Miss Rachel Howie LL.B., LL.M., FCIArb

Rachel Howie (She/Her/Hers) is the co-leader of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution group in Canada and the national Alternative Dispute Resolution and Arbitration group. Her practice focuses on international and domestic arbitration and litigation, primarily in the energy, mining and natural resources industries.

Rachel has experience advising clients at all stages of a matter, helping them protect and operate their business. She frequently assists domestic and international clients with drafting dispute resolution clauses in transactional documents, works with ADR mechanisms to resolve or prevent disputes and advocates on behalf of her clients in arbitration and litigation proceedings. Due to her extensive expertise, she is recognized by clients as a “real thought leader in international arbitration for energy, adept at handling cross-border issues and well positioned to deal with domestic and international matters” (Chambers Canada). Her clients appreciate her practical advice and solutions that align with their commercial goals, describing her as “brilliant, focused and incredibly skilled at quickly digesting and responding to new information, making her an invaluable asset to any project” (Chambers Canada).

Rachel has acted on matters involving energy, mining and resources issues across North and South America, Central Asia and South-East Asia. She has experience under several institutional rules, including ICC and ICSID, as well as ad hoc proceedings. Rachel also acts as arbitrator in domestic and international disputes. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a member of the NextGen Roster of Arbitrators at Arbitration Place and a listed arbitrator on the rosters of the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) Canada, Vancouver International Arbitration Centre and the Singapore International Arbitration Centre reserve panel of arbitrators. Rachel currently serves as a Vice-Chair on the ICC Commission on Arbitration & ADR Steering Committee, as a director for the Western Canada Commercial Arbitration Society and is a frequent speaker and author on international and domestic arbitration matters.

Rachel has handled a wide range of disputes involving industry relationships and agreements including joint venture agreements, supply agreements, farmout agreements, ownership and operating agreements, electricity purchase and sale agreements, oil and gas asset purchase and sale agreements, transportation agreements, royalty agreements, services agreements, seismic licensing agreements, marketing arrangements and agreements and confidentiality agreements. Additionally, Rachel handles matters involving environmental issues, such as claims for contribution to remediation and issues relating to water and soil contamination, along with matters of accounting and audit rights, purchase price adjustment disputes, claims of force majeure, disputes arising from production on aboriginal lands, shareholder disputes, product liability claims and distribution agreements.