Andres Leiva ’26 was born in the United States after his Salvadoran family moved to Miami, Florida, in the aftermath of the Salvadoran Civil War. When he was eight, the family moved back to their home country, an experience that changed Leiva’s life and would reshape his thinking and cultural understanding. He later returned to the US to attend the University of Florida. His major in journalism led to a seven-year career as a photojournalist, primarily freelancing for the Palm Beach Post before eventually joining the staff. The many discoveries he made along the way inspired his interest in law school. Here is Leiva’s story, as told to fellow student Staniel Brutis ’26.
SB: What is a favorite memory of your childhood in Florida?
AL: I remember going to the public library and reading books. I really liked The Hardy Boys (mystery books) and Boxcar Children (a children’s book series that turned into proto-young adult). My family lived by a lake back then, and I used to love walking around with my mom climbing trees and feeding ducks. Well, until a duck bit my finger when I was six or so. That said, my love for reading definitely shaped me early on. It gave me a curious mind and an interest in storytelling, which later played a role in my career choices. Oh, and I loved Taco Bell. That was the number one thing I remember missing when we first moved to El Salvador.
SB: How did you adapt to moving to El Salvador?
AL: My father’s job as a missionary required him to lead the region, which was headquartered at the time in El Salvador. Being there was life-changing for me. I experienced a completely different world from what I knew. The main challenge I faced early on was the fact I was Salvadoran by heritage but not by culture. I barely spoke Spanish, and I had no sense of Salvadoran history, or the jokes that my friends all grew up laughing at.
In those early years I dealt with bullying while I was still sorting out my identity. But that was part of what made the experience so transformative. As time went on and I came into my own as a Salvadoran and I realized that it was true that I was different: I did not quite fit neatly into the box of a Salvadoran or American kid. Learning to not just be OK with that but to celebrate that about myself that made me appreciate that not everyone’s worldview is the same.
If I hadn’t gone to El Salvador, I would’ve taken for granted how different people’s experiences are. I learned to be adaptable—like when there was no hot water for showers, or when I learn our traditional games, like playing with wooden tops. I went on a hilariously unnecessary hunger strike for like a month when I first got there, insisting on only eating hamburgers and pizza because that was appropriately American. But discovering our Salvadoran cuisine and later learning Spanish taught me to connect with others through their culture. These experiences shaped my temperament and problem-solving approach today. I gained perspective that helps me remain calm when faced with problems and to focus on how to solve them.
SB: What was it like when you returned to the United States for college?
AL: The biggest challenge was learning how to function as a seventeen-year-old in the US. For example, I didn’t know how health insurance worked or how to navigate public transportation. I had to adjust to a lot of “little things” in the US, like learning to use a front-loading washing machine, catching up on pop culture, and rediscovering American music like hip-hop and R&B.
SB: Why did photojournalism appeal to you?
AL:It helped me re-enter American culture, as it required me to attend events, concerts, and sports and to branch out socially. It got me to speak to people, which ignited my love of storytelling.
SB: When did you decide to study law?
AL: I wanted to do something different from journalism, where I was mostly observing others doing interesting things. In the courtroom, while photographing trials, I was drawn to litigation. I didn’t always understand the legal jargon, but I understood the flow of the arguments and found the dynamics between opposing counsel fascinating. I loved how it combined storytelling and argument, much like what I’d seen in El Salvador—everyone has a different story. And in law, I could help tell those stories in persuasive ways.
SB: Why did you choose Boston College Law School?
AL: I wanted a school with great job outcomes, and since I was uprooting my family, it had to be in a city that was vibrant, where my wife could also have a career. Boston College offered the school and city that were a perfect combination of these factors.
SB: How do the school’s values align with your own?
AL:BC Law really encourages proactive thinking and ownership of your work. For example, the Civil Rights Clinic pushes us to take charge of projects, which is a valuable skill you learn through experience, not just in the classroom. The community is also great; it’s easy to find like-minded people and connect with them.
SB: Is litigation still a primary interest?
AL: Yes, because it’s all about storytelling and persuading others that your client’s version of events is the truth. That resonates with my journalism background. It’s about constructing a narrative that makes the world make sense for the reader—or, in law, for the jury.
SB: Are there other legal issues that resonate with you?
AL:Immigration is one area, as it affects my family personally given our own history in arriving to the U.S.US in the 90s. I’m also interested in data privacy, something I thought a lot about during my journalism days.
SB: How is being a 2L different from what you thought it would be when you started law school?
AL: I didn’t expect there to be such non-traditional paths in 2L. I’ve taken a more experiential route through the Civil Rights Clinic, which feels like having a real job. It’s not just doctrinal classes but real-world legal work—meeting clients, sending emails to opposing counsel, and drafting legal documents.
SB: What’s been most rewarding about law school so far?
AL: The friendships I’ve made. Also, looking back at how much I’ve grown has been amazing, but I’m also excited knowing there’s still so much more growth ahead too.
SB: What about challenges?
AL: One of the biggest has been balancing the demands of law school with my personal life. My wife has been my rock. Setting aside time to focus on her and not just on school has been crucial. It’s about creating space for both worlds to coexist.
SB: How do you stay in touch with family in El Salvador?
AL: Through a WhatsApp group that’s been active for ten years. My family is spread out around the world now. My folks moved to Costa Rica in the years since I moved to the U.SUS. My siblings are here in the U.S., down in the South. My best friends remain in El Salvador. Since we’re all spread out the WhatsApp groups are where we are all chitchatting daily. Food is another way I stay connected; I still eat Salvadoran dishes like pupusas and tamales, and I’ve found a local store that stocks snacks from my childhood.
SB: What are your career aspirations now?
AL: I want to work at a law firm and continue developing my narrative skills in the litigation context. I’m also interested in pro bono work, especially immigration, and I’d lean into my multicultural background, which is increasingly valuable in the legal world.
Photo of Andres Leiva by Hannah Morse