Amaris Leiataua, a proud Samoan in the United States has achieved a milestone by becoming the first Samoan in Compton to receive a Juris Doctor degree allowing her to practice law. 

Growing up in part of a city plagued by high crime rates, Amaris defied all odds and challenges to pursue her dreams of becoming a lawyer. 

"Growing up in Compton, the relentless barrage of police sirens, helicopters, and gunshots made our small home a refuge where we learned the Fa’a Samoa, the Samoan cultural norms of service, sacrifice, and duty to one’s family and community" she responded to queries by Samoa Observer.

She hails from the villages of Manono and Fasito'outa and her parents emigrated from Samoa to Compton, California where she was born and raised.

After graduating Dominguez High School, Amaris graduated from University of California Berkeley with her Bachelor’s degree, earned her Pacific Studies Certificate from the University of Auckland in New Zealand, and then attained her Master’s degree from UCLA.

Amaris’s journey continued as she served a mission in Peru before moving to Utah to work at the University of Utah’s College of Architecture and Planning. She eventually decided to attend law school at BYU Law, where she excelled in leadership roles and interned with esteemed legal professionals.

Her achievement is not just a personal triumph, but a testament to the resilience, strength, and determination of the Samoan community and she dedicates the fruits of her hard work to her family and Samoa.

"My heart is brimming with gratitude and pride about this accomplishment. It is not merely a celebration of individual achievement but a testament to the collective spirit and support that has guided me on this arduous yet rewarding journey through law school," she said.

As the first Samoan from Compton to receive a Juris Doctor, Aramis Leiataua discovered that there were only eight lawyers in the United States publicly identifying as Samoans. Additionally, seven per cent were Native Hawaiian Pacific Islanders (NHPI).

There are more than 1.3 million lawyers in the United States. There were 1,331,290 active lawyers as of 1 January  2023 according to the ABA National Lawyer Population Survey, a tally of lawyers in every U.S. state and territory.

Despite facing adversity and challenges, she never wavered from her goals and remained committed to serving her community. 

When asked what her message is for the Samoan community she said "Samoans worldwide should use our skills not just to further our own careers but to make a meaningful impact on society. We need more lawyers who stand up for the voiceless, who fight for justice, and who maintain integrity in every action."