When high stakes collide with poor translations, the risk isn’t just reputational, it’s case-determining. This truth came into sharp focus for one nationally recognized law firm when it inherited a $289 million breach of contract lawsuit.
The case had already been derailed once by flawed translations that compromised the legal argument. With a looming trial date and millions on the line, they needed a partner who understood that legal translation isn’t just about language but litigation strategy.
They turned to Morningside. And what followed was a complete legal turnaround.
The Challenge: Their Previous Translation Partner Mistranslated a Clause in a $18B Deal
At the core of this high-profile case was a single clause buried in a joint venture agreement. The agreement was part of an $18 billion international refinery project, and the language in question addressed fiduciary obligations between the parties involved.
The plaintiff argued that the clause established a fiduciary relationship that had been violated. The defense disagreed, asserting that no such obligation existed. However, the original translations, provided by a previous language services firm, failed to preserve the clause’s nuance and legal intent. Instead of clarifying, the translations introduced ambiguity, undermining the defense’s legal position and creating confusion that lingered for years.
Compounding the issue, the law firm’s current translation vendor proved incapable of managing the complexity and pace required. They mistranslated key terms, missed deadlines, and lacked the responsiveness needed for active trial support.
By Morningside’s arrival, the case had been “stuck in the mud” for years. The firm was frustrated and running out of time and needed a language partner who could do more than translate—a partner who could help them win.
Our Approach: Urgency, Context, and Legal Precision
Our involvement began with what seemed like a routine check-in call on a Wednesday. The attorney’s response was simple but urgent: “We have something for you now.”
Within hours, Morningside was on a high-stakes video call with the trial team. The urgency was apparent—and so was the opportunity to turn the case around with the proper support.
We immediately embedded ourselves into the litigation effort, operating as a vendor and an extension of the firm’s legal team. From that first call, we:
- Gathered case context: Understanding the specific legal stakes and the strategic arguments at play.
- Assembled a global team: Using our follow-the-sun model, we mobilized resources across time zones for continuous progress.
- Launched full-scale translation: Over 150 Spanish-language documents were distributed to certified legal linguists within 24 hours.
- Created a legal-specific glossary: Ensuring consistency, accuracy, and strategic alignment across all deliverables.
By Thursday, work was fully underway. Within a week, we had translated more than 1.5 million words without compromising quality, accuracy, or deadlines.
What We Did Differently
This wasn’t just about speed. It was about precision, trust, and legal expertise. Here’s what sets our approach apart:
1. Custom Glossaries Built for Legal Intent
Literal translations were the source of the original problem. Our glossaries focused on legal meaning and intent, ensuring that every term aligned with the trial strategy, not just the dictionary.
2. Certified Human Translation
Our linguists were legal translation experts with experience in cross-border litigation. They understood how a single phrase could shape the interpretation of fiduciary duties and affect a court’s decision.
3. Interpreter Support for Courtroom Presence
We provided professional interpreters to support live proceedings, ensuring clarity and confidence in real-time communication.
4. Rolling Delivery Model
We delivered translated documents as they were completed, giving the legal team time to review and prepare, even as the scope expanded and new filings were added.
5. Court-Ready Deliverables
From Bates numbering to formatting for certification, every document met the requirements of the presiding court.
The result? A seamless, responsive process that restored clarity where confusion had existed and gave the legal team the support they needed to focus on winning the case, not managing translations.
The Outcome: A $289M Legal Victory
The trial lasted 10 days. The jury deliberated for 7 hours. The defense won—completely.
That one mistranslated clause? Now corrected, it became the cornerstone of the defense’s argument, providing the linguistic clarity and legal consistency the jury needed to reach a confident verdict.
Our translations enabled the team to make a coherent, compelling case. And they noticed.
“Your team was fantastic wire to wire,” said the lead trial attorney.
“Delivered excellent written and live translations on a timeline that the other translation companies said was impossible. The translations told the true story and helped us overwhelm our opponent early and throughout the jury trial after years of the case being stuck in the mud.”
The senior partner added, “Your work was truly the difference between winning and losing.”
Trust Built and Extended
Following the verdict, the firm extended our partnership into other matters across languages, including Korean, Greek, and Portuguese—testament to the level of trust established through our collaboration.
They no longer see translation as a task. They see it as a critical component of trial strategy.
And that’s how it should be.
Why It Mattered
Too often, legal translation is treated as an afterthought. But language can be the difference between a compelling argument and a compromised one in high-stakes litigation.
A translation that introduces ambiguity or deviates from legal intent weakens the entire case. But when language is precise, strategic, and court-ready, it becomes a tool for advocacy.
At Morningside, we don’t just deliver translations. We deliver clarity, confidence, and courtroom credibility.
Want to see the full breakdown of how strategic language support changes litigation outcomes?
Why Choose Morningside for Legal Translation in International Arbitration?
We offer specialized legal translation services designed to meet the needs of corporate legal departments and law firms engaged in international arbitration. Our team of expert translators has in-depth knowledge of legal terminology and the arbitration process, ensuring that every document is translated with precision and accuracy. We leverage advanced translation management systems to maintain consistency and accuracy across all materials, and our rigorous quality assurance process includes multiple layers of review to ensure the highest quality standards.
At Morningside, a Questel Company, we understand the importance of confidentiality in legal matters. Our secure systems and strict confidentiality protocols ensure that your sensitive information remains protected throughout translation. By partnering with Morningside, you can be confident that your legal translations will be handled with the care and expertise needed to support effective and fair arbitration proceedings.
Legal translation is a critical component of international arbitration, particularly when parties from different jurisdictions are involved. By working with specialized legal translators, leveraging technology for consistency, and implementing a rigorous quality assurance process, corporate legal departments and law firms can ensure that their client’s rights are protected and that arbitration proceedings run smoothly. Morningside’s expertise in legal translation for international arbitration can help you achieve the best possible outcomes in cross-border disputes, ensuring that language barriers do not hinder the pursuit of justice.
Contact Us Today
Need help with legal translations for international arbitration? Contact Morningside today to learn how we can support your arbitration needs with precision, expertise, and confidentiality.
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.