Services
As a trilingual translator (German/French >< English & German >< French) and Certified Florida State Court Interpreter, included in the Registry of Language Skilled Court Interpreters (Certification # 25-00699), I offer legal translations and interpretation services for depositions, mediations, arbitrations, hearings, and any other court proceedings. My work is defined by excellence, engagement, and unparalleled dedication to precision, detail, and timely responsiveness.
About me at a glance
Hello, my name is Ilona Sobczak
Thank you for your interest. Please let me briefly introduce myself: I have dual citizenship (American/Belgian). I originally come from Belgium, but my job brought me to the US in 1993. Since I have lived and worked for more than half of my life in the US, I became trilingual (German / French / English), which is my greatest asset as a translator and interpreter. I acquired permanent residence through my employer in 2002 and US citizenship independently in 2009.
Certified State Court Interpreter based in Florida providing interpretation and translation services in the legal field
Are you a law firm or an attorney seeking a Florida-based German- or French-speaking interpreter for depositions, mediations, arbitrations, hearings, or other legal proceedings? I am a Certified Florida State Court Interpreter, offering professional translation and interpretation services for any legal cases, remotely and/or in-person. With over 30 years of experience, I provide accurate, confidential, and timely support for attorneys and professionals in the legal field.
Education
- 11/19/2024: Successfully passed the Written Exam administered by the State Courts Administrator Office of Florida (Court Interpreter Certification and Regulation Program) – Approved by the Court Interpreter Certification Board (CICB) as a registered German interpreter as of 12/17/2024 and subsequently went in for the OPIs to become a Certified German Interpreter - included in the Registry of Language Skilled Court Interpreters (Certification # 25-00699) effective October 28, 2025 after having been awarded the ACTFL Superior German & English Proficiency Certificate, respectively issued on 02/26/25 and 10/27/25.
- 02/14/2023: Successfully passed the Florida Teacher Certification Examination in French (K-12)
- 06/23/1997: Belgian State Exam: Translator/Reviewer – Ref.: 68022521886 / CFG97045
- 1991–1992: Teaching Certification acquired at the “Institut Saint Laurent” in Liège, Belgium
- 1987-1991: "Institut Libre Marie Haps", Catholic University of Louvain-la-Neuve, Brussels, Belgium : Licencié-Traducteur (recognized as Master's in Translation in the US)
- July 1991: Scholarship in Germanic Languages, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
Professional Experience
- 2023: US Government Adjudication for Tier 3 IT / Level II access (access to classified information).
- 03/13/2023 – 05/31/2023: Long-term substitute French teacher / Community School of Naples (CSN)
- August 1, 2021 - Present: Self-employed as Freelance Translator and Interpreter (German/French >< English).
- 03/03/1998 – 06/03/2021: ASG Technologies, Inc. (Naples, Florida, USA): Executive Assistant & Translator; Senior HR Translator in charge of HR/legal translations (FR/GE >< EN).
- 1991 – 1998: Translator and Editor roles at J.P. Morgan Trust Company of NY, European Committee for Standardization (CEN), and Law Office Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton (Brussels, Belgium); Language Teacher at College for Economics "Institut Sainte Marie" in Liège, Belgium.
“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” – Nelson Mandela
My Clients Include
"Thanks Ilona, You have been a joy to work with and we hope we have the opportunity to use your services again in the future!"
- David R., International Justice Mission
Contact
Phone: +1 239 249 9862
Email: ilonarsobczak@gmail.com