Erika Carrasco
Erika Carrasco
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Erika Carrasco is a lawyer focused on helping clients navigate the dynamic legal, business and insurance landscape of emerging technologies, including drones, cyber security, autonomous vehicles, blockchain, and AI.

Erika works with clients to develop effective legal strategies to meet their specific needs and goals. She understands the stakes of litigation and its impact on reputation and business operations. By providing proactive risk management advice to her clients, Erika helps minimize the likelihood of future disputes.

Erika’s creative approach helps her identify innovative solutions for clients in continually evolving areas. Not afraid of the new and unknown, Erika is the only lawyer to have successfully argued an appeal of a charge against a drone operator under the Canadian aviation regulations. 

With a background in insurance and construction litigation, Erika has a wealth of experience providing advice and solutions to her clients relating to corporate commercial matters, property and commercial general liability, product liability, wrap-up, builders’ risk, motor vehicle claims, and builders’ liens.

As a result of her unique experience and focus, Erika is sought after by the media and various industries to provide her insight on emerging technology law provincially, nationally and in the US.

Value to Clients

Erika takes a proactive approach to help clients overcome legal challenges, both in litigation and in developing risk management strategies to avoid the courtroom altogether. Clients appreciate her willingness to learn about every aspect of their businesses and focus on developing the ideal practical solution for resolving a dispute or preventing future losses. This approach enables Erika to fully understand her client’s goals and concerns and identify complex problems.

Outside the Office

Erika spends as much of her free time as possible traveling to destinations around the world where she can surf and scuba dive. A busy parent with four children, she is committed to serving her profession and the community and is a long standing volunteer for the Canadian Bar Association, University of Calgary Student Legal Assistance, Pro Bono Law Alberta, and Calgary Legal Guidance. 

Unmanned Systems Canada
Board of Directors
2020 - Present
SCG Legal
Board of Directors
2019 - Present
Canadian Bar Association Alberta, Construction Law Section (South)
Treasurer
2009-Present
Law Society of Alberta
Member
2005-Present
Calgary Bar Association
Member
2005-Present
Association of Women Lawyers
Member
2005-Present
Canadian Bar Association
National CEO Selection Committee
2016
Canadian Bar Association, National Young Lawyers Section
Chair
2015 - 2016
Canadian Bar Association, National Young Lawyers Section
Executive Member
2015 - 2016
Canadian Bar Association, Construction Law Section (South)
Member
Leading Practitioner: Litigation - Commercial Insurance
Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory
2024
"Future Star"
Benchmark Canada
2018 - 2023
"Lawyer to Watch" Litigation - Commercial Insurance
Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory
2018 - 2019
University of Calgary Student Legal Assistance
Volunteer
2003 - Present
Canadian Bar Association
Volunteer, Legal Expo Conference
2007 - 2007
Calgary Drop-In Centre Legal Aid
Volunteer
2004 - 2005
December 2022
The World of Digital Assets is Not a Lawless One
Law Matters
September 4, 2021
A Legal Perspective on Issues in Gaming
Alberta Esports Association: Capsule Series Panelist
August 23, 2021
As Esports Grows and Creates new Legal Challenges, Law Firm Allies with Alberta Esports Association
Canadian Lawyer
August 16, 2021 - 2 min read
Field Law Announces Sponsorship of Alberta Esports Association (AESA)
CALGARY – August 16, 2021 –Field Law’s Emerging Technology group is pleased to announce a new alliance with the Alberta Esports Association (AESA), a not-for-profit organization established in 2020 that serves as the governing body fo...
May 13, 2021
Coffee + Counsel: How to Protect Your Business Against Phishing Attacks
Q+A Session
Join us for another edition of Coffee + Counsel, a complimentary series that brings you together with a few of our lawyers for an unscripted chat about legal issues pertinent to organizations in Alberta. Your questions guide the discussion, and we prov...
November 2, 2020 - 3 min read
How much Northbridge could pay out in COVID claims
Canadian Underwriter
April 2020
The Liability of Long-Term Care Facilities: COVID-19’s Projected Impact
Canadian Underwriter
May 2019
New Canadian Drone Regulations
Effective June 1, 2019, Transport Canada has new rules for flying drones in Canada. These new regulations hope to enhance predictability for businesses and improve the safety from drone operations relating to aviation and the Canadian public. &nbs...
March 18, 2019
Tech Support: Law Firms Lining up to Take Advantage of Tech Boom
Canadian Lawyer Mag
Erika Carrasco discusses how the law surrounding drones offers a typical example of the challenges of working in a fast-developing area.
February 14, 2019
The Type of Claims that may Arise from Legalization of Cannabis Edibles
Canadian Underwriter
Erika Carrasco speaks to Canadian Underwriter about cannabis coverage issues.
January 10, 2019
New Canadian Drone Regulations
Ted Henley, CityNews
(3:54) Erika Carrasco discusses the new rules for flying drones in Canada that come into effect on June 1, 2019.
January 10, 2019
Will New Rules for Drone Flights in Canada Make our Skies Safer?
Judy Aldous, CBC News
Transport Canada published new rules for flying drones in Canada that come into effect on June 1, 2019. Erika Carrasco discusses these new rules and answers questions on Alberta at Noon with Judy Aldous.
January 9, 2019
New Canadian Drone Regulations
On January 9, 2019, Transport Canada published new rules for flying drones in Canada to enhance predictability for businesses, improve the security of aviation and ensure our airspace is safe for everyone.  The new regulations distinguish bet...
May 29, 2018
New Drone Regulations are Coming to Canada – Are You Ready for the Changes?
Seminars
Canadian Bar Association
Join Erika Carrasco to explore new drone regulations coming to Canada. Specific topics of the session will include:  What are the current Regulations in Canada and how and why are they changing?  What will this mean for lawyers n...
February 14, 2018
2018 Blockchain IoT & Machine Learning
Client Events
Oil & Gas Canada
How to Manage the Legal Risk of Emerging Technologies and IoT and Reap the Benefit
January 2018
Drones 101
Calgary lawyer says laws confusing but clarity is on the horizon
January 2018
Could New Technology Keep Drones from Spying on You?
Vanessa Hvratin, National Post
Erika Carrasco offers perspective on the current challenges facing the drone industry, and how new technology and privacy laws could impact future drone legislation.
November 2017
Legal Eagle to Explain How to Soar like a Drone Properly
Peter Caulfield, Journal of Commerce
Ahead of Calgary Buildex 2017, Erika Carrasco provides background on her presentation on safe, legal use of drones: It's a Bird, It's a Plane, No It's a Drone! Legal Know-how for Successful Use and Operation of UAVs on Construction and Comm...
June 2017
First Calgarian Convicted for Flying Drone Wins New Trial After Appeal
Shawn Logan, Calgary Herald
Erika Carrasco grants insight into the complexities of UAV Regulations in Canada, and her involvement as counsel in the appeal of the first person in Calgary charged under those Regulations.

Drones:

  • Successfully argued an appeal of the first convictions pursuant to the federal regulations governing drones. The reported decision, R v Shah, 2017 ABQB 144, will have an impact across Canada as this new area of law grows and develops.
  • Representing a client in a lawsuit alleging product defect liability against multiple parties along the supply chain, negotiating dismissal and indemnification of a national supplier of commercial plumbing and sewage piping products.
  • Conducting a comprehensive risk management audit, developing standard owner and subcontractor agreements and helping streamline overall business processes for a leading landscaping and snow removal company.
  • Providing strategic advice to an emerging unmanned technology business in NWT related to contracts and helping them navigate the unique issues related to drones.

Emerging Technology 

  • An interest in new technology led Erika to establish and lead Field Law’s Emerging Technology team.
  • Focused on UAV (drone) law, driverless vehicles and cyber liability, Erika helps clients navigate the dynamic legal, business and insurance landscape of emerging technologies.
  • She is one of a few litigators with experience in drone, cryptocurrency, cyber, and cannabis law.

Cannabis 

  • Erika uses her 13 years of litigation experience handling corporate and commercial disputes to assist our clients operating in the cannabis sector.
  • With experience spanning the technology, insurance, cannabis, construction, and energy sectors, Erika has achieved success at all court levels in Alberta.

Litigation/Insurance

  • Erika works with clients to develop effective legal strategies to overcome legal challenges, both in litigation and in developing risk management strategies to avoid the courtroom altogether.
  • Erika has a wealth of experience providing advice and solutions to her clients relating to corporate commercial matters, builders’ liens, property and commercial general liability, product liability, wrap-up, builders’ risk, and motor vehicle claims.

Pandemic Liability
The Morning News with Sue Deyell and Andrew Schultz, CHQR
(7:07) Erika Carrasco discusses how COVID-19 will affect the insurability of long-term care facilities post-pandemic.

New Canadian Drone Regulations
Ted Henley, CityNews
(3:54) Erika Carrasco discusses the new rules for flying drones in Canada that come into effect on June 1, 2019.

Will new rules for drone flights in Canada make our skies safer?
Judy Aldous, CBC News
Transport Canada published new rules for flying drones in Canada that come into effect on June 1, 2019. Erika Carrasco discusses these new rules and answers questions on Alberta at Noon with Judy Aldous.

Could new technology keep drones from spying on you?
Vanessa Hvratin, National Post
Erika Carrasco offers perspective on the current challenges facing the drone industry, and how new technology and privacy laws could impact future drone legislation.

Legal eagle to explain how to soar like a drone properly
Peter Caulfield, Journal of Commerce
Ahead of Calgary Buildex 2017, Erika Carrasco provides background on her presentation on safe, legal use of drones: It's a Bird, It's a Plane, No It's a Drone! Legal Know-how for Successful Use and Operation of UAVs on Construction and Commercial Real Estate.

First Calgarian convicted for flying drone wins new trial after appeal
Shawn Logan, Calgary Herald
Erika Carrasco grants insight into the complexities of UAV Regulations in Canada, and her involvement as counsel in the appeal of the first person in Calgary charged under those Regulations.

As a young female entrepreneur in the aerospace industry, it was important to Alietum’s founder, Jennifer Waugh, that her legal representation was both personable and approachable. Through their involvement with Unmanned Systems Canada, Jennifer met Fielder Erika Carrasco and found what she was looking for.  “Not only is Erika a leader in emerging technology law, but she is a strong female voice in a traditionally male dominated industry” said Jennifer.

Field Law supports Alietum with all its legal matters, including providing advice on issues unique to drone regulation and the industry. Talking about her experience working with Erika, Jennifer said, “Erika's knowledge and experience of the legal and industry issues impacting drone technology is invaluable to my business.  When additional support is needed, Erika is able to reach out to a strong team of fellow lawyers at Field Law. Erika is confident and concise in her advice, and I trust her to professionally represent me and my company’s best interests.”

Education
University of Calgary, 2006, Bachelor of Laws
McGill University, 2001, Bachelor of Commerce
Admissions
Alberta,2007
Languages
French