The 150th: Andre Campos
The member of BU Law’s 150th graduating class reflects on his experience in the Graduate Tax Program.
Andre Campos (LLM’23) Made a New Life for Himself and His Family
The member of BU Law’s 150th graduating class reflects on his experience in the Graduate Tax Program.
The Commencement of the Class of 2023—BU Law’s 150th graduating class—makes a fitting culmination to a year of events celebrating the school’s sesquicentennial. Like tens of thousands who have gone before them, these graduates are poised to go out in the world and accomplish amazing things.
Studying and socializing together across various cultural backgrounds and experiences, they formed close bonds and learned about themselves and the law.
This group of JD students arrived from 21 countries and 35 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. They had the added challenge of beginning their studies during a pandemic. But they went the distance. They worked hard to apply themselves and find career paths that matched their interests and abilities.
Likewise, the LLM, masters, and certificate students hailed from 40 countries and represented professionals at every career level, from age 21 to 70. Many received intensive instruction in legal English to build a strong foundation for their studies. They will use their newfound knowledge to advance their careers and improve legal systems here and abroad.
We checked in a group of students—including Andre Campos (LLM in Taxation’23)—during their final year to learn more about what made their time at BU Law unique and how they plan to make the most of their degrees.
Q&A
The Record: Tell us about yourself and what led you to Boston.
Andre Campos: First of all, I was in electrical engineering. And then, I started working for the federal justice in Brazil. And that actually led me to go to law school. I got to the high point of my career in federal justice and realized I’d be in the same position until I retired. I didn’t want to do that. I wanted to keep moving.
A friend had a cousin who did this program a couple of years ago, so I started looking into it. I saw how it was career-oriented, so it was appealing to me.
The Record: How was your experience as a law clerk in Brazil?
Andre Campos: In Brazil, to get employment from the government, you have to take a big exam. It’s really difficult to get in. And if you can pass those exams, you get a high salary from the start. When I went to the federal justice, I hadn’t ever looked at a lawsuit or case before. And the first day, I’m answering questions from lawyers. It sounds great, but you don’t have much room for growth.
The Record: What appealed to you about the LLM program?
Andre Campos: First, you don’t have to do the JD. It’s a one-year course, and then you can take the bar and start practicing. So it was really attractive to me. I didn’t even look at other universities. And they were so career-focused it seemed like a perfect fit. And for the tax program, more specifically, it kind of brings the engineer together with the lawyer. I am comfortable with numbers, unlike many lawyers.
The Record: What was the transition like?
Andre Campos: In the beginning, it was scary because it’s a very different system. Both the cases and the entities, like C corporations and S corporations. You feel like you’re not going to be able to learn that ever. But then, as things go forward, you see the professors are there to help you with anything. It’s been amazing.
The Record: What do you plan to do with your LLM?
Andre Campos: I got an offer from EY in the fall semester. That was my main goal, to get into a Big Four accounting firm. We had an event at BU to meet the firms. I spent 40 minutes talking to them, and it was a nice connection. I just really clicked with them.
The job will be in Miami, which, weatherwise, will be closer to what I’m used to in Brazil, but it’s bittersweet. I’d love to stay here because I have a connection with the professors and even the other students. The environment is so nice and also welcoming. Everyone believes in you and wants you to succeed.
The Record: How would you say the program has changed your life and career?
Andre Campos: I’m getting out of Brazil’s public sector and coming to the private sector here. It’s such a big difference. I’m hoping it’s just the beginning of the journey, and I will keep learning. I want to help make the world a better place.
Here, I feel I can make a difference. I can change something for the better.
The Record: So you plan on staying in the US?
Andre Campos: Definitely. I have a 10-year-old son, Antonio. We’re here in the suburbs of Boston, where they have better schools for him. In Brazil, you cannot go to the beach unless you have a parent with you because it’s dangerous. Here, he comes home and plays outside with his friends, having a blast.
The Record: What else can you say about your experience?
Andre Campos: It’s been beyond any expectations I had by far. It’s been amazing. Of course, there’s a bit of luck in that, like always in life. I just feel so blessed. And I appreciate Boston University for being that turning point, making that happen for me.