How Team Languages Improve Your Matches

Quick Answer

The matching system considers languages spoken by both you and your team members (staff, colleagues, paralegals, assistants). Adding your team's language capabilities to your listing significantly increases lead matches, as clients can be effectively served even if you don't personally speak their preferred language.

Overview

Language matching is one of the six critical filters that determine lead distribution. By including your entire team's language capabilities, you can serve more diverse communities and receive more matched leads, building trust and understanding through cultural and linguistic alignment.

How Language Matching Works

The Matching Process

When a client submits a referral request:

They specify their preferred language(s)
System searches for professionals with matching language capabilities
Matches include YOUR languages AND your team's languages
Client gets matched with professionals who can serve them effectively
You receive the lead if any team member speaks the client's language

Why Team Languages Matter

Scenario	Without Team Languages	With Team Languages
Spanish-speaking client	No match if you only speak English	Match if your paralegal speaks Spanish
Mandarin inquiry	Missed opportunity	Match if your assistant speaks Mandarin
Arabic documentation	Can't serve client	Match if colleague can translate
Vietnamese interview	Language barrier	Match if staff member can interpret

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Identify All Team Language Capabilities

Survey your team to discover all languages spoken:

Paralegals and legal assistants
Administrative staff and receptionists
Partner colleagues who assist with cases
Translators or interpreters you regularly use
Family members who help with your practice

Step 2: Access Your Listing

Navigate to your Profile or Organization listing:

Click "Edit Profile" or "Edit Organization"
Scroll to the Languages section
Current languages will be displayed

Step 3: Add Team Languages

Include all languages your team speaks:

Add each language individually
Include proficiency level if option available
Don't worry about dialects (system matches broadly)
Consider cultural variants (e.g., Portuguese for Brazilian clients)

Step 4: Update Multiple Listings

If you have multiple listings, update each one:

Profile listing
Organization listing
Any additional practice listings
Each listing's languages are considered separately

Step 5: Save and Wait for Approval

Submit your changes:

Changes go to "Pending" status
Current version continues matching during review
Approval takes 1-3 business days
New languages activate after approval

Maximizing Language Matches

Languages to Include

Primary Languages: Fluent speakers on your team
Conversational Level: Staff who can communicate effectively
Document Review: Team members who can read/translate
Phone Support: Anyone who answers calls in other languages
Sign Language: If you have ASL interpreters

Building Your Language Network

Hire multilingual staff strategically
Partner with translation services
Collaborate with multilingual colleagues
Build relationships with community interpreters
Consider virtual language support options

Important Notes

Trust Through Understanding: Cultural and language matching increases conversion by 25-50%
High-Level Matching: System matches "Spanish" not specific dialects
Team Definition: Anyone who regularly assists with client services
Ethical Consideration: Only list languages you can actually provide
Quality Matters: Better to serve well in fewer languages than poorly in many

FAQs

Q: What if my team member leaves? Do I need to update immediately? A: Yes, remove languages promptly when team members leave to ensure you can properly serve matched clients.

Q: Can I list a language if I use a translation service? A: Only if you have reliable, consistent access to translation. Occasional Google Translate use doesn't count.

Q: Should I list languages for part-time staff? A: Yes, if they're regularly available to assist with client communications or documentation.

Q: How specific should I be about dialects or regional variants? A: The system matches broadly, so listing "Spanish" covers all variants. Focus on major language categories.

Q: Does listing more languages guarantee more leads? A: It increases potential matches, but actual lead volume depends on demand in your area for those language services.