Michela’s practice focuses on access, data security and privacy law, with an emphasis on delivering a wide range of privacy training and workshops; assisting clients in navigating access to information requests; and drafting privacy-related policies such as those that pertain to surveillance, technology use, social media, artificial intelligence, and privacy responsibility. Michela is a Certified Information Privacy Professional in Canada, a Certified Information Privacy Manager, and is recognized as a Fellow of Information Privacy.
Additionally, she provides strategic advice about the intersection of privacy and human rights laws, such as social media searches and the collection and use of diversity data for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and compliance with internal, legal, award-based or client-imposed demographic benchmarks.
Michela represents clients in complaint, review, inquiry and other matters before provincial and federal privacy commissioners and provides strategic advice to both public and private sector clients on their privacy obligations including cross-border data transfers and third party service provider agreements. Michela is called to the State Bar of California, and brings a unique perspective for international employers seeking advice about conducting business in Canada in a privacy-compliant way. She also assists First Nations bands and organizations in navigating the privacy law landscape. She offers a tailored “privacy starter package” to clients of all sizes who are looking for a place to begin in establishing a privacy program and achieving privacy compliance.
Michela’s diversity, equity and inclusion practice is focused on delivery of respectful workplace training and DEI training with the goal of delivering tangible takeaways and tools that attendees can apply to their workplaces with the ultimate goals of reducing legal risk and building a culture of respect.
Additionally, she is a trauma-informed workplace investigator, having completed the Trauma-Informed Practice (TIP) Foundations Online Course for Justice, Public Safety, and Anti-Violence Community Sectors in British Columbia from the Justice Institute of British Columbia.
Michela joined Harris as an articled student, and became an associate in September 2015. She became a partner in January 2023.
Michela is the chair of the firm’s Student Committee.
Recognition
- Lexpert 2024 “Lawyers to Watch” in Data Protection & Privacy
- Fellow of Information Privacy
- Certified Information Privacy Professional (Canada)
- Certified Information Privacy Manager
- Recommended, Data Privacy, Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, 2024
Recent Speaking Engagements
- “ChatGPT Wrote This Title: Workplace Wizardry – Mastering the Art of AI Management”, CPHR HR Conference & Expo 2024, April 2024
- “Equity, Diversity & Inclusion and the Anti-Racism Data Act”, CBABC Privacy Law Conference, January 2024
- “Addressing the Unknown: Arbitrators Respond to the Use of Artificial Intelligence”, Lancaster House Labour Arbitration and Policy Conference, November 2023
- “Wired Work: Maintaining Confidentiality, Privacy, and Security in the Remote Workplace”, Lancaster House Winter Webinar Series, March 2023
- “LGBTQIA lawyers”, Womxn in Law Series, Global Lawyers of Canada, February 2021
Recent Publications
- “Navigating AI in the Workplace: Policy-Drafting for the Inevitable”, PeopleTalk Online, January 2024
Current Professional & Community Involvement
- Vice Chair, Freedom of Information & Privacy Law Section, Canadian Bar Association, British Columbia Branch
- Executive Member at Large, Privacy and Access Law Section (National), Canadian Bar Association
- Member, Sexual and Gender Diversity Alliance (SAGDA) Section (BC), Canadian Bar Association
- Privacy Publications Committee, California Lawyers Association
- Member, International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)
- Board Member, The Canadian Association of LGBTQ2S+ Lawyers
- Board Member, Out on Screen
- Member, Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of British Columbia & Yukon (CPHR)
- Committee Member, The Hoop-Law Society
*Law Corporation
Practice Areas
Year of Call
- British Columbia, 2015
- State Bar of California, 2020
Education
- JD, University of British Columbia, 2014
- MA, University of the Fraser Valley, 2012
- BA, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, 2010