Leigh Powers Boan is a lifelong resident of Georgetown County. She is married to Jason P. Boan, and they reside in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, with their three children. Judge Boan is the daughter of Ann L. Powers and the late Jackie S. Powers and has one sister and two brothers, all of whom are residents of Georgetown County.

Judge Boan graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1996 with a degree in Marketing and Business Information Systems. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2000 and was admitted to the South Carolina Bar the same year.

Judge Boan began her legal career as Law Clerk to the Honorable Paula H. Thomas of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit. She then practiced law with the Bagnal Law Firm for three years before joining McNair Law Firm, P.A. in June 2004, where she practiced until joining the Bench. In addition to the South Carolina Bar, she is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Judge Boan is an active member of Prince George Winyah Church in Georgetown and has served as Board Member and Treasurer of the Georgetown County School of Arts and Sciences, past President of the Georgetown County Literacy Council, and former Board Member of the Georgetown Performing Dance Arts Foundation.