cultural offerings as often as her schedule allows. She enjoys being involved in her children’s school, and various family activities including skiing, hiking, swimming, “breakfast for dinner” nights (when it is her turn to cook), and movie nights.
