Legal projects that involve more than one language often require more than just linguistic accuracy—they also demand familiarity with legal systems, specialized terminology, and professional standards. Selecting the right translator or interpreter with legal expertise is an important step toward ensuring clear and accurate communication.
The American Translators Association (ATA) Directory offers access to a wide range of qualified translators and interpreters. On our Law Division website, the “Find a Legal T&I” section provides step-by-step guidance on how to search the directory specifically for professionals with legal expertise.
Once you’ve used that guidance to generate search results, the next step is to evaluate individual profiles to identify the best fit for your legal project. This guide highlights what to look for—using the exact section titles from the ATA profile and starting with the most important elements to help you assess whether a professional is a good fit for your legal needs.
1️⃣ Core Project Criteria
These are the most essential elements to ensure the professional is a match for your specific legal needs. We recommend reviewing them first:
- Areas of Specialization: This section shows the legal fields the professional works in (e.g., contracts, litigation, immigration law).
🔹 TIP: Prioritize professionals whose specialties closely match the subject of your project. - Language Pairs: Verify that the professional works in the source and target languages required for your project.
🔹 TIP: It’s often a good practice to work with someone who is a native speaker of the target language—or who has substantial experience using the target language professionally, such as living or working in a country where it is spoken. - Translating Service: Check whether the professional offers translation, interpretation, or both—depending on what your project requires.
🔹 TIP: Not sure of the difference? Here’s a quick guide from ATA.
2️⃣ Professional Credentials and Affiliations
These profile sections highlight qualifications and ongoing professional engagement:
- ATA Certification: A star icon appears on the profile if the professional is certified in your selected language pair. Certification adds an extra layer of quality assurance. Click here to learn more about ATA Certification.
- ATA Divisions: Review what ATA divisions the professional belongs to.
🔹 TIP: Look for professionals who are members of the Law Division and the language-specific divisions relevant to your project. This often indicates commitment to specialized training and staying current in the field.
3️⃣ Additional Information
These sections offer further context and may help round out your decision:
- Professional Description: Most profiles include a summary of services, approach, and areas of expertise.
- Years in Business: Useful for understanding how long the professional has been active in the field.
- Education Level and Background: Many profiles include degrees or specialized training.
- Location: Helpful if you’re seeking a provider within a specific region or time zone.
- Translating Tools: See if the professional works with specific tools or software relevant to your needs.
- External Links: Some profiles link to websites, LinkedIn, or portfolios for you to explore their work further.
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