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Court-certified legal interpreter preparing for deposition at a California law firm

Legal Interpreting

Interpretation Built for
Cases, Not Conversations

A single misinterpreted word can compromise testimony, trigger a mistrial, or cost your client the case. Kaplan provides court-certified interpreters and deposition interpreters matched by credentials, dialect, and subject-matter expertise, so nothing gets misunderstood, misrepresented, or challenged on appeal. Our legal interpreting services include legal interpretation, certified legal translation, and legal translation for every stage of your case.

Check Availability (833) 547-7770

99.7%

On-time rate across all legal assignments

15,000+

Completed legal and professional assignments

200+

Languages including rare dialects

17+

Years in the California legal market

Certified deposition interpreter providing verbatim interpretation during a legal deposition proceeding

Legal Services

Deposition Interpretation

Court-certified interpreters trained in deposition protocol, legal terminology, and verbatim accuracy. Every interpreter receives pre-session briefings with case materials, party names, and specialized vocabulary.

Civil & Commercial Depositions
Expert Witness Depositions
Video Depositions
Multi-day Proceedings
Professional court interpreter assisting at a trial hearing in a state courtroom

Legal Services

Trial & Hearing Interpretation

Interpreters who know courtroom protocol, understand evidentiary rules, and maintain composure under cross-examination pressure. Credential packets prepared for judicial review.

State & Federal Trials
Preliminary Hearings
Motions & Arguments
Jury Instructions
Neutral certified interpreter facilitating communication during an arbitration and mediation session

Legal Services

Arbitration & Mediation

Neutral, certified interpreters for alternative dispute resolution proceedings. Experienced with complex multi-party negotiations and confidential settlement discussions.

Commercial Arbitration
Labor Arbitration
Mediation Sessions
Settlement Conferences
Immigration court interpreter assisting at USCIS interview and asylum hearing proceedings

Legal Services

Immigration Proceedings

Interpreters experienced in USCIS protocols, asylum hearing procedures, and immigration court terminology. Including rare and indigenous languages frequently encountered in immigration cases.

USCIS Interviews
Asylum Hearings
Bond Hearings
Removal Proceedings
Confidential interpreter supporting attorney-client meeting and witness preparation at a law firm

Legal Services

Law Firm Support

Interpretation for attorney-client meetings, case preparation, witness interviews, and client consultations. Strict confidentiality protocols with NDAs provided as standard practice.

Attorney-Client Meetings
Witness Preparation
Client Intake
Case Strategy Sessions
Certified legal document translator reviewing contracts and court filings for accuracy

Legal Services

Certified Document Translation

Certified translations of legal documents with signed certificates of accuracy. Accepted by courts, USCIS, and government agencies nationwide.

Contracts & Agreements
Court Filings
Discovery Documents
Affidavits & Declarations

Why It Matters

Why Certified Interpreters Are Non-Negotiable in Legal Settings

Protect the Record

Uncertified interpreters introduce errors that opposing counsel can exploit on appeal. A certified interpreter protects the accuracy of every statement, depositions, testimony, and attorney-client communications stay intact.

Preserve Privilege

Using a bilingual staff member or unvetted interpreter can compromise attorney-client privilege. Our interpreters are bound by professional codes of ethics and sign NDAs, protecting the confidentiality your clients expect.

Prevent Procedural Delays

Judges dismiss or reschedule when interpreter credentials don't meet court requirements. Kaplan provides credential packets in advance and matches interpreters who already know the courtroom, the terminology, and the protocol.

Ready to confirm coverage for your case?

Share the date, language, and assignment type. Response within 4 hours.

Check Availability (833) 547-7770

Client Feedback

What Our Clients Say

"Kaplan's deposition interpreters arrive with case terminology already reviewed. That level of preparation saves us time and protects the record."

R

Richard M.

Litigation Partner, Los Angeles

"We switched from a larger agency after a court rejected their interpreter's credentials. Kaplan sends credential packets in advance, zero delays since."

S

Sarah K.

Managing Attorney, San Francisco

"The dialect matching alone sets Kaplan apart. In a drug trafficking case, their interpreter caught slang that a general Spanish interpreter would have missed entirely."

D

David P.

Criminal Defense Attorney

FAQs

Common Questions About Legal Interpreting

What certifications do your legal interpreters hold?
Our legal interpreters hold Judicial Council of California certifications, federal court certifications, and state-specific credentials. We verify every interpreter's qualifications before assignment and prepare credential packets for judicial review when required.
How do you match interpreters to legal assignments?
We use a detailed intake process that captures case type, language pair, dialect, setting, and technical requirements. Interpreters are matched by credentials, subject-matter expertise, and courtroom experience, not just language ability. This prevents mismatches that disrupt proceedings.
Can you provide interpreters for rare or indigenous languages in legal settings?
Yes. Our network covers 200+ languages and dialects, including Q'anjob'al, Mam, K'iche', Mixtec, Zapotec, and other indigenous languages frequently needed in immigration and legal proceedings. If your case involves a rare language, contact us, we maintain relationships with specialized interpreters nationwide.
What happens if my interpreter has a conflict or emergency?
For critical legal assignments, we maintain backup interpreters on standby. In 17 years and 15,000+ assignments, our on-time rate is 99.7%. If a last-minute change is needed, we handle the replacement immediately and notify you with the substitute interpreter's credentials.
Do you provide NDAs and confidentiality agreements for legal work?
Yes. Non-Disclosure Agreements and Confidentiality Agreements are standard practice for all legal assignments. Every interpreter is bound by professional codes of ethics that include strict confidentiality obligations. We provide signed agreements upon request.
How far in advance should I confirm a legal interpreter?
We recommend 48 hours for standard assignments and 1-2 weeks for depositions, trials, or multi-day proceedings. We accommodate urgent requests for most languages with a 98% match rate. For rare languages, additional lead time helps us identify the best-qualified interpreter.
Do you cover courts and law firms outside of California?
Yes. Our network of 7,000+ interpreters spans all 50 states. We deploy in-person interpreters to every major metro area and can reach rural courthouses. For remote locations, we also offer video and telephone interpretation as alternatives.
What is the difference between a court-certified and court-registered interpreter?
A court-certified interpreter has passed rigorous state or federal examinations demonstrating fluency, accuracy, and legal terminology mastery. A court-registered interpreter is listed with the court system but has not completed the full certification exam. For high-stakes legal proceedings, we recommend and primarily staff fully certified interpreters.
How much do legal interpreting services cost?
Pricing varies based on language pair, assignment type, location, and duration. We provide detailed, transparent quotes after understanding your specific requirements. Check availability or call (833) 547-7770, we respond within 4 hours.

Vendor Guide for Law Firms

Vetting an Interpreting Agency? Read the 7-Criteria Guide

Before you sign with any language vendor, our founder Alexandra Kaplan walks through the seven criteria that separate credentialed agencies from credible ones, including diplomatic-level credentials, MWBE certification, compliance record across 15,000+ assignments, and dialect-specific court-certified matching.

Read the full guide

Confirm Legal Interpreter Coverage

Share the case details. We'll match the right interpreter and confirm availability within 4 hours.

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