If you have ever watched a television series about lawyers or taken a spontaneous interest in the study of law, you may know that the field is rooted in four main types of law: constitutional, statutory, administrative and case (common) law. Though each focuses on distinctly different types of cases, all seek to fight injustice and uphold fairness. On Tuesday, December 11, Blair was excited to welcome back civil attorney Andre Matias ’07, who, in addition to his work in the legal profession, has also represented his home country twice in the Olympics since leaving the hilltop.

“I could not have predicted my journey from Blair to the Olympics to law,” shares Mr. Matias in a pre-event interview. “My success came from curiosity, perseverance and adaptability; it was never a fixed plan.”

The alum with many accolades eagerly awaits the opportunity to connect with his future alums. He plans to discuss his career as an immigration lawyer and the importance of this field today in light of recent changes in U.S. law and policy. Looking back at his journey, he will talk about recognizing one’s potential, staying open to unexpected opportunities, and pursuing paths that align with your strengths and values, insights that have paved the way for him. 

After graduating from Blair, Mr. Matias went on to study at Hamilton College where he earned his bachelor of arts degree with a double major in political science and foreign languages and literature. Wanting to further his education, the former student athlete continued his studies at Georgetown University’s Law School, where he received his juris doctorate. And, somewhere in between all of his studying, the former Blair crew standout found time to continue his beloved hobby: rowing. Maintaining his craft also helped him qualify to represent his home country, Angola, in the Olympics twice–first in Rio in 2016, followed by Paris in 2024.

Today, Mr. Matias serves as a managing attorney at his self-founded practice, Altius Immigration Law in Washington, D.C. With his extensive work experience, he takes on cases that help represent clients in need of obtaining nonimmigrant visas, green cards and citizenship. The range of his cases is vast, having to handle complex issues that involve irregular situations and violations of status, as well as those that assist companies in complying within  their immigration compliance obligations.

At the end of the day, Mr. Matias says what he loves to do is give back, whether to his clients or Blair students. When asked how much the opportunity to speak at Skeptics means to him, he responded simply and sincerely: “Very. It’s personal.”

“I was once in their position, unsure, insecure and figuring things out as I went. I want to show students that they don’t need a clear plan initially to build a meaningful path forward. With time, they will develop a sense of the various paths available to them, and they can then set goals to tap into their potential. What will then happen is that they will maximize their opportunities and achieve exceptional, maybe even extraordinary results.”

“I found my direction through exploration and by doing hard things with purpose. My journey taught me that it’s okay to pivot when something doesn’t feel right. My advice is to be curious, try different things and not fear changing direction. My path evolved over the years and so did I. The same will be true for them.”

History of Skeptics

The Society of Skeptics was established as a forum for students and faculty to discuss and debate important global issues; it has grown to become one of the premier high school lecture series in the United States. Each week, speakers from the political, social, scientific, economic and literary arenas share their unique perspectives with students, who are encouraged to engage with presenters, asking questions and debating points of view.

The program, which is funded in part by the Class of 1968 Society of Skeptics Endowment Fund, is an outgrowth of the Blair International Society, begun in 1937. Forty years later, former history department chair Elliott Trommald, PhD, Hon. ’65, established the modern Skeptics program as a regular forum for student discussion and debate; history teacher Martin Miller, PhD, took over in the mid-1980s and molded the program into a weekly lecture series, one that has since continued without interruption. Under the tutelage of Dr. Miller and his successor, history department chair Jason Beck, Skeptics has featured a wide variety of speakers who are thought-provoking, engaging, accomplished in their respective fields and often controversial. For a listing of upcoming Skeptics programs, please visit Blair’s website.