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Greg Smith, market president of Jacksonville for Bank of America, says grants and partnerships can help address the need for affordable housing.
Greg Smith, market president of Jacksonville for Bank of America, said the bank maintains its commitment to boost affordable housing.
The bank nationwide last year committed $5 billion over five years to help more than 20,000 low-to moderateincome earners get on the path toward affordable, sustainable homeownership, Smith said.
Bank of America says it helps modest-income borrowers buy homes with grant programs that reduce down payments and provide closing cost assistance.
Other options offer low down payments and fixed-rate loans without requiring mortgage insurance.
Since 2016, Bank of America says it has provided $106 million in debt and equity financing over three projects to create 450 affordable housing units in Jacksonville.
Smith acknowledges the strength of the residential housing market in Northeast Florida through the growth of new home and apartment construction, rising home prices and increasing rents.
Smith said Bank of America takes a disciplined approach to the residential mortgage business.
“We advocate an advising approach to homebuying, having a positive conversation with borrowers about what is an affordable mortgage payment that fits their income stream and overall budget,” he said.
There remain challenges to buying homes.
“Even though our cost of living is still favorable compared to the rest of the state, rents and buying a home are still a challenge for those in our community” earning below median incomes, Smith said.
He said that earning “$12 to $15 an hour is challenging to afford an apartment. You are probably only able to pay $600 or so, which can’t get you a two-bedroom apartment.”
“You’re going to need more money and that’s either you’re working a lot more hours or you are not in an apartment that really works for a family of three or four.”
Apartment demand remains strong, according to the Colliers International 2019 multifamily report for the Jacksonville area.
The report shows a consistent occupancy rate of 94% for almost the past five years, partly due to increased population, employment and income growth.
Average monthly rental rates continue to rise, with rents increasing at a faster rate for older apartments geared toward low-income earners. Overall average monthly rental rates rose 2.3% between 2018-19.
Rents for older units built before the 1970s rose 7.7%, while rates were up 3.3% for apartments built during the ‘70s. Newer units saw rents rise from 1.5 to 2.5%.
Older apartments continued to rent for less. Vintage 1970s and older apartments leased on average for $884 a month or lower, while newer units charged more. The newest leased for an average $1,260. Smith said that presents an opportunity for Bank of America to focus on programs to stimulate affordable housing. “We partner with the Local Initiatives Support Corp., Ability Housing and others with grants and offer lowerrate financing to bring in more affordable multifamily housing inventory to address the need,” Smith said.
The Bank of America Neighborhood Builders program issued $200,000 grants to LISC in 2016 and to Ability Housing in 2017.
The single-family housing market cycle has been more disciplined than before the lead-up to the 2007-09 recession, when more houses existed than could be sold.
Current demand has stressed the available housing supply, which can increase prices if demand continues to outpace supply and development costs increase.
Northeast Florida Builders Association data shows the number of single-family and townhome building permits issued in Duval, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns counties was 4.3% higher in 2019, with 10,345 permits compared to 9,918 permits in 2018.
That continues a trend that began in 2012. Permits are up 143% since then.
The Northeast Florida Association of Realtors 2019 annual report shows the overall median home sales price increased 5.4% to $233,990 in 2019 from $222,000 in 2018. Median means half of homes sold for more and half sold for less.
The median sales price for single-family homes increased by 3.4% year-over-year from $237,000 to $245,000, while more affordable townhomes and condominiums rose 5.3% from $159,000 to $168,000. Bank of America wants to support access to affordable housing.
No one, Smith said, wants to return to the post-recession levels of mortgage default. “We are two or three years past all that,” he said.
GREG SMITH, MARKET PRESIDENT OF JACKSONVILLE FOR BANK OF AMERICA
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Top commercial sales of the week
BY SCOTT SAILER • STAFF WRITER
Here are the top 10 commercial real estate sales in Northeast Florida, comprising Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties. The sales were recorded Feb. 10-14.
DUVAL $8,000,000 Wigmore Street, Jacksonville
Type: Industrial Parcel size: Not available Buyer: Keystone Investments II LLC Seller: Georgia Southern and Florida Railway Co. ST. JOHNS $6,864,500 Silver Forest Drive, Saint Johns
Type: 74 residential lots in Silverleaf Village Parcel size: Not available Buyer: Riverside Homes of North Florida Inc. Seller: Land Planners Development II Inc.
DUVAL $2,275,000 11554 Davis Creek Court, Jacksonville
Type: Office/warehouse Parcel size: 2.46 acres Building size: Four buildings totaling 21,062 square feet Buyer: ECS Jacksonville Properties LLC Seller: ROK Properties NP LLP ST. JOHNS $2,157,300 County Road 210 West, St. Augustine
Type: 26 residential lots in Beacon Lakes Phases 2A and 2C Parcel size: Not available Buyer: Dream Finders Homes LLC Seller: Heartwood 23 LLC
The office building at 8775 Baypine Road sold for $3.8 million.
ST. JOHNS $6,864,500 Silver Forest Drive, Saint Johns
Type: 74 residential lots in Silverleaf Village Parcel size: Not available Buyer: Ashley Homes LLC Seller: Land Planners Development II Inc. DUVAL $3,800,000 8775 Baypine Road, Jacksonville
Type: Office Parcel size: 5.81 acres Buyer: Prudential Investment LLC Seller: LSOP 3 FL 6 LLC
File image
DUVAL $2,860,000 Scaup Way, Jacksonville
Type: 53 residential lots Parcel size: Not available Buyer: Richmond American Homes of Florida LP Seller: Heron Cove Reserve LLC
ST. JOHNS $1,915,000 Pioneer Village Drive, Nocatee
Type: 28 residential lots in Crosswater Village Phase 2 Parcel size: Not available Buyer: Providence Construction Co. Seller: Sonoc Co. LLC ST. JOHNS $1,786,050 Crosswater Lake Drive, Nocatee
ST. JOHNS $1,700,000 8000 U.S. 1 S., St. Augustine
Type: 21 residential lots in Crosswater Village Phase 3 Parcel size: Not available Buyer: Jax Construction Holdings LLC Type: Agriculture Parcel size: 120.22 acres Buyer: BAB of St. Augustine Seller: Point on Realty Previous sale: $1,550,000 in 2013 Seller: Sonoc Co. LLC
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The Jacksonville-based shopping center company has one Earth Fare and three Lucky’s Market stores in its portfolio.
As major retailers continue to file for bankruptcy and close stores, shopping center developers like Regency Centers Corp. already have been managing a difficult environment for the past couple of years. But Jacksonville-based Regency, which focuses on shopping centers anchored by supermarkets, might be facing new challenges in 2020. Recent Chapter 11 filings by specialty grocers Lucky’s Market and Earth Fare portend a shake-up in the industry as those chains close their stores.
However, Regency CEO Lisa Palmer says well-run grocery chains will weather the storm. “We really want to make sure that we’re aligning ourselves with the better operators, with strong balance sheets and with the ability to reinvest back in their business,” Palmer said last week during Regency’s quarterly conference call with analysts.
“Certainly, smaller operators and especially those with higher leverage are facing more of an uphill battle, no question,” she said.
“It doesn’t mean that all regional, smaller grocers are not going to be able to survive and thrive in this environment. But they have to have the ability to reinvest back in the business in the in-store experience as well as technology, delivery and everything that’s happening in the world of grocery.” Regency operated 419 properties across the country at year-end, many of them anchored by large chains such as Publix, which has 68 stores in Regency shopping centers. The company listed one
File image Regency Centers CEO Lisa Palmer expects “muted growth” as major retailers continue to close stores.
Earth Fare and three Lucky’s stores in its portfolio.
Regency’s properties were 94.8% leased at the end of 2019.
The company recorded fourth-quarter funds from operations (earnings excluding noncash charges) of $1 a share, 2 cents higher than the fourth quarter of 2018, with sameproperty net operating income (NOI) growth of 1.9%.
“While we’re really proud of these accomplishments, we acknowledge that, disappointingly, we did not exceed expectations in 2019, both ours and yours, specifically for same-property NOI growth,” Palmer said.
“Leasing velocity in the first half of last year as well as store closures and bankruptcies drove us to the lower end of our same-property NOI growth range.”
With major retailers continuing to close stores, Regency is projecting earnings to be flat or slightly higher this year. Palmer said those projections are “below our standards on both an absolute and relative basis” but she expects the “muted growth” to be temporary.
“As I look to 2021 and beyond, I’m confident that we will soon be meeting our objectives of 3% plus sameproperty NOI growth and 4% plus earnings growth,” she said.
Fidelity earnings increase 51%
Fidelity National Financial Inc. last week reported a big jump in fourth quarter earnings and revenue.
The Jacksonville-based title insurance company had adjusted earnings of 95 cents a share, up from 63 cents in the fourth quarter of 2018, with revenue rising almost 40% to $2.36 billion.
The earnings were 14 cents higher than the consensus forecast of analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research. The report came a week after Fidelity announced a deal to acquire annuity and life insurance company FGL Holdings to diversify its business.
Fidelity said FGL’s businesses tend to do well in interest rate environments that are negative for the title insurance business.
That could come in handy this year because Fidelity is expecting the title business to slow down.
“We expect mortgage originations to moderate through the year from the very strong levels enjoyed in 2019 as refinance volumes naturally ease,” Chairman Bill Foley said in a news release.
“We will remain vigilant on expenses as we manage this expected slowdown in volumes,” he said.
FIS projects 2020 earnings growth Fidelity National Information Services Inc., or FIS, last week reported slightly lower fourth-quarter earnings. But the Jacksonville-based banking technology company is expecting its 2019 acquisition of payments technology company Worldpay Inc. to increase earnings this year.
FIS reported adjusted earnings of $1.57 a share, 3 cents lower than the previous year, in its first full quarter of operations since acquiring Worldpay.
With the addition of Worldpay, revenue jumped 54% to $3.34 billion.
FIS officials said in the company’s conference call it is ahead of schedule in integrating Worldpay’s operations. Chief Financial Officer Woody Woodall said FIS had been projecting the merger to be “mildly dilutive” for 2020 earnings but because of the integration progress, FIS now expects Worldpay to increase the company’s earnings.
FIS is projecting 2020 earnings of $6.17 to $6.35 a share, up from $5.61 in 2019.
Mixed forecast for Black Knight
Black Knight Inc. last week reported higher fourth-quarter earnings but gave a mixed forecast for its 2020 results.
The Jacksonville-based mortgage technology company had adjusted earnings of 54 cents a share, 4 cents higher than the previous year, and said revenue rose 5% to $300.1 million.
Black Knight is projecting 2020 adjusted earnings of $1.97 to $2.06 a share, compared with $1.99 in 2019.
In the company’s conference call, Chief Financial Officer Kirk Larsen said Black Knight expects earnings and revenue growth to be lower in the first half of the year due in part to the timing of implementation of some contracts. But it expects growth to accelerate in the second half of 2020.
Black Knight and FIS were spun off from Fidelity National Financial.
Staffing firm GEE Group reports loss GEE Group Inc. last week reported a net loss of $3.6 million, or 27 cents a share, for its first quarter ended Dec. 31. Revenue fell 2.6% to $37.6 million.
Despite the loss, the Jacksonville-based staffing company said its operational improvement plan is having a positive effect on its financial performance.
“We have put in place an aggressive top and bottom line budget which we expect will have a very positive impact on revenue and adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization),” CEO Derek Dewan said in a news release.
ParkerVision sues Intel over patents ParkerVision Inc., which has several patent infringement lawsuits pending against major communications device manufacturers, filed another lawsuit last week against processor maker Intel Corp.
The lawsuit, filed in Texas, alleges Intel is using patented technologies developed by Jacksonville-based ParkerVision in its products without authorization.
ParkerVision has other legal actions against major technology companies including Apple Inc., LG Electronics Inc. and Qualcomm Inc.
The company has no products on the market and is focused solely on patent infringement lawsuits.
CSX raises its dividend by 2 cents CSX Corp. last week said its board of directors authorized an increase in its stock’s quarterly cash dividend from 24 cents a share to 26 cents.
This is the fifth time since 2015 the Jacksonville-based railroad company raised the quarterly dividend by 2 cents.
Duos Technologies trading on Nasdaq Duos Technologies Group Inc.’s stock began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market last week.
The Jacksonville-based company last month implemented a 1-for-14 reverse stock split to lift its stock price and qualify for the Nasdaq listing.
The reverse split raised Duos’ stock price to about $7 in the days leading up to the new listing.
However, as the company announced the move to Nasdaq, it also said a secondary offering of 1.35 million shares was priced at $6. So, the stock dropped to $6.05 on its first day of trading on Nasdaq on Feb. 13.
Duos had been trading on the OTCQX market. The stock is trading on Nasdaq with the same ticker symbol, “DUOT.”
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other locations.
There are 1,184 Firehouse Subs, including the nontraditional units, in 45 states.
It also has locations in Puerto Rico and Canada, where it intends to add a few more units.
What it does mean is there’s opportunity beyond the norm, not only with airports, colleges and medical centers but with travel plazas, high-rises, military bases and casinos.
“It’s just another chapter in the growth of our company,” Delks said.
A CAPTIVE AUDIENCE
Sam Oches, editorial director of Food News Media, calls it a smart move.
North Carolina-based Food News Media publishes foodservice magazines that include QSR and FSR, reporting about quick-service and full-service restaurants. “These kinds of locations have a ton of potential,” Oches said.
“If you think about travel-related nontraditional locations, you have a constant flow of customers who are usually hungry. You have a captive audience,” Oches said.
Opening on college campuses feeds customers and builds future business.
“These students need to eat and they’re here for a few years and they commit loyalty to a brand,” Oches said.
Firehouse Subs is working with companies that place restaurants into nontraditional locations.
Delks said Aramark, Sodexo, Compass Group and HMSHost are licensees who operate the locations and pay royalties to Firehouse Subs. “You need a partner that understands that complexity and knows how to manage it,” Delks said.
A ‘CONTROLLED BURN’
Firefighters and brothers Chris and Robin Sorensen founded Firehouse Subs with one store in Mandarin.
It has grown into an awardwinning brand that Newsweek named No. 1 in the fast-casual restaurant industry in 2019.
The Sorensens refer to the privately owned company’s 26-year growth as a “controlled burn.”
They also built the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, which has granted more than $48 million in 49 states and Puerto Rico to support first responders and public safety organizations. Firehouse Subs are fast-casual restaurants, making subs to order in 4 to 5 minutes, Delks said. They are not quick-service, 30-second sandwiches.
The menu includes hot specialty, custom-made and local favorite subs as well as salads and a children’s menu. Firehouse also caters. Menu items include the Smokehouse Beef & Cheddar Brisket and the signature Hook & Ladder, comprising smoked turkey breast, Virginia honey ham and melted Monterey Jack cheese served “fully involved” with toppings and condiments.
The Firehouse Subs system was built on franchises with owneroperators investing in territories to develop and run restaurants.
Firehouse Subs wants to make sure franchisees can draw from a good market. The firehousesubsfranchising.com site shows an initial single-unit franchisee fee of $20,000. The average turnkey investment is about $350,000.
“Our strategy is we will never be one of those brands that has a restaurant on every corner, so there is only a finite number of territories available,” Delks said. Delks’ role includes looking beyond the traditional system. “Nontraditional is a natural fit to go where franchisees cannot get into,” he said.
Firehouse Subs also will test new products. “There are modifications to our menu that will be innovative,” Delks said.
A l l m u s t pass the RAC — Robin and Chris — test, Delks said.
“Chris and Robin Sorensen are involved in all aspects of the business and they are absolutely involved in the taste profiles and the makes of the sandwiches.”
Oches at Food News Media said Americans love sandwiches, generating ongoing demand.
“The culture the Sorensens have built into the brand is consistent and smart. … I like this brand a lot,” he said.
Industry observer Jim Stallings, founder of the Jacksonville-based PS27 Ventures entrepreneurial investment group, considers the move into nontraditional markets as “logical and smart.”
“Firehouse is following the playbook of successful consumer brands today, they are following their most loyal customers into new segments and offering their own product,” Stallings said.
“Brand loyalty and customer experience are keys to growth.” Delks
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NONTRADITIONAL LOCATIONS Here’s where Firehouse Subs has opened or is considering as nontraditional restaurant locations. AIRPORTS
Firehouse Subs operates in four airports - Jacksonville, Orlando, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Newark.
“It’s a great marketing tool because there are people who come from all over the country,” said Greg Delks, vice president of global and nontraditional franchise development at Jacksonville-based Firehouse of America LLC. He expects to open in one or two more airports this year and to serve subs in seven to 10 airports in the next few years. COLLEGE CAMPUSES
College students often are on campus food plans paid by parents.
“If you get on campus and they become fans, then you have them for life,” Delks said. Firehouse Subs sells on three college campuses: Western New England University in Springfield, Massachusetts; Grambling State University in Louisiana; and The University of Texas at Dallas.
Delks expects to open three to five more on campuses this year, including at the University of Florida in August. MEDICAL CENTERS
The expansion into medical centers starts by early April when Firehouse Subs opens in Baptist Medical Center on the Downtown Jacksonville Southbank.
Firehouse Subs will open a 3,000-square-foot, 84-seat restaurant where Chick-fil-A closed. TRAVEL PLAZAS
Delks is working with a company that can place Firehouse Subs into service plazas along toll roads, where drivers typically stop to fuel, use the facilities and grab a meal to go. “The way our subs are packaged, they are a great travel companion.” HIGH-RISES
High-rise office towers offer a view along with an opportunity. “They may have a food court on the 35th floor so workers don’t have to go streetside to get a meal,” Delks said of a hypothetical skyscraper.
“It opens a whole new vertical for us.” MILITARY BASES
Delks calls military bases a huge opportunity.
The complexity is the security of access and background checks, which adds to expense. Also, deployments can affect sales. CASINOS
Delks said he isn’t referring to the traditional casinos but those on Native American properties. “That’s an opportunity that I’ve been working for over three years,” he said. Another new sales avenue are grab-and-go options at colleges, airport kiosks and other locations.
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Among military contracts issued in Northeast Florida: n Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Norfolk, Virginia, awarded Haskell of Jacksonville a $25.6 million firm-fixed price contract for the construction of a single-story steel frame welding and light/heavy body shops facility at the Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany. Work will have an expected completion date of April 2022. n Military Sealift Command in Norfolk, Virginia, awarded Crowley Government Services in Jacksonville a $20.8 million firm-fixed-price contract to continue the operation and maintenance of five Tactical Auxiliary General Ocean Surveillance vessels and two missile range instrumentation ships. The work is expected to be completed by July 21. n U.S. Marine Corps Installations and Logistics of Albany, Georgia, awarded Acuity Design Group Inc. in Jacksonville a $1.8 million contract for installation management support services. n The Virginia Air National Guard, Lang
BUSINESS CALENDAR FEB. 25 Jerry Rice at Florida Forum: The Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital 2019-20 Florida Forum series will feature Super Bowl champion Jerry Rice to conclude its 2019-20 series Feb. 25 at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts. Forum sponsors are Wells Fargo, Florida Blue and Landstar. For information, visit thefloridaforum. com or call (904) 202-2886.
FEB. 27 VanOsdol, Wallace to JAXUSA: Ascension Florida President and CEO Tom
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE Promotions, hirings and happenings for business people in Northeast Florida. Send items to ssailer@jaxdailyrecord.com
Bridgett Loafman was appointed chief human resource officer at JAX Federal Credit Union. She oversees human resources policies and operations for the credit union and its 135 employees, who serve more than 37,500 members across Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Baker and Nassau counties. Loafman
Nancy Powell was named to the newly created position of executive director at Scenic Jacksonville Inc. She will be responsible for helping the organization establish operations, membership, advocacy and outreach. She served four years on the board and completed a twoyear term as board chair of Riverside Avondale Preservation.
Heather Corey was named CEO of JDLC Nurse & Learn, taking over after Amy Buggle retired after 30 years as the founder and director. Elizabeth ley Air Force Base, Virginia, awarded G.M. Hill Engineering Inc. of Jacksonville a $1.3 million contract for roof retrofitting and replacement services.
New branch: Community First Credit Union opened Feb. 11 at 1425 Atlantic Blvd. in Neptune Beach. Community First bought and renovated the former bank branch on the 2-acre property. The new building offers drive-thru teller windows and an ATM. The new building replaces the credit union’s branch at 1650 San Pablo Road. John Hirabayashi is Community First CEO and president.
Cowork location to open: LionShare Cowork will open a second location this summer in the former 11,614-squarefoot Retro Fitness location in Harbour Village at 13475 Atlantic Blvd. It will offer event space, multiple conference rooms, phone booths, a podcast room, more than 30 daily desks and about 40 private offices. LionShare Cowork also operatees at 14333 Beach Blvd., Suite 33.
VanOsdol and JAXUSA Partnership President Aundra Wallace will discuss the region’s growth in health care and it relation to economic development at the JAXUSA Partnership first quarter luncheon Feb. 27 at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. Check-in starts at 11:30 a.m. followed by the program from noon-1:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 for JAXUSA investors; $65 for JAX Chamber members; and $75 for nonmembers. For registration or information, visit myjaxchamber.com or email rachel.harris@ myjaxchamber.com.
Goodrich was promoted to office manager.
Glenn Newton joined the Betty Griffin Center as director of development. Newton was an independent marketing and development consultant.
Fintainium added three executives: Stephan Braun joined as general manager of trade finance. Nicholas Moussab joined as senior vice president of business development. Moussab was director of corporate sales with AvidXchange. Joseph Voica was named president, responsible for market strategy, sales and customer support and management. Voica was chief revenue officer and executive vice president of sales and marketing at Merchant e-Solutions Inc.
Kristy Meeler, managing principal of Avondale Wealth Advisors, was named JAX Chamber Councils president for 2020. She will serve on the JAX Chamber board of directors.
Meeler
DEVELOPMENT TODAY
These are the largest commercial building permits by job cost issued Tuesday by the city of Jacksonville.
CHURCH, OTHER RELIGIOUS Trinity Baptist Church of Jacksonville Inc., 800 Hammond Blvd., No. 1, contractor is Jason Hursey Construction Inc., concession stand and clubhouse foundation, $150,000.
OFFICE, BANK, PROFESSIONAL Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman LLP, 10151 Deerwood Park Blvd., No. 300, contractor is Duckworth Construction Co., 28,340 square feet, tenant buildout, $500,583. Community First Credit Union, 701 W. Adams St., contractor is Auld & White Constructors LLC, 28,000 square feet, interior demolition, $125,000.
SIGNS Flagler Cove, 13296 Didymus Drive, contractor is Seminole Masonry LLC, monument sign, $19,000. Lexus of Orange Park, Pre-Owned, Service, 7040 Blanding Blvd., contractor is McNeil Signs Inc., six permits for wall signs, $10,900.
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THE MARBUT REPORT MAX MARBUT ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Imagine having to appear at a hearing or in court and not being able to understand what was being said by the judge, the attorneys or other people in the room.
That happens regularly at the Duval County Courthouse, but it’s not a hindrance to justice because the 4th Judicial Circuit provides qualified spoken language court interpreters.
They are trained to help people with limited English proficiency understand and participate in the proceedings. “We have interpreters in court every day,” said Martha Pintado, court interpreter coordinator.
The language most often interpreted is Spanish, but people fluent in Arabic, Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian and other Eastern European languages also are available. “We’re a melting pot in
Photo by Max Marbut From left, 4th Circuit Human Resources Manager Debra Marchant, Court Interpreter Coordinator Martha Pintado and court interpreters Davor Zidovec and Adriana Gonzalez.
Jacksonville, a refugee city,” Pintado said.
The court works with 12 agencies that provide spoken language interpreters.
The service is provided by the state in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Florida law and the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration.
Under rules adopted by the state Supreme Court, interpreters must ensure that the proceedings in English reflect precisely what is said by a non-English speaking person and they must place the nonEnglish speaking person on an equal footing with those who speak English.
The confidentiality of privileged information must be upheld and interpreters are required to understand and uphold attorney-client privilege.
Interpreters are assigned most often in proceedings such as circuit and county criminal court, juvenile delinquency and dependency, paternity, domestic violence injunctions and mental health and incapacity hearings.
Interpreters also may help people understand documents. “We can read the form to them, but we don’t give legal advice,” said Adriana Gonzalez, owner of Language Connections LLC interpreting and translating services.
Under the rules, an interpreter may convey legal advice from an attorney to a person only while that attorney is giving it. An interpreter should not explain the purpose of forms, services, or otherwise act as counselors or advisers unless they are interpreting for someone who is acting in that official capacity.
The interpreter may translate language on a form for a person who is filling out the form, but may not explain the form or its purpose.
Interpreting in court can involve translating documents, helping an attorney communicate with a client and interpreting a judge’s instructions to the jury, said Davor Zidovec, who is certified to interpret Spanish, Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian.
Becoming a registered interpreter, a candidate is evaluated by a board of judges, court administrators and federally and state-certified court interpreters.
To become registered with the state, prospective court interpreters must attend a twoday orientation session and then pass written and oral tests, as well as a background check. To become certified, an interpreter must complete 20 court-appointed interpreting assignments of no less than 40 hours total, complete 16 hours of continuing education within two years of being registered and also pass additional tests for proficiency.
Gonzalez and Zidovec agree that “you won’t get rich being a court interpreter,” but it’s important work to help people as they interact with the legal system.
“Every day is different and we learn a lot about life experiences. It can be a hard job, but it’s rewarding,” Gonzalez said. The court also provides, with at least five days notice before a scheduled event, interpreter services for deaf people in accordance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and state law.
Email crtintrp@coj.net to arrange for an interpreter or for more information.
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