The ATA Law Division is excited to announce our Distinguished Speaker for the upcoming 66th Annual ATA Conference, taking place October 22–25, 2025, in Boston. View the flyer with session details here.
We are honored to welcome Toni M. Jaeger-Fine as this year’s Distinguished Speaker. Toni is the principal of Jaeger-Fine Consulting, where she advises law firms and other organizations on talent development, diversity and inclusion, leadership, and communication. She is especially known for her work on the Professional Persona, a concept focused on the attitudes and behaviors that help legal professionals succeed.
Toni also serves as Senior Counselor at Fordham Law School, where she was previously Assistant Dean for over 15 years. She teaches and lectures in the U.S. and abroad, and is the author of several books, including:
- The U.S. Legal System: The Basics
- American Legal Systems: A Resource and Reference Guide
- Becoming a Lawyer: Discovering and Defining Your Professional Persona
- Law Firm Management for Next Gen Lawyers (forthcoming 2026)
What Matters Most to Our LawD Members
Our recent Law Division survey gave us valuable insight into what our members want most, and Toni M. Jaeger-Fine’s sessions speak directly to those interests.
- 82% of respondents work primarily in English
- Nearly 69% work with law firms as direct clients
- When asked which legal topics would make them strongly consider attending language-neutral ATA webinars or conference sessions:
- 44% chose common law vs. civil law systems
- 43% selected contracts and legal terminology
- 42% marked working with lawyers and law firms, as well as finding and working with direct clients in the legal sector
These priorities show a clear need for deeper insight into the U.S. legal system, law firm operations, and contract language. Toni M. Jaeger-Fine brings exactly that perspective—as a lawyer licensed in the United States, law professor, and author with extensive global experience.
Learning Directly from a U.S. Lawyer and Law Professor
Having Toni M. Jaeger-Fine as our Distinguished Speaker is a great opportunity for legal translators and interpreters. Toni is an experienced U.S.-licensed lawyer and respected law professor, with many years of work in both legal practice and teaching. She will share detailed knowledge about how U.S. law firms operate and explain the different stages and language used in contracts—topics that are very relevant for professionals in the legal field.
Toni has worked with lawyers around the world through her teaching, speaking engagements, and presentations of her books at law firms and institutions. At Fordham Law School, she has played a key role in helping internationally trained lawyers understand the U.S. legal system. Her broad experience and deep understanding of legal education give her a unique perspective to share useful, practical insights.
For legal translators and interpreters working with U.S. lawyers, courts, and legal documents, Toni’s sessions are a valuable opportunity to learn directly from a legal expert. Her clear and well-organized approach will help attendees better understand the legal environments they work with every day.
Session 1: Understanding Contract Processes and Terms
Thursday, October 23, 1:30pm-2:30pm, Grand Ballroom – Concourse Level The Westin Boston Seaport Hotel
This session will explain how contracts are created, managed, and enforced, and explore key legal terms. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of:
- Common contract terminology
- The contract lifecycle from formation to implementation, breach, and damages
- Core legal concepts involved in contracts
- How to better serve clients involved in legal contracting work
After this session, participants will be better equipped to understand contracts and engage with contract terminology confidently.
Session 2: Understanding the Modern Law Firm
Thursday, October 23, 2:40pm-3:4pm, Grand Ballroom – Concourse Level The Westin Boston Seaport Hotel
This session will provide an overview of how law firms operate today, from solo practices to large firms. Topics include:
- Law firm structures and governance
- Compensation systems
- Talent recruitment and development
- Pricing and business development
- Technology in legal practice
- Legal and ethical challenges
- How translators and interpreters can find and work with law firm clients
Following this session, participants will better understand the law firms with which they work (or want to do business), allowing them to serve these clients more effectively.
Join Us in Boston to Hear from a Leading Legal Expert
We invite you to join us in Boston this October and take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn from a leading voice in the U.S. legal profession. We look forward to seeing you there!
The Law Division is truly excited and honored to welcome Toni M. Jaeger-Fine as our Distinguished Speaker at ATA’s 66th Annual Conference. We thank her for sharing her time, experience, and knowledge with our community of legal translators and interpreters. It’s a privilege to have someone with her expertise and insight joining us in Boston, and we look forward to learning from her—and hopefully continuing the connection beyond the conference.
⚖️ Welcome to the Law Division, Toni!
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