Meet Elisa Yu-Shan Lion – Professional Interpreter & Translator | Co-Founder of Formaley Translations
Elisa Yu-Shan Lion is a highly experienced interpreter and translator known for her professionalism, accuracy, and cultural sensitivity. With over 20 years of experience in legal, medical, and governmental settings, Elisa is committed to bridging language barriers with integrity and excellence.
Raised in Honduras in a multicultural family of Caucasian, Chinese, and Hispanic descent, Elisa attended the prestigious American School of Tegucigalpa, where she completed her high school, and baccalaureate, before moving to the United States to pursue minors in Communication, International Studies and General studies. This early bilingual foundation, paired with her international background, shaped her deep understanding of language, culture, and identity—making her a strong advocate for clients from diverse communities.
Elisa began her interpreting career as a volunteer in the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court from 2000 to 2004. Since then, she has built a distinguished career, including roles as a junior paralegal and interpreter for immigration attorney Neal David Olesker, Esq., supporting family-based petitions and GAL (Guardian ad Litem) cases.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Elisa played a vital role with the Virginia Department of Health, providing in-person interpretation and translation services across five rural counties to ensure the Hispanic community had access to accurate and timely public health information.
From 2022 to 2025, Elisa served as the primary immigration interpreter at the EOIR Courthouse in Sterling, Virginia, under contract with SOS International. Her dedication, professionalism, and courtroom decorum earned the trust and respect of immigration judges, attorneys, and government officials.
Today, Elisa provides independent interpretation and certified translation services for USCIS interviews, asylum applications, and EOIR proceedings. Her extensive experience and compassionate approach ensure clients receive the highest standard of service—every step of the way.
In addition to her language work, Elisa is also a published event planner and designer, bringing creativity, precision, and warmth to everything she does.