Cal State East Bay Launches Bilingual Legal Spanish Course to Expand Access to Justice

In California, speaking Spanish can open doors, build trust and expand access to critical services. With more than 28 percent of Californians age 5 and older speaking Spanish at home, it is the state's second-most spoken language after English, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey. Yet despite its importance, bilingual legal professionals remain in short supply. This fall, Cal State East Bay is helping address that gap by launching a new Bilingual Legal Spanish course through its ABA-approved Paralegal Studies Certificate Program, making it one of only two institutions in California to offer bilingual legal training within an ABA-approved paralegal program - and the only CSU to do so.

Taught by Cal State East Bay Assistant Professor of Writing, Languages, and Literatures Gabriela Díaz-Dávalos, Ph.D., the fully online, asynchronous course will introduce students to legal terminology, cultural competency and the language skills needed to navigate the U.S. legal system in both English and Spanish.

"Understanding legal language is one of the most important tools citizens can have," said Dr. Díaz-Dávalos. "It's important to know our rights, and this course will reduce linguistic barriers and promote greater equity in legal services."

The new course is intended for students interested in legal terminology, professionals whose work requires bilingual communication and anyone seeking a better understanding of legal language and access to justice, said Dr. Díaz-Dávalos. Whether students pursue careers in law, social work, public service, or community advocacy, the course aims to equip them with practical language skills that can make legal information more accessible.

Coursework will introduce legal vocabulary used in areas such as family law, immigration, employment, labor rights and court procedures, while also covering concepts such as affidavits, jurisdiction, ethics and amnesty. The course will also emphasize how legal language is used in real-world situations by examining legal forms, client-facing materials and case-based scenarios to better understand how to communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking clients.

Although designed as an introductory course focused primarily on terminology, Dr. Díaz-Dávalos said it will also emphasize the cultural context behind the language.

"Being bilingual is more than speaking two languages," said Dr. Díaz-Dávalos. "It means you really speak two cultures." Understanding the cultural nuances connected to legal communication, she added, is essential for professionals working with diverse communities.

The course was developed with the assistance of Alex Lubarsky, LL.M., an instructor in Cal State East Bay's Paralegal Studies Certificate Program who has practiced law for more than 30 years. Lubarsky said California's demographics make bilingual legal professionals increasingly essential, especially for Spanish-speaking clients who may struggle to access legal services because of language barriers.

"Those who only speak Spanish are regularly denied access to legal representation because of that language barrier and that's why this course is so important," Lubarsky said.

Drawing from decades of legal experience, Lubarsky said his ability to speak Spanish shaped his career. Approximately 80 percent of his clients have been Spanish speakers, and he regularly receives referrals from attorneys unable to represent clients because of their lack of Spanish.

"Because of this course, the Spanish-speaking community will gain access to legal professionals they perhaps would not otherwise have access to," said Lubarsky. Bilingual legal professionals are needed across virtually every area of law, including family law, business disputes, estate planning, employment matters and personal injury cases, he added.

"This course is special, and it's something that is in demand," said Lubarsky. "This will be hugely beneficial to Spanish-speaking clients, legal professionals and entire communities."