Rachel S. West
Reproductive Technology Lawyer
Rachel works with Canadian and international Intended Parents, surrogates (gestational carriers), egg donors, sperm donors and embryo donors. Rachel speaks fluent French and enjoys working with both French and English speaking clients.
Rachel understands the challenges involved with creating a family through surrogacy, and takes pride in protecting her clients’ interests while allowing them to create and grow their relationship with their surrogate or intended parents.
"The nature of a surrogacy practice is a little bit like obstetrics—babies come at all hours of the day and all days of the week. We work as a team to make sure that one of us is always available to assist our clients—any time—night or day."
Employment and Human Rights Law
Rachel’s extensive employment law background is applicable in the surrogacy law context. Rachel regularly advises on benefits programs such as Employment Insurance and Disability Insurance, which impact surrogate’s reimbursements under surrogacy agreements.
Advising both employers and employees allows Rachel to take a 360 degree view of a conflict, and advise on the best course of action for her clients. Rachel has appeared at all levels of the Alberta courts, and at the Alberta Human Rights Tribunal. Rachel has acted as counsel in numerous arbitration, mediation and other alternative dispute resolution processes.
Rachel articled and worked for one of Calgary’s largest corporate law firms, and regularly receives referrals from the larger firms in Calgary who are unable to handle plaintiff’s side employment matters for conflict of interest reasons.
(+01) 403-541-4233