This fall, UGA Law students have the opportunity to enroll in a new Legal Spanish course taught by Professor Kristen Shepherd, Community Health Law Partnership Clinic Staff Attorney & Adjunct Instructor.

Professor Shepherd conceptualized and proposed the course as two consecutive courses, Legal Spanish I and Legal Spanish II, both offered for one credit. Each course teaches students Spanish language skills used in legal settings with a focus on listening and speaking comprehension. They also provide students with a broad overview of the basics of the legal systems in Spanish-speaking countries to enable students to communicate legal concepts more accurately and efficiently.

The opportunity for students to learn Spanish for use in legal careers has taken several forms over the past decade at UGA Law. It began as a club led by Pedro Dorado (J.D. ‘17, LL.M. ‘15) before moving to a lunchtime study session led by two students who had completed Global Externships, one in a Spanish-speaking country. During the pandemic, Legal Spanish once again became a club that met regularly on Zoom.

Across changes in instructors and format, the ability to hone Spanish language skills specific to the legal profession has continued to be a goal that students felt strongly about institutionalizing. Third-year student Patricia Fors was a driving force behind turning this club into a for-credit course. Since Spring 2022, Ms. Fors has worked with Center faculty and staff to communicate the student demand for the course and to provide a student perspective on the course proposals.

“There is a high demand for attorneys able to effectively communicate with Spanish-speaking clients,” Ms. Fors communicated to us in an email. “I’m incredibly proud to attend a law school committed to breaking down one of the barriers that Hispanic communities face accessing the legal system.”

Professor Shepherd agreed with Ms. Fors’ sentiment, stating: “I am inspired by the student movement that led to this course—it is a reflection of our students’ dedication to providing first rate legal representation to a traditionally underserved population with diligence and sensitivity. I am confident that this will lead to better legal outcomes and client relationships.”

The inaugural course enrolled 17 students, all of whom speak conversational Spanish. Not only will they benefit from this new course, but so will the clients and communities they work with across their careers.

For more information about Legal Spanish, please contact Professor Shepherd.