Erika Carrasco Overview Experience Professional Recognition Community News + Views + Events Experience Media Client Stories 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 construction 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 - 2024 "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 June 25, 2024 Supply Chain Legislation + Sustainability: Understanding the Risks Lunch + Learn Join global supply chain experts Achilles and Field Law for a discussion centred on the global wave of supply chain legislation, its connection to ESG principles and the risks and the opportunities for Canadian businesses.
Embracing Environmental, S... 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 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. 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... Litigation
- Successfully opposed multiple appeals all the way to the ABCA of a Judgement Debtor relating to the registration of a multimillion dollar Judgement under the Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgements Act granted in Ontario, 2024 ABCA 144
- Successful removal of Certificate of Lis Penden (“CLPs”) registered by Plaintiff against corporate land in an shareholders’ dispute/oppression claim, 2024 ABKB 7
- 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.
- She 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.
Emerging Technology
- 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.
- 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.
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. Drones 101
CBC News
A Calgary lawyer who specializes in emerging technologies — like unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) which are commonly called drones — says while the current drone laws are confusing there are amendments coming this spring that could make things a lot clearer. 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 |
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