One mistranslated clause. Multiple interpretations. A $289 million verdict was on the line—all because of a breakdown in legal translation services.
This isn’t hypothetical; it was the reality for a nationally recognized law firm that took over a high-stakes breach of contract case connected to a $18 billion international refinery project. What should have been a straightforward argument about contract interpretation was anything but, because of a single mistranslated clause from their previous legal translation services provider.
And not just mistranslated once. Mistranslated multiple times. This is high-stakes legal translation.
The Case: Where Meaning Meets the Law
At the center of the case was a clause in a joint venture agreement. One party argued that this clause created a fiduciary obligation between the companies. Our client, the defense, insisted that no such duty had ever existed.
That disagreement is the kind that gets worked out in court. But the problem was that the original translation of the clause (from Spanish to English) was not only inaccurate—it was legally misleading.
The poor translation implied a fiduciary relationship where there was none. And it had already been used in core filings and shared during discovery, embedding ambiguity into the case’s foundation. As a result, years of legal wrangling had failed to move the case forward.
The defense was stuck in a holding pattern. The language was holding them back.
The Mistake: A Subtle Shift with High Stakes
Legal translation services are not just about translating words—it’s about translating intent. One misused verb or misplaced modifier can reshape the entire strategic foundation of a case.
The previous provider had taken a literal approach to the translation. It was technically correct on the surface, but critically flawed in context. The clause’s phrasing had read as though it confirmed a fiduciary duty, dramatically impacting the legal strategy and burden of proof.
This wasn’t just an inconvenient misstep—it had real consequences:
- Strategic confusion among the legal team
- Erosion of trust in language-based evidence
- Years of delays in litigation progress
- Weakened positioning for the defense going into trial
And with the trial fast approaching, the firm knew they couldn’t afford another error.
The Turning Point: Strategic Legal Translation Service Support in Action
Enter Morningside.
Our legal translation team was contacted during what seemed like a routine check-in. But within hours, it became clear this was anything but routine. We were asked to join an emergency call with the entire litigation team, where the scope and stakes were laid out.
We immediately understood that this wasn’t just about document turnaround but litigation rescue.
Our approach was swift, deliberate, and strategic.
Here’s what we did:
- Analyzed the original clause within the full legal context, not just in isolation
- Worked directly with the trial team to understand how the clause impacted their argument
- Built a legal-specific glossary that ensured consistent, case-aligned translation across all materials
- Deployed certified human linguists with subject matter expertise in commercial contract litigation
- Reviewed 1.5 million+ words across 150+ Spanish-language documents to identify potential inconsistencies
- Corrected and recertified the core clause, along with other key documents, in a format acceptable to the court
This wasn’t a language project. This was a legal strategy accelerator.
The Result: A Clear Argument—and a Convincing Win
Once the mistranslation was corrected by Morningside and aligned with the defense’s actual legal position, the team was able to move forward with confidence.
In just 7 hours of jury deliberation, the verdict returned: a total victory for the defense.
After years of stalled progress, the case finally had clarity because the language finally had integrity.
That one clause, once a liability, had become a strategic advantage.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters
This case illustrates something every litigation team should understand:
When language is unclear, strategy unravels.
When language is aligned, strategy sharpens.
Legal translation can not be treated as a “nice-to-have.” In high-stakes matters, it must be:
- Legally accurate
- Strategically aligned
- Certified and defensible in court
- Reviewed with intention, not just automation
Too often, legal language services are selected based on speed or cost alone. But if the translation shifts the meaning of one sentence, even one clause, it could reshape your entire case. This isn’t an exaggeration; this is precisely what happened here.
What We Learned (and What You Can Take Away)
- One clause can change everything. Never underestimate the power of a single phrase in high-value agreements.
- Literal isn’t always accurate. True legal accuracy means conveying the spirit of the law, not just the words.
- Context is everything. Good legal translators are embedded in the case strategy, not translating in a vacuum.
- Speed matters, but quality matters more. We delivered over 1.5 million words in one week, but never at the cost of clarity.
- Courtroom-ready means court-tested. Our translations met the presiding court’s format, certification, and integrity requirements.
Final Thought: When the Stakes Are High, Legal Translation Services Aren’t Optional
At Morningside, we don’t just translate—we translate to win.
This case clearly shows how strategic translation can unlock stalled litigation, support strong arguments, and influence case outcomes.
Whether you’re preparing for trial, managing multilingual discovery, or submitting filings abroad, we bring the legal fluency, responsiveness, and strategic insight you need when the stakes are high.
Want to explore how legal language services can bring clarity and determine the course of your next case?
Read the full case study or request a quote today.
TL;DR?
A single mistranslated clause in a joint venture agreement nearly cost a law firm a $289 million verdict. This real-life case shows how high-stakes litigation can unravel due to inaccurate legal translation. When Morningside stepped in, our strategic legal translation services corrected the error, supported the legal team’s argument, and helped secure a full defense victory. The takeaway? In complex litigation, precision in language isn’t optional—it’s everything.
About Morningside
Morningside, a Questel company, is a leading provider of legal translation and multilingual compliance services. We are trusted by AmLaw 200 firms and Fortune 500 corporations alike. We specialize in supporting law firms and legal departments through complex, high-stakes language matters, including cross-border transactions, regulatory filings, litigation, and IP protection.
Our proprietary platform, HUB, through HUBai combines secure AI translation technology with expert human oversight available by request. From early-stage document review to final certified deliverables, we offer scalable solutions tailored to your workflow and budget.
If you’re ready to explore HUB with HUBai, we’re now offering a free trial of our HUB+ Business Tier. You can translate up to 10 documents instantly, with no credit card required and no auto-renewal.
It’s a great way to test workflows for multilingual filings, M&A due diligence, or early-stage compliance review.
With full-format support for PDFs, Excel models, scans, board decks, and embedded file types, we help maintain formatting integrity even under urgent timelines. All services are backed by ISO-certified infrastructure, full liability insurance, and the ability to provide sworn affidavits or expert testimony when required. Whether you’re preparing for a filing, navigating a merger, or managing multilingual legal content at scale, Morningside ensures your translations are accurate, compliant, and ready for regulatory scrutiny.
Andrew Zinkand, Director of Business Development at Morningside, a Questel company, leads growth initiatives for the firm’s legal translation services. With nearly a decade of sales leadership, Andrew specializes in aligning cutting-edge language solutions with high-stakes legal workflows—particularly in eDiscovery, IP litigation, international arbitration, and global antitrust merger reviews. He works closely with law firms and in-house legal teams to streamline translation processes, integrate certified workflows, and ensure alignment between linguistic accuracy, legal compliance, and case strategy. Passionate about developing strong client relationships and solving complex problems, Andrew helps legal professionals reduce cost, mitigate risk, and ultimately, win in the courtroom.