Tech Analyst Becomes Advocate for Justice at UA Little Rock Bowen School of Law
After spending years monitoring and analyzing high-risk legal threats for tech giants, Oscar Leyva realized that he wanted to use the law to help those who needed it the most.
A naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Monterrey, Mexico, Leyva spent seven years as a compliance and threat analyst for Facebook, now Meta, and Google. Despite his success in the tech world, he found himself yearning for a career that would allow him to make a direct impact on marginalized communities. That goal led him to the UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law in 2022.
“I realized that in tech, I couldn’t make the changes I wanted to see in society and help the people I wanted to help,” Leyva said. “I decided to get a law degree so I could start helping marginalized communities that need the most help.”
During his time at Bowen, Leyva’s dedication to service set him apart, and the law student has spent much time providing legal services to those who couldn’t afford or didn’t have access to legal services.
“Oscar has distinguished himself by putting his legal skills to practice in service of human rights, including assisting a large family of Afghan refugees in obtaining permanent legal residency after they were forced to flee Afghanistan following the Taliban’s takeover,” Bowen Dean Colin Crawford said. “In this effort, Oscar helped them navigate the complexities of the immigration process, ensuring they received the protection and legal status they were entitled to in the U.S.”
When the Bowen School of Law partnered with the Mexican Consulate in Little Rock, Leyva was the first Bowen student to volunteer, providing critical support to Mexican nationals and U.S. citizens of Mexican descent. He educated consulate staff on navigating the U.S. and Arkansas legal systems, connected consulate staff with local attorneys and additional resources, and educated people who visit the Consulate on topics such as wage theft, workplace rights, and cybersecurity protection.
Leyva’s service extended to Bowen’s Delta Divorce Clinic, where he worked under Professor Suzanne Penn to help indigent clients navigate divorce, custody, and child support cases. As a native Spanish speaker, he often assisted clients who faced language barriers. He also volunteers with Arkansas Access to Justice, working with lawyers to answer legal questions from people who can’t afford an attorney.
“Professor Penn has been an inspiration,” Leyva said. “She exemplifies the importance of giving back to the community, and you want to imitate what she stands for.”
Outside of his legal work, Leyva actively contributed to Bowen’s campus community. He was a member of OutLaw, the Latin American Law Students Association, Phi Delta Alpha, and the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association. He also clerked for local law firms, gaining valuable experience in immigration, family, and criminal law as well as appellate advocacy.
Despite the rigorous demands of law school, Leyva found Bowen’s close-knit community welcoming and supportive.
“Law school is a lot of work, but it’s very fulfilling,” he said. “As a small school, we rely on each other. There’s only 115 of us in my class, and we are kind and courteous to each other. I’ve made a lot of connections with people in the legal community, including members of the Arkansas Supreme Court and federal judges.”
After graduation, Leyva plans to take the Arkansas Bar Exam in February and dreams of opening his own practice one day to serve marginalized communities in rural areas of the state.
“I want to help people where resources are scarce,” he said. “Whether it’s immigration, family law, or criminal defense, I want to ensure people have access to justice.”
For Leyva, the path to success has not been without its challenges. A survivor of child abuse and an immigrant whose first language is not English, he understands the importance of perseverance.
“You’re going to fail, but that’s part of the learning process,” he said. “What matters is learning from your mistakes and pushing forward.”
