Diego Melendez Hirezi is a Salvadorean-qualified lawyer. He graduated from the Superior School of Business and Economics of El Salvador. Currently, he is a student in the International Dispute Resolution LL.M program at Berlin Humboldt University.

For more than five years, he worked as an associate in the litigation and arbitration department of Arias Law, a regional Central American law firm. There, he acted as counsel in litigation and arbitration proceedings. Diego speaks English and Spanish.

We look very much forward to working with Diego and have so many questions…

What was your first job?

Assistant in the legal team of a retail company.

Breakfast or dinner?

Dinner. It is a must after a long day to prepare myself a nice dinner and watch shorts of my favourite movies and series.

What do you cook when you spontaneously have friends over for dinner?

BBQ, or as we say in Latin America: “Asado”.

Mountains or Seaside?

Mountains. Imagine you are in a cabin in the middle of the mountains. The weather is cold but not too cold. You sit down with a cup of coffee to appreciate the view and enjoy the sound of the rain in the background. A perfect moment!

If you could meet someone famous, dead or alive, who would it be?

Salvador Dali.

Which was your favorite place to live so far?

Berlin, without a doubt.

Digital or analogue?

Digital is more practical, but I stick with analogue.

Favorite time of day?

Nighttime, right after dinner.

Window or aisle seat?

Window. I always want to have a view.

Country you wish to visit?

Japan.

What song will always get you on the dancefloor?

I can’t decide on a specific song but “salsa” music in general will always do the trick.

Good advice you’ve received?

Be true to yourself.

Biggest pet peeve?

When people stand still on the left side of the escalators.

Most played on your music playlist right now?

From the Beginning – Emerson, Lake & Palmer.

Favorite (public) holiday?

Christmas! I love it when the family gets together.

Last new thing you learned?

Some basic German.

Which movie can you watch over and over?

Godfather II.

Three words to describe Berlin?

Alternative, diverse, cold.

Three words to describe your hometown El Salvador?

Sunny, traditional, happy.

Night owl or early bird?

I work better in the night; the silence helps me concentrate.

Favorite pizza topping?

(Fresh) Mushrooms.