This requires her to not only ensure that the interpreters are accredited and proficient and speak the same language and dialect as their clients, but she also must account for her clients’ cultural sensitivities between genders and ethnic groups.

“Firstly, I need to understand what languages my client speaks proficiently. Then, I need to ensure that the interpreter speaks the same language and dialect,” Ms Kowalik told Lawyers Weekly.

“For example, I’ve been told that Sudanese Arabic is not Arabic. I’ve had to make sure I don’t get an Arabic interpreter.”

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Ms Kowalik noted that while she might use her clients’ family members to act as interpreters for administrative tasks and daily management, she would use a professional interpreter at the final stages of a mediation.

“Finding an interpreter can be tricky, particularly for some languages that are not widely spoken,” Ms Kowalik said.

“For instance, if you need a Somali interpreter, you might be able to get someone on the phone but not in person. In that situation, I might have an interpreter on the phone as well as a family member of the client in the room with me.”

Once Ms Kowalik finds an interpreter, she said she will provide background information about her client and their circumstances beforehand and the results she is attempting to achieve.

“I also make it clear that I don’t need their opinion in their translation. Some interpreters try to give advice,” she underscored.

Lawyers who are searching for interpreters for the first time can Google them and, over time, gauge who is reliable and who specialises in their line of work, Ms Kowalik said.

“It’s a case of trial and error. You’ll become familiar with interpreters as you go through the process with them a few times,” she assured.

Understanding cultural nuances

Ms Kowalik’s comments precede the Women in Law Forum 2023, where she and a panel of speakers will unpack how lawyers could work with clients from diverse backgrounds by building awareness and understanding cultural nuances.

She will also outline why empathy and respect are key to building trust with clients and how to eliminate biased racial views to service them effectively.

Ms Kowalik is Nigerian and understands norms within her culture, such as respecting elders and how to behave with others from her background.

She also studied in an international school in Papua New Guinea and has lived in different countries, which has exposed her to different cultures and armed her with knowledge about their norms, commonalities, and cultural nuances.

She said her lived experience has given her an “edge” on how to interact with clients from diverse backgrounds.

“If language is an issue, I speak clearly and simplify concepts to give them that safe space to be themselves, and make sure they feel heard,” Ms Kowalik said.

“It’s about practising simple human courtesies so the clients feel safe enough to engage with me. Some clients might not shake my hand because a man might not shake a woman’s hand in their culture. Taking an interest in the groups of people around you is important.”

Alongside this, Ms Kowalik explains the law in simplified terms without the legalese to all her clients, regardless of their backgrounds.

“I also encourage clients to ask lots of questions because then I know that they’re processing the information, thinking about it, and coming back to me with questions,” she added.

How to boost your cultural awareness

As for how other lawyers could increase their cultural awareness, Ms Kowalik encouraged them to attend seminars offered by individual law societies or cultural competency workshops offered by firms.

Researching cultural groups is also critical to understanding nuances, she said, along with asking for advice from other colleagues and attending cultural events and interacting with people from cultural groups.

“As a lawyer, you need to communicate with clients to get instructions and advise them adequately. This is the foundation of law,” she concluded.

“Australia is a multicultural society, not a monolithic group. So, be alert to different considerations and know that it’s not one size fits all. It’s important to be sophisticated in understanding the group you’re dealing with.”

To hear more from Olamide Kowalik on how lawyers can arm themselves with the skills to service clients from diverse backgrounds, come along to the Women in Law Forum 2023.

It will be held on Thursday, 23 November 2023, at Crown Melbourne.

Click here to buy tickets and don’t miss out!

For more information, including agenda and speakers, click here.