Ethics/Professional Responsibility
Oct. 22, 2026
Beyond "Sí": From a translated conversation to an informed decision
A Spanish-speaking client's "sí" does not always mean informed consent. California lawyers must ensure clients understand their legal options, particularly when making consequential settlement decisions.
The insurance company has made an offer to settle the case. For a client facing medical bills and missed work, the number may sound significant, and the answer can come quickly: "Sí." The lawyer may believe the offer does not account for future care, lost time or how the collision changed the client's life. Ultimately, the decision belongs to the client. The more important question is whether the client fully understood what that "sí" meant.
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