Translation, editing, and copywriting for the law, business, and academia
Nicholas Corwin, LL.M., DipTrans
Translation encompasses far more than language alone. To be sure, language skills are indispensable, but they are only the beginning. Translators must also possess competency in the subject matter—and in the legal profession, that is extensive. Every country’s legal system addresses the same fundamental issues: contracts, negligence, bankruptcy, injury, sales, real estate, intellectual property, taxation, litigation, individual rights, appeals, and judgments, to mention just a few. Ultimately, it’s about liability. You need a translator with both theoretical and practical understanding of the subject matter—namely, the law.
My task, as a translator, is to surmount linguistic, technical, and cultural barriers to understanding. This objective is distinct from the practice of law itself. Clearly, the legal systems of Germany and the United States differ. Having been educated and trained in the U.S., rather than in Germany, I am not a Rechtsanwalt (a lawyer admitted to practice in Germany), but rather an Attorney at Law, admitted to the bar in California. To reiterate: in my capacity as a translator, I do not offer legal advice. Yet when you retain me to translate a legal document, the final product—just like the original—will be a document drafted by a lawyer.
- German-to-English Translator (since 2012) in the fields of law, business, and academia
- Diploma in Translation (DipTrans), Chartered Institute of Linguists, London
- C2 (Grosses Deutsches Sprachdiplom) in German proficiency, Goethe Institute, Düsseldorf
- LL.M. (Master of Laws) in Business and Taxation, University of the Pacific-McGeorge School of Law, Sacramento, California
- J.D. (Juris Doctor) in law, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas
- M.A. (Master of Arts) in German History, San Diego State University
- B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) in literature and political science, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Member of the State Bar of California in continuous good standing (no. 170276)
- Professional background in the law, merchant marine, military, and academia
Translation, Editing, and Copywriting
Terminology:
specialized vocabulary and usage relevant to the subject matter and field
Register:
appropriate language level, for example, formal, conversational, or casual
Research:
comprehensive review and proper citation of sources in accordance with industry standards
English:
flawless grammar, syntax, structure, use of idiomatic expressions, and collocations
Clarity:
polished texts
that read as though drafted in English in the first place
Law and Business
Contracts, prospectuses, Terms & Conditions
Reports and promotional material, marketing
Court judgments, expert opinions
Trial and appellate briefs and memoranda
Due diligence, taxation, and transactional documents
Scholarly articles and other legal material
Literature and Academia
Articles for publication
Theses and dissertations
Papers, essays, and reports
Memoirs and correspondence
Book-length projects
Why retain me? How can you benefit?
Education & Certification
Aristotle was surely correct: The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet. In my work, I regularly draw upon a foundation of a classical, humanistic education. Beyond university life, I continued investing in professional development, culminating in the Goethe Institute’s C2 in German and the Diploma in Translation (DipTrans) from the Chartered Institute of Linguists in London, regarded as the gold standard of translator qualifications.
Experience
Germany and the U.S.
My ability to translate effectively is also enhanced by a broad understanding of Germany and its culture. In addition to completing postgraduate work in German history and literature, I have lived and worked in the country for nearly a decade. Nevertheless, sound professional practice means translating solely into my native language—English—while maintaining close ties to my country of origin, the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
Since each text is unique, a preliminary review is necessary before an exact quote is provided. Following this preliminary step, I will send you a clear, detailed quote for the translation, editing, or writing work involved. Even after the final delivery of the materials, you continue to be my client. So any quoted figure will always include two rounds of feedback. Generally, translations are billed by the word (of the German source text), and editing/proofreading on an hourly basis.
The industry standard for translation is 2,500 source-text words per business day. Depending on the complexity, urgency, and the extent of any research necessary for a particular project, this pace may vary. Upon reviewing your text, I will provide you a fixed and binding delivery date.
Yes. Professional ethics absolutely require that all communication, data, information, and documents remain entirely privileged and confidential. Whether or not you ultimately decide to retain my services, you can rest assured that I shall never disclose any of your information or data to any third party.
Please contact me using the website contact form or via email, so that we can readily keep track of all communication and conversations. Of course, you are always welcome to schedule a phone call as well.
German, natürlich! To me, language fluency encompasses all four major skill areas: reading, writing, hearing, and speaking. You can discuss every topic—regardless of its complexity—with me in German. If you are not a German speaker, I am of course equally prepared to conduct business with you in English.
Absolutely. In today’s business environment, transparency is vitally important. You, as a client, have every right to complete assurance as to your translator’s claims of formal education and professional training. You can verify my credentials using the following links:
- The State Bar of California, in its capacity as a licensing body, administers the bar examination and regulates the legal profession: https://apps.calbar.ca.gov/attorney/Licensee/Detail/170276
- The CIOL (Chartered Institute of Linguists) in London issues the Diploma in Translation (DipTrans):
https://authentiqual.com/v/?AQ=3ad395c6-e5cb-4931-8f1f-a4e3fb2f5b6a - The National Student Clearinghouse, in the United States, verifies university degrees:
https://studentclearinghouse.info/verificationshelp/https://studentclearinghouse.info/verificationshelp/knowledge-base/frequently-asked-questions-verification-services/
Contact
Nicholas Corwin, LL.M., DipTrans
Neue Sülze 20
D-21335 Lüneburg
Germany
+49 176 87 78 03 82
+49 4131 2 21 46 00
nicholas@scribens-vobis.com
