CSUN Student Collaboration with the LA Superior Court Recognized by the San Fernando Valley Bar Association

Dr. Adrian Perez-Boluda, Judge Shirley Watkins, Dr. Svetlana V. Tyutina

In February 2019, CSUN Spanish graduate students were recognized by the San Fernando Valley Bar Association for their work as Spanish/English volunteer interpreters during the pro-bono Family Law Department's event Settle-O-Rama at the LA Superior Court. It is the first time when Spanish interpreting is offered at no cost to litigants during these free mediation services significantly expediting the resolution of the cases referred to Settle-O-Rama. The event took place in November 2018, and students had a unique opportunity to prepare for their role through direct interactions, observations, discussions, and mock sessions with Judges and court interpreters.

Judge Shirley Watkins, who received the Administration of Justice award for spearheading the project on the court side, also recognized the CSUN project coordinator, Dr. Svetlana V. Tyutina and the invaluable support of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures (MCLL) and its chairperson. Dr. Adrian Perez-Boluda. The San Fernando Valley Bar Association described this project as highly successful and critical for improving access to justice for speakers of other languages. The project is expected to expand in the coming years and become a staple part of the MCLL translation/Interpreting program.