Where It All Started
Behind every thriving community is a shared purpose. The Law Division of the ATA was born from a clear need: a dedicated space for professionals working at the intersection of language and law. What started as a bold idea has grown into a vibrant, global network. On this page, you’ll discover the mission that drives us, the vision that inspires us, and the story of how a small group of passionate professionals came together to create something truly meaningful.
🔷 OUR MISSION
To build a strong, supportive, and inclusive community for legal translators, legal interpreters, and legal professionals. We aim to empower our members and amplify their voice by offering::
▪️High-quality training
▪️Practical tools and resources
▪️A network of colleagues and mentors
By doing so, we help legal language professionals improve their craft, grow their confidence, and remain competitive in a demanding profession.
🔷 OUR VISION
To be the leading global network for legal language professionals—
A trusted space for:
▪️Excellence
▪️Innovation
▪️Collaboration
We envision a world where professionals working with legal language feel connected, informed, and inspired in every aspect of their work.
📘 OUR HISTORY
It all began with a simple question in 2016:
“Why doesn’t the ATA have a division focused on legal translation and interpretation?”
At the time, ATA had divisions by language pair and subject matter—but none dedicated to law.
That changed thanks to the initiative of Paula Arturo and Ana Gauz, with guidance from Jamie Padula at ATA Headquarters and support from Lucy Gunderson, then-chair of the Divisions Committee. They began rallying legal T&I professionals to build something new.
An informal gathering at ATA’s 58th Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., brought together about 20 interested members. Some stayed to help launch what would become the Law Division. Others joined shortly after.
Founding Members of the Law Division (in alphabetical order):
Amanda Morris, Ana Gauz, Arnold Winter, Elizabeth Herron-Sweet, Emanuel Weisgras, Heidi Casez-Sevilla, Mariano Vitteta, Natalia Rezzonico, Paula Arturo, Sandro Tomasi, and Tony Rosado.
Just over a year later, following dedicated planning and petitioning, the ATA Board officially approved the Law Division in 2017.
Today, we proudly support thousands of ATA members from around the world who are passionate about bridging the gap between language and law.
Ready to Join Us?
Whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned expert, there’s a place for you in the LawD.
🔹 Join the ATA — Become a member of ATA
🔹 Already an ATA member? — Join the Law Division
🔹 Have questions? — Contact us
➡️ Be part of a community that understands your work, supports your growth, and shares your passion.
