Lawyer Profile
Rachel Cooper
Toronto, Ontario
Overview
Rachel is described by clients as a bold advocate, who is practical, efficient, and a creative problem-solver. Her practice focuses on product liability defence and products-related regulatory issues in the automotive, industrial manufacturing and consumer products sectors. She has extensive experience defending manufacturers in product liability actions, involving products ranging from automobiles, construction, agriculture, and industrial machinery, and recreational vehicles, to fire and security products, consumer products, building materials, and juvenile products.
Rachel acts as national coordinating counsel for several manufacturing clients, managing their product liability litigation matters across Canada. She provides advice to clients in relation to the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act and routinely handles product recalls, working on global recall teams. She further provides proactive risk management advice and strategies, including warnings and manual reviews.
Rachel also acts in the insurance space, advising on complex coverage issues and litigating insurance disputes across a wide range of industries.
Rachel is Chair of the Products Liability Section of the Federation of Defence and Corporate Counsel (FDCC), the Vice Chair of Membership Development Committee at FDCC, and is the Client Concierge for the Product Liability SLG of the Defence Research Institute (DRI).
Ontario Court of Appeal confirms the corporate veil can be pierced where those in control direct a wrongful act, even within the corporation's operations.
In a landmark decision, the Ontario Court of Appeal unanimously overturned the Handley Estate Rule regarding disclosure of partial settlements
The Court of Appeal gives a warning to defendants on the consequences of pursuing what could be interpreted as "hardball" settlement strategy.
A June, 2025 Superior Court decision allows designers, manufacturers, and distributors to invoke the ultimate limitation period in product liability claims.
Practice Areas
Bar Information
Called to the bar: 2009 (ON)