Gabriela Raful presented a continuing judicial education course, or CJE, titled: “Improving Access to Justice: Judges and Court Interpreters Working Together”. Gabby gave the CJE along with Mary Vilter, Esquire, and the Honorable J. Benjamin Nevius of the Berks County Court of Common Pleas.
In most states across the country, judges are required to complete a certain number of CJE credit hours. These courses cover a broad variety of topics and span across nearly every practice area. Not only are CJEs educational, but they also allow judges to further develop their skills.
The CJE that Gabby presented focused on how critical court interpreters are as a resource for clients who are deaf, hard of hearing, or limited English speakers. Hearing impaired individuals and non-native English speakers often face an array of obstacles when they file a legal claim. Without language access, or the ability to understand and freely participate in the legal process due to linguistic barriers, far too many clients are left in the dark and to fend for themselves. Court interpreters play a particularly critical role for individuals who speak a different language than the attorneys representing them, or who are hearing disabled.
As a partner at Galfand Berger and a fluent Spanish and English speaker, Gabby understands the trials that non-native speakers and hearing disabled people experience. When she first arrived on the East Coast from the Dominican Republic, Gabby hardly spoke any English herself. As a bilingual Spanish and English speaker, Gabby has a unique understanding of how important it is to keep clients in the loop – as well as ensure that they are able to ask questions, provide crucial case information, and much more.
Gabby currently handles workers’ compensation, personal injury, products liability, and social security matters. She is a fierce defender of workers’ rights and is dedicated to fighting on behalf of injured individuals. If you would like to speak with a member of Gabby’s team, please contact a representative at our firm directly who can help.
With offices located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, Galfand Berger serves clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. To schedule a consultation, call us at 800-222-8792 or complete our online contact form.