Rachel Schechter has a broad privacy and cybersecurity-focused practice, with an emphasis on data governance, compliance, artificial intelligence, access to information, and related disputes. Rachel is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (Canada), and is recognized in Best Lawyers in Canada: Ones to Watch for her work in commercial litigation (2022-2024) and information technology law (2023-2024).
Rachel advises public and private sector organizations with respect to privacy policies and procedures, compliance, data protection, privacy impact assessments, AI usage, access to information, incident response planning, anti-spam regulation, privacy and cybersecurity implications of novel products, services, and technologies, and related due diligence in commercial transactions. Rachel represents public and private sector clients in inquiries before the Information and Privacy Commissioner, and in related judicial review proceedings. Rachel acts as counsel in cybersecurity and privacy breach matters, including ransomware attacks and business email compromise, helping clients manage forensic investigation teams, develop crisis communications and notification and reporting strategies, and manage legal risk.
Rachel has appeared before all levels of Court in British Columbia and the Federal Court. Her dispute resolution experience includes commercial and contract claims, oppression proceedings, privacy breach litigation, defamation claims, complex tort claims, professional negligence and insurance defence litigation. Rachel has experience with intellectual property, trademark, and copyright litigation and domain name disputes under the UDRP and CDRP.
Rachel has a particular interest in the evolution of law in the digital age and its application to new technologies and cross-border disputes. She leverages her in-depth understanding of the Court system, having previously clerked at the Supreme Court of British Columbia, to provide practical and strategic risk management advice to clients.
Rachel is active in the Vancouver legal community. She is the Vice Chair of the CBABC Freedom of Information & Privacy Law section Executive and serves as a Member-at-Large on the CBABC’s Women Lawyers Forum Executive.
In her spare time, Rachel enjoys trying new recipes (mostly successfully), and exploring BC with her dog, Teddy, who serves as Harris’ Chief Barketing Officer.
Recognition
- Certified Information Privacy Professional (Canada)
- Best Lawyers Canada: Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation, 2022- 2024
- Best Lawyers Canada: Ones to Watch, Information Technology Law, 2023-2024
- Blake Cassels & Graydon Prize in Labour Law, UBC Law School, 2012
- Campney & Murphy William R Mead Memorial Scholarship, UBC Law School, 2012
Publications
Professional & Community Involvement
- Vice Chair, CBABC Freedom of Information & Privacy Law Section Executive
- Member-at-Large, CBABC Women Lawyers Forum Executive
- Director, Fertile Future
- International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), Member
- The Advocates Society, Member
- American Bar Association, Member
- Law Society of British Columbia, Member
- Vancouver Bar Association, Member
Year of Call
- British Columbia, 2015
Education
- JD, University of British Columbia, 2013