Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2015 Vivian Rachlis conducts neutral investigations, provides dispute resolution services, and provides legal advice on neutral matters. She conducts independent workplace, respectful workplace, ethics, regulatory and institutional investigations.
Vivian’s work supports clients in a variety of sectors. She has particular expertise supporting the work of public institutions and publicly regulated institutions and businesses. Her clients appreciate her specialized subject matter knowledge pertaining to employment (including workplace conflict), privacy and health care law. Vivian is an effective and empathetic communicator with sound judgment and strong professional ethics.
From 1987 to 2018 (with a five year absence to practice in house with a large health care organization), Vivian practiced in the fields of advocacy, administrative and regulatory law, labour and employment and alternative dispute resolution at Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP. In 2018, Vivian founded her own boutique law firm, focussing on investigations and other neutral matters, including advising tribunals, boards and committees, and other neutral bodies.
Given her experience as an in house lawyer, Vivian understands the operational and governance considerations that are critically important to many types of institutions.
Vivian has been involved with her profession throughout her legal career. She has served as a member of the following standing committees of the Law Society of Manitoba: Complaints Investigation, Discipline, Admissions and Education, Equity, Trust Safety Committee, and Practice and Ethics. She was recruited to serve on Special Committees of the Law Society, including the committee that re-drafted the Code of Professional Conduct, the Independence of the Legal Profession, Communications Committee, Access Stakeholders, and Elections. Vivian has served as a member and Chair of Law Society Discipline committees, and has been a learning group facilitator and examiner in post-graduate legal training.
EDUCATION:
B.A. (Hons.) 1977 University of Manitoba
J.D. 1984 University of Manitoba
CALL TO THE BAR:
Manitoba, 1985
LEGAL TEACHINGS and SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS (a selection):
Manitoba Bar Association Health Law Section, Respect for Autonomy or Elder Abuse? End of Life Treatment Decisions, Criminal and Civil Consequences, March 2015
Presenter, Canadian Bar Association National Legal Conference, St. Johns NL, “Dealing with Difficult People,” August 2014.
Presenter, Women in Leadership Conference, “Managing Conflict”, May 2014.
Presenter, Canadian Corporate Counsel Association Spring Training Camp, “Privacy and Compliance: What you need to know”, April 2014.
Presenter, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Population and Public Health Annual Conference, “Age of Consent and Child Protection Legislation”, March 2013.
Manitoba Bar Association Health Law Section, The Insite Decision, 2012.
Law Society of Manitoba Continuing Professional Development, Practical Ethics, 2012.
Presenter, Compliance Day™ 2012 and 2103, “When the Regulators Come Calling”.
Presenter, “Age of Consent (Sexual Offences)”, 2011.
Lecturer, Health Law, University of Manitoba Medical School, 2009 and 2010.
Grand Rounds, St. Boniface General Hospital, “Consent”, 2009.
Grand Rounds, Health Sciences Centre, “Legal Issues and Social Work Practice in Health Care”, 2008.
CURRENT COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Public representative to the Board of Directors, Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) Manitoba.
