Rachel has significant experience representing a wide range of clients in high stakes consumer, contract, and other commercial litigation. Her practice focuses both on consumer-facing and business-to-business disputes. In addition, she has extensive experience in counseling clients on compliance and regulatory issues. She handles litigation and regulatory enforcement matters at all stages, including through jury and bench trials and arbitration, as well as resolving cases informally through mediation and settlement conferences. She also advises clients on prelitigation compliance as well as litigation risk management.
Rachel has spent most of her 20+ year career in private practice, but prior to joining Benesch, she spent several years in government practice. She worked in the General Counsel’s office at AC Transit and— immediately before joining Benesch——as a Deputy City Attorney in the city of Berkeley, where she was in charge of all third-party tort claims against the city as well as advising various city departments on a wide range of matters. This experience gives her a unique perspective and valuable insight to her clients, particularly when dealing with government agencies and regulatory compliance issues.
One of her specialty areas is Proposition 65 matters, where she has experience not only representing clients in litigation but also providing solution-oriented advice and counsel on compliance and risk management issues. Rachel also advises clients on retail issues, such as weights and measures, and has experience with employment litigation, including wage and hour claims, PAGA claims and discrimination claims.
Rachel founded and created Benesch’s Black Employee-Led Resource Group (ERG). She is Chair of the committee and focuses on cultivating a culture of diversity and inclusion at all levels of the firm.