Statewide Register of Interpreters

Statewide Register of Interpreters

Court Staff, Probation Staff and Court-Ordered Mediation

If an interpreter is needed during business hours, court and probation personnel need to email all interpreter requests to the Operations Team with the county name in the subject line.  Court and probation personnel should not be contacting the interpreters directly and scheduling interpreter services. The only exception is for unplanned probation needs outside of normal business hours.

The initial request needs to contain all the following information:

  • Language
  • Date
  • Start time of all court ordered meetings/hearings or probation activities
  • Name
  • Case Number
  • Charges
  • Courtroom #
  • Hearing Type
  • Judge's Name
  • Attorney's Name and/or PO's Name
  • Meeting Type (PSI, PDI, FTM…)
  • Expected Duration
  • Address where the interpreter needs to go
  • Contact person info

Court personnel should follow this formal request process even if the judge or clerk magistrate asked the interpreter on the record if they are available for the next court date.  This will ensure the Language Access Program can confirm an interpreter has been scheduled and ensure they are paid for their services. ​

Attorneys

The Language Access Program does not pay interpreters used to facilitate communication between an attorney and client outside of the hearing.  Interpreters can assist with brief conversations if time allows.  As a rule, attorneys should contract with interpreters when they need to meet with their clients to discuss their case, court processes, and strategy.  Use the Statewide Register of Interpreters to reach out to the interpreters for their current rates and availability. 

“To address these needs, the Nebraska Legislature, under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 and LB1014, set aside $500,000 in federal funds for Fiscal Years 2022-23 and 2023-24 to reimburse expenses incurred in the provision of qualified, licensed sign language interpreters (whether on-site or remote) throughout the state (including Lincoln and Omaha) to provide effective communication access services between attorneys and deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing individuals outside of the courtroom.”  Click here for more information or contact the Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.  

Mental Health Board Hearings, Non-Court Ordered Mediation and State agencies

The Language Access Program does not pay for the interpreter when they are needed for Mental Health Board hearings, non-court ordered mediation or by other state agencies.  Use the Statewide Register of Interpreters to reach out to the interpreters for their current rates and availability.  

Workers Compensation Court

The Language Access Program will pay for the interpreter, but it is the employer’s obligation to schedule the interpreter.  Use the Statewide Register of Interpreters to find and secure an interpreter.  Please note that the Nebraska Supreme Court rule on interpreter payment rate must be adhered to, otherwise payment may be denied.    

Language(s) Name Type City Phone Email
Burmese, Karen Sunkist Judson Non-certified Omaha, NE 531-215-3299 Email
Burmese, Karen Starbright Judson Non-certified Omaha, NE 531-777-2066 Email
Burmese, Karen Hsa Min Non-certified Carter Lake, IA 402-203-4445 Email
Burmese, Karen Morics Moo Non-certified Omaha, NE 402-871-9991 Email
Karen Paw Wah Non-certified Lincoln, NE 402-405-3554 Email
K'iche Alicia Canuz Venutra Non-certified 213-985-8821 Email
K'iche Misael Itzep Non-certified Alta Loma, CA 909-646-0238 Email
K'iche Martin Poz Perez Non-certified Berkeley, CA 510-610-6555 Email
K'iche Raul Vicente Non-certified Houston, TX 281-782-7576 Email
K'iche Sixta Sass Registered Port Orchard, WA 360-876-7140 Email
Kisii, Mai Mai, Somali, Swahili Abukar Madimba Non-certified Omaha, NE 402-917-2078 Email
Korean Lee Pankowski Non-certified Omaha, NE 402-250-2652 Email
Korean YoYo Yong Beom Kim Certified Chicago, IL 773-793-6266 Email
Korean Young Lee Certified Olympia, WA 360-789-3186 Email
Liberian, Krio, Bassa Lois Akumeh Non-certified Lincoln, NE 402-560-1124 Email
Kunama Negussie Agar Non-certified Aurora, CO 720-388-5448 Email
Kurdish Gulie Khalaf Non-certified Lincoln, NE 402- 802-7679 Email
Arabic, Kurdish, Sudanese Arabic Salim Merza Non-certified Lincoln, NE 402-321-3361 Email
Lao, Thai Tamni Sundling Non-certified Alda, NE 308-382-0887 Email
Lao, Thai Joseph Tasma Non-certified Livonia, MI 419-973-4995 Email
Liberian, Krio, Bassa Lois Akumeh Non-certified Lincoln, NE 402-560-1124 Email
Mai Mai, Somali Abukar Abraham Non-certified Stone Mountain, GA 404-955-2000 Email
Kisii, Mai Mai, Somali, Swahili Abukar Madimba Non-certified Omaha, NE 402-917-2078 Email
Malayalam Matthew Vathalloor Non-certified Elmont, NY 516-592-2767 Email
Mortlockese Jill Short Non-certified Charlotte Hill, MD 240-346-0932 Email
Nepali Puspa Luitel Non-certified Mason, OH 513-834-0190 Email
Nepali Yadu Sapkota Non-certified Omaha, NE 402-301-4782 Email
Fur (Dar Fur), Juba Arabic, Sudanese Arabic, Nuba Moro Estella Abuelsheikh Non-certified Grand Island, NE 308-379-8823 Email
Nuer Keak Kierkok Non-certified Papillion, NE 402-706-6086 Email
Oromo Fatiya Adam Non-certified Sioux City, IA 712-223-4464 Email
Oromo, Amharic Ashenafi Ejjigu Non-certified Omaha, NE 651-399-2230 Email
Persian/Farsi/Dari, Pashto, Urdu Baktash Babagul Non-certified Lincoln, NE 402-480-4181 Email
Pashto, Persian/Farsi/Dari, Urdu Feriedoon Hassan Non-certified Lincoln, NE 402-318-4024 Email
Pashto, Persian/Farsi/Dari, Urdu Palwasha Samadi Non-certified Omaha, NE 402-214-0307 Email
Pashto, Persian/Farsi/Dari, Urdu Mirwais Shinwari Non-certified Omaha, NE 402-218-6656 Email
Persian/Farsi/Dari, Armenian (Eastern) Suzelle Aghamalian Non-certified Chagrin Falls, OH 440-364-0300 Email
Persian/Farsi/Dari, Pashto, Urdu Baktash Babagul Non-certified Lincoln, NE 402-480-4181 Email
Persian/Farsi/Dari, Urdu Saira Babagul Non-certified Lincoln, NE 402-470-7642 Email
Persian/Farsi/Dari, Tajik, Urdu Nadia Bessembinders Non-certified Gretna, NE 402-320-0536 Email
Pashto, Persian/Farsi/Dari, Urdu Feriedoon Hassan Non-certified Lincoln, NE 402-318-4024 Email