About Us

Raquel Pérez López

• Raquel began interpreting in 1994 under her father's supervision and training.
• Raquel graduated from Virginia Wesleyan College in 1996 with a Bachelor's degree in Spanish.
• Raquel also holds a Master of Arts degree in Applied Linguistics from Old Dominion University with a concentration in teaching English as a Second Language.
• Raquel attended the prestigious Spanish university la Universidad en Navarra in Pamplona, Spain from 1992-1993 where she acquired a Castillian accent, one of her working dialects. 
• Raquel has interpreted for Spanish speakers in all eight local jurisdictions, including U. S. District Court. Her total experience adds up to approximately six years of full-time work with people from all over the world from all walks of life.
• Raquel has interpreted for the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Navy for visiting delegations of foreign dignitaries which required clearances in order to enter secured areas.  
• Additionally, Raquel teaches English as a Second Language and Spanish in flexible courses. One student has continued through six years of lessons and Raquel is known for being personable, friendly, creative and adaptable to the students’ needs.
• She completed significant coursework in 1996 towards the Commonwealth of Virginia Spanish K-12 Teaching Endorsement. Raquel returned to Virginia Wesleyan College to complete her teaching endorsement at a later date and was provisionally certified as a K-12 Spanish teacher when she taught ninth grade Spanish for one year.
• She translates documents via word processing, including legal and technical texts and performs document formatting for her father's translations as well as proof-reading his translations into both languages.
• While working for Refugee and Immigration Services, Raquel was certified by the Northern Virginia Area Health Education Center as an interpretation instructor. 
• Raquel is a strong interpreter in both simultaneous and consecutive interpreting. Confidential matters and delicate matters require an interpreter with significant experience and ethics training. Raquel has significant experience working with juvenile or adult female crime victims who may prefer a female interpreter.
• Raquel was the Chair of the American Red Cross Language Bank and performs community service frequently for indigent people who cannot afford interpreters. Examples of such interpretations include, on a time available basis, communicating with school personnel, medical situations, mental health counseling and other emergencies.