Overview
Rachel regularly advises clients on the complicated patchwork of both state and federal employment laws, including issues such as employment and non-compete agreements, employment handbooks and policies, and employee personal data protections and obligations. She also is an experienced litigator who has represented individuals, businesses, and corporations in a wide array of lawsuits, including contractual disputes, unfair and deceptive trade practices litigation, and claims brought under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disability Act, and the Age Discrimination Employment Act.
Rachel also focuses her practice on data privacy and information security. Rachel is a Certified Privacy Professional (CIPP/E) with a deep understanding of U.S. and international data privacy laws. She regularly advises her clients on compliance with CCPA, GDPR, FERPA, COPPA, and the increasing number of state privacy laws being passed in the U.S. Leveraging her background in technology and digital strategies, Rachel works closely with clients on issues such as digital advertising, e-commerce, SaaS products, and mobile applications. She regularly drafts privacy policies, terms of service, data license agreements, and consumer-facing privacy notices. Rachel is adept at assessing and mitigating risk, while also helping her clients to implement and execute policies and procedures efficiently, with minimal disruption to their business. She regularly drafts and negotiates client vendor contracts for SaaS products, software subscriptions, applications, and professional services with a particular eye toward data privacy and information security.
Rachel believes in using her role to create equity and inclusion in not just her workplace, but in the world. She is dedicated to pro bono work and regularly represents clients in domestic violence matters, drivers license reinstatements, criminal record expunctions, immigration and asylum matters, and civil rights claims. She is a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee of the Mecklenburg County Bar Association and the MVA LGBTQ+ Affinity Group.
Rachel received her J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law, where she was inducted into the James E. and Carolyn B. Davis Society, recognizing students for both academic and personal excellence. Prior to law school, Rachel lived and worked in Washington, D.C., where she specialized in digital strategies for organizations and campaigns. She earned her M.A. from American University and her B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill .
Representative Experience
- Successfully represented large financial institution client against consumer contractual and statutory claims, winning on summary judgment
- Negotiated numerous data processing addenda, cybersecurity agreements, and data sharing agreements for corporate clients
- Obtained favorable settlement for major healthcare startup in a high-dollar contractual dispute
- Advised and counseled numerous employers during COVID-19 pandemic on issues ranging from vaccination programs and CARES Act unemployment requirements to employee privacy and use of biometrics in the workplace
News
News
Blogs and Resources
Blog Posts
Capabilities
Education
J.D., University of North Carolina School of Law, 2019
B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2005
Admissions
- North Carolina, 2019
- U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina