Language Is Not a Barrier—It's a Weapon
The American legal system operates almost entirely in English. This isn't an accident—it's a feature. For generations, English-only policies have been used to exclude, marginalize, and exploit immigrant communities.
Employers rely on language barriers to steal wages and silence complaints. Landlords use complicated lease terms to trap tenants. Immigration enforcement weaponizes English to deny rights and coerce deportation. We refuse to let language be a tool of oppression.
Servicios en Español
En Cascade Legal, ofrecemos servicios legales completos en español. No necesita un traductor. No necesita sentirse avergonzado. Su idioma es bienvenido aquí.
Entendemos que muchos de nuestros clientes se sienten más cómodos hablando español, especialmente sobre asuntos tan importantes como su trabajo, su hogar, o el estatus migratorio de su familia. Hablamos su idioma—literal y figurativamente.
At Cascade Legal, we offer full legal services in Spanish. You don't need a translator. You don't need to feel embarrassed. Your language is welcome here.
We understand that many of our clients feel more comfortable speaking Spanish, especially about matters as important as their job, their home, or their family's immigration status. We speak your language—literally and figuratively.
What "Spanish Services" Means
- Consultations conducted entirely in Spanish
- Legal documents explained in Spanish
- Court preparation and practice in Spanish
- Spanish-language communication throughout your case
- Cultural understanding—not just language translation
This isn't translation through a third party. This is direct communication, as it should be.
Other Languages
Washington State is home to speakers of hundreds of languages. While our in-house services are in English and Spanish, we work to serve clients who speak other languages:
Note: Interpreter availability varies. Please let us know your language needs when you contact us so we can make appropriate arrangements.
The Politics of Language
"One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way."
— Frank Smith
Let's be clear about something: the push for "English only" in America has always been about exclusion, not communication. It's a tool of white supremacy, designed to marginalize immigrant communities and maintain power structures.
- German was widely spoken in America until anti-German hysteria during WWI led to violent suppression
- Spanish predates English in much of the American Southwest—yet Spanish speakers are told to "speak English"
- Indigenous languages were systematically destroyed through forced boarding schools that punished Native children for speaking their own languages
- Asian languages have been criminalized—Chinese immigrants were denied the right to testify in court in their own language
When someone tells you to "speak English," they're not concerned about communication. They're asserting dominance. We reject that.
Accessibility
Disability should never prevent you from accessing legal help. We are committed to making our services accessible:
📱 Remote Consultations
Phone and video consultations available for those who cannot travel to our office. Your legal case shouldn't depend on your ability to get to us.
♿ Physical Accessibility
Our office is wheelchair accessible. Please let us know of any specific needs when scheduling.
🤟 Communication Accommodations
We can arrange sign language interpreters, large-print documents, or other communication accommodations upon request.
🕐 Flexible Scheduling
We understand that chronic illness, caregiving responsibilities, and work schedules create barriers. We try to offer flexible appointment times.
If you have accessibility needs not listed here, please contact us. We're committed to finding solutions.
Disability & The Legal System
People with disabilities face compounded discrimination:
- Employment discrimination—disabled workers are denied jobs, denied accommodations, and pushed out of workplaces
- Housing discrimination—landlords refuse to make reasonable accommodations or use disability as a pretext for eviction
- Immigration barriers—the immigration system creates additional hurdles for people with disabilities
If you're facing discrimination related to disability in employment, housing, or immigration—contact us. These cases may fall within our practice areas.
Llámenos Hoy / Call Us Today
Don't let language or accessibility barriers stop you from getting help. Contact us and we'll figure out how to communicate.
Llame para ayuda: (206) 960-4566
Se habla español
Contacto / Contact