Robert Rakochey
Robert "Rob" Rakochey
Partner,
Practice Group Leader
Overview
Experience
Professional
Recognition
Community
News + Views + Events
Speaking Engagements

Rob Rakochey, KC has practiced dispute resolution and risk mitigation since being called to the Alberta Bar in 1990. He has appeared as counsel in all courts in Alberta and the federal court system, both as counsel for litigants and as an ad hoc prosecutor. With his extensive dispute background, Rob works with many clients to mitigate and avoid risks associated with their business activities.

Rob’s practice in dispute resolution and risk mitigation is varied. He routinely provides advice to developers, contractors (both general and sub-contractors), insurance companies, major financial institutions and captive lenders on a variety of issues, including construction matters, employment issues, occupational health and safety, contractual and commercial claims, insurance matters (both liability defence and coverage) shareholder disputes and oil and gas issues. Rob is the practice group leader for the Dispute Resolution Group in Calgary. 

Value to Clients

“I resolve problems effectively and efficiently and deliver practical solutions to prevent and mitigate future issues. By combining my broad knowledge, experience and pragmatic approach I take an objective view of each case and explore every option available to try to achieve my client’s desired outcome.”

Outside the Office

Rob prepares championship level Barbeque for his family and friends. Sometimes that includes venison and other wild meats from his hunting escapades. To burn the calories Rob is passionate about handball and golf. Rob is well known for his extensive community involvement, including volunteering as a coach at the YMCA and for Special Olympics, and being a Founder of the Business Fore Calgary Kids Foundation.

Canadian Bar Association, Construction Law subsection
Member
Canadian Bar Association, Civil Litigation subsection
Member
Law Society of Alberta
Member
Calgary Bar Association
Member
Alberta Trial Lawyers Association
Member
DRI
Member
Construction Lawyers Society of America
Fellow
2020
Listed Construction Law
The Best Lawyers™ in Canada
2020 - 2024
"Litigation Star"
Benchmark Canada
2020 - 2023
"Notable"
Martindale-Hubbell
2020 - 2021
Alberta Handball Association
President and Director
2008 - Present
Business For Calgary Kids Foundation
Founder
2006 - Present
The United Way of Calgary and Area
External Counsel
1995 - 2019
2008 Canadian Handball Championships
Co-chair
Rotary Club of Calgary North
President
1999 - 2000
Rotary Club of Calgary North
Director
August 2023 - 5 min read
Trying to Dissolve the Corporate Veil? Not Likely.
Condominium Corporation No. 0828219 v Carrington Holdings Ltd. is a recent decision reinforcing the long-standing principle that parent corporations and subsidiaries are separate legal entities and damage caused by a subsidiary ...
December 2022 - 4 min read
Push it to the Limit: Amendments to the Provincial Court Act
While the increased civil claims limit will not be effective until designated by regulation, the proposed increase from $50,000 to $200,000 opens up the Provincial Court to larger and more complex cases. This gives litigants more flexi...
November 2022 - 3 min read
Arbitration and Litigation and Bankruptcy, Oh My!
What happens when a party who has agreed to arbitrate its dispute goes bankrupt? If the arbitration process compromises the efficiency of the receivership process, the Court may decide to deal with the dispute and the entire bankrupt e...
October 27, 2022
An Employer's Guide to Hybrid Work Arrangements
Workshop
Employers have been navigating the COVID-19 pandemic longer than we anticipated, creating unforeseen challenges for management and human resources departments. As the dust continues to settle, many employers are moving to implement fully remote or...
August 2022 - 4 min read
Final Countdown: Top 5 Things to Keep in Mind for Prompt Payment
The Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act (“PPCLA”) comes into force on August 29, 2022, nearly two years after Bill 37 was first tabled. With only five days left, here are the top five things for all construction companies and...
July 2021 - 5 min read
Contract Drafting Secures Millions in Pre-Judgement Interest
Bidell Equipment LP v Caliber Midstream GP LLC, 2020 ABCA 478 (“Bidell”) is a recent appeal decision showcasing the importance of a properly drafted contract and its significance during contractual disputes. Additionally, this decision high...
February 2021 - 5 min read
Discretionary Powers in Contracts: The Duty to Act in Good Faith
Since 2014, Canadian courts and tribunals have struggled with the application of the duty to act honestly in the performance in contractual obligations, recognized by the Supreme Court of Canada ("SCC") in Bhasin v Hrynew. In attempts to...
January 2021 - 6 min read
Deception + the Honest Performance of Contracts
In 2014 the Supreme Court pronounced that good faith contractual performance is a general principle in the common law of contracts and that there is a common law duty applicable to all contracts to act honestly in the performance of obligations; B...
November 2020 - 3 min read
Largest Costs Award in Alberta Human Rights History Upheld on Appeal
In Facey v Bantrel Management Services Co., 2020 ABQB 719 Rob Rakochey and Austin Ward successfully defeated an appeal of a watershed costs award granted against a complainant in a human rights case.  The respondent to the appe...
November 2020 - 4 min read
Weir in Agreement: Alberta Court of Appeal Confirms Summary Rule
In Hannam v Medicine Hat School District No. 76, 2020 ABCA 343 (“Hannam”), the Alberta Court of Appeal re-affirmed its position in the previously well-known 2019 decision of Weir-Jones. Hannam is a significant decision a...
Winter 2020
2019 - A Year in Review Seminar Series
Seminars
Join the Field Law Labour + Employment Group for our annual seminars featuring legal updates and practical challenges for management and employee groups.Part 1 has been approved for 1.75 CPD hours and Part 2 has been approved for 2.25 CPD hou...
  • “Defamation Bytes: The Law of Defamation and the Internet,” Federated Press Seminar, 5th Internet Law Course, March 3 and 4, 2011.
  • “New Rules of Court,” Legal Education Society of Alberta, September, October, November, 2010.
  • “Advice and Direction on Issues Relating to the Provision of Expert Evidence in Forensic Matters,” Investigative and Forensic Accounting Conference, October 20 and 21, 2008.
  • “Advising a Debtor — Liability and Ethical Considerations,” Seminar on practicing estate planning for the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, May 18, 2006.
  • “The Risks of Playing 'Hardball' — Some Thoughts on Keays v. Honda Canada Inc.,” Lorman Seminar on Employee Leave Issues, May 3, 2006.
  • “Occupational Health & Safety Law for Lone Workers: Compliance and Good Practice,” Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada Seminar on Wireless and Telecommunications Technology, October 6, 2005.
  • “Acceptable Use Policies — Criminal Law, Civil Law and Practical Applications,” High Technology Crime Investigation Association, September 2005.
  • “Boom, Bust, Liable — An Explanation of Liability Issues for Financial Planners and Suggestions on How to Avoid Liability,” Canadian Association of Financial Planners, June 20, 2000.
  • Numerous other lectures and continuing legal education seminars for clients and the profession on various topics including insurance-related issues, issues relating to litigation preparedness, occupational health and safety, class actions, commercial issues and matters relating to the Personal Property Security Act.
Education
University of Alberta, 1989, Bachelor of Laws
University of Alberta, 1986, Bachelor of Commerce With Distinction
Admissions
Alberta,1990