Join veteran translator and educator Tom West for an in-depth exploration of the trickiest, most confusing, and regionally specific terms in legal French. This practical session, delivered by a former president of the American Translators Association, cuts through decades of expertise to reveal the hidden meanings and false cognates that catch even experienced translators off guard.
Discover legal terms that contradict their obvious meanings, expressions easily mixed up in context, and vocabulary that shifts between everyday and legal usage. The session covers terminology across France, Belgium, and Switzerland—including distinctions between national legal systems—plus expressions no longer in use and terms unfamiliar to native speakers. The presentation concludes with an overview of the French court system as of 2026 and upcoming reforms.
Tom West holds a Juris Doctor and has taught French legal translation at three U.S. universities. He is an ATA-certified translator from French, Spanish, German, and Dutch, and has authored three published legal dictionaries. A dynamic international speaker, he brings real courtroom insight and practical problem-solving to every session.
