Mikhail Bogomolny is a California-certified court interpreter (English–Russian) who has interpreted hundreds of depositions and examinations under oath for plaintiff and defense attorneys, court reporting agencies and insurance carriers. He works in person across Southern California and nationwide, and remotely anywhere in the U.S.
Why firms and agencies book Mikhail
A record that holds up
Certified by the Judicial Council of California and registered in New York. He states his name and certification number and shows his badge on the record, as Government Code §68561(h) requires, so his qualifications won't be challenged, including at workers' compensation depositions.
Hundreds of depositions and EUOs
Personal injury, employment, business, family law, probate and workers' compensation depositions; auto, property, theft and fire claim EUOs. Behind that: more than 750 USCIS interviews and hundreds of court hearings, up to oral argument before the U.S. Bankruptcy Appellate Panel of the Ninth Circuit.
Every word, in the first person
Complete and verbatim, without summarizing or cleaning up, through fast cross-examination, objections and long narrative answers. When clarification is needed, he asks for it on the record, so the transcript shows exactly what happened.
Russian as witnesses actually speak it
Witnesses come from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Central Asia, the Caucasus and Israel, and their Russian differs. Mikhail also works in Ukrainian and Hebrew, so a Ukrainian place name or a Hebrew term in an answer comes through correctly.
Exhibits handled by the same professional
Russian, Ukrainian and Hebrew exhibits can be sight-translated on the record or translated and certified in advance: medical records, police reports, contracts, messages. One person, consistent terminology.
Knows what the question is after
Trained in contract law (Harvard Law School online course) and immigration law (Immigration Law Specialist Certificate), with years in immigration, civil and appellate courts. When counsel lays a foundation or pins down a contract term, Mikhail understands the point and renders the answer with that precision.
As an immigration attorney, I have worked with many interpreters and translators, and I can confidently say that Michael is simply the best.
Matters covered
Depositions
- Personal injury, employment, business and contract disputes
- Family law and probate
- Workers' compensation
- Party, witness and expert depositions, in person or remote
Examinations under oath
- Auto claims
- Property, theft and fire claims
- Bodily injury claims
- For carriers and for policyholders' counsel
To book
Call or email with the case caption, the date and time, the location or video platform, and any exhibits in Russian, Ukrainian, Hebrew or English. Names and exhibits are reviewed in advance; Zoom, Teams and WebEx are all fine. Written confirmation and a W-9 on request. Every payment method is accepted, including checks from law firms.
Frequently asked questions
Does a deposition interpreter in California have to be certified?
For Russian, which has a California court certification exam, attorneys normally use a certified court interpreter. Government Code §68561(h) sets out what a certified or registered interpreter states on the record at a deposition, and using one avoids later objections to the interpretation.
How long does an interpreted deposition take?
Roughly twice as long as the same deposition in English, because every question and answer is spoken twice. Plan the day accordingly.
Can the deposition be remote?
Yes. The interpreter joins the same Zoom, Teams or WebEx session as counsel, the witness and the court reporter.
Does Mikhail interpret EUOs for insurers and for policyholders?
Yes. He works for whichever side retains him and interprets neutrally for everyone in the room.