The ATA Chronicle - May/June 2017 - 10

OUTREACH REPORT continued

The driving force behind this presentation came
from the realization that the level of knowledge,
experience, and comprehension for many attorneys,
paralegals, and court personnel was uneven at best.

Janet C. Fasy
Deputy Court Administrator
Court Reporters, Digital Recorders and Interpreters,
First Judicial District

Tsiwen M. Law, Esq.
Law & Associates, L.L.C., Philadelphia

Rodolfo P. Téllez (Rudy)
National Board Certified Medical Interpreter
Pennsylvania Court Certified Interpreter
Conference Interpreter
Faculty and coordinator of the Interpreter and Translation
Master's program at La Salle University
Each panelist brought to light their role in supporting language
access in proceedings, as well as providing the fascinating
trajectory of the professional evolution in each of their roles in
this continuously evolving practice. Using case studies, expert
practitioners addressed the challenges and obstacles, ethical
dilemmas, and cultural considerations in their work. They
offered practical solutions, some technology trends, forecasts, and
resources. The presentation material was very well received with a
great deal of interest.
10

The ATA Chronicle | May/June 2017

In addition to the receptiveness to the core legal information,
all of the ATA literature, including Interpreting: Getting it Right and
half of the Translation brochures, were taken by attendees. These
materials were placed strategically at the front of the room and
the first break was used to bring everyone's attention to them. A
useful correlation was made during this time to help attendees
understand how my local chapter, the Delaware Valley Translators
Association (DVTA), works in concert with ATA, applying
the comparison of the Philadelphia Bar Association's dynamic
relationship to the American Bar Association with respect to
policy, guidance, standards, etc.
A true test of a successful presentation is if one is asked to
return and provide another. I was told afterwards that everyone
appreciated the complexity of our job and the dedication to
accuracy, excellence, and professional conduct. There is an
appetite and willingness from the legal community to learn
and cooperate with language professionals in support of LEP
individuals. One participant mentioned a renewed interest in
our profession because of the recent executive orders from the
new White House administration. There is also a great interest in
the increasing role of technology and how the trends will impact
the courts and other legal procedure in the near future. The
Philadelphia Bar Association has invited me back to speak more at
length on this topic later in the year.
I was honored and proud to represent our terrific
organization. This was another crucial step toward establishing
and gaining respect for our profession in an ideal setting to a
receptive target audience. It was truly a win/win situation in
which attendees left with valuable, practical knowledge. The
quality of due process is preserved and enhanced by educating
potential buyers of translation and interpreting. In turn, we are
able to promote our members.
An idea: The format and content could be easily adapted to other
cities/states with their own Bar associations, presented by other
resident ATA translators or interpreters well versed in their state's
legal administration of language services and pooling from local
resources for panelists. I would be happy to share my presentation
with anyone interested. 
Antonio (Tony) Guerra, chair of ATA's Chapters
Committee and the current president of the Delaware
Valley Translators Association (DVTA), has more than 20
years of experience in the management, marketing, and
development of multicultural communications services.
A native of Havana, Cuba, he has worked as an
independent contractor as well as in-house with companies and agencies.
He is a Spanish<>English translator and interpreter specializing in legal,
medical, government, and marketing. Besides chairing ATA's Chapters
Committee and DVTA's Public Relations and Certification Committees, he
is also highly involved in numerous volunteer activities for ATA, including
serving the Interpretation Policy Advisory Committee, the Public Relations
Committee's Speakers Forum, and ATA's Mentoring Program. Contact:
aeguerra@aol.com.
www.atanet.org
http://www.atanet.org
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The ATA Chronicle - May/June 2017
