Michela Fiorido

Michela, having joined Harris as a student articling, ascended to an associate role in September 2015 and made partner by January 2023. She specializes in privacy and access law, alongside managing cases related to bullying, harassment investigations, and promoting respectful environments, especially within the entertainment industry.

In her role, Michela actively defends clients in front of both provincial and federal privacy commissioners. She offers nuanced guidance to entities across the public and private sectors regarding privacy obligations. Her expertise extends to managing information access requests, overseeing cross-border data flows, and ensuring compliance during the collection of diversity data. She navigates the complexities of third-party service agreements and advises on the adoption of workplace technologies, including artificial intelligence, online monitoring, and surveillance practices. Furthermore, Michela's work involves the sensitive handling of personal data, ensuring its collection, usage, and disclosure align with legal standards.

Her advisory services are invaluable to First Nations bands and organizations, aiding them in understanding privacy laws' impacts on their operations. Michela crafts policies and handbooks, and counsels on the management, storage, and preservation of archival and historical records.

Michela's commitment to enhancing privacy awareness extends beyond legal representation. She conducts both virtual and on-site training sessions, covering a wide array of topics such as handling access requests, the responsibilities of privacy officers, and the development of privacy management programs.

Her approach to legal challenges is characterized by practicality and a knack for problem-solving, traits that have significantly contributed to her professional achievements. In addition to her legal practice, Michela chairs the firm's Student Committee, guiding aspiring lawyers on their path.

Her academic credentials are equally impressive, holding a JD from the University of British Columbia (2014), an MA from the University of the Fraser Valley (2012), and a BA from Kwantlen Polytechnic University (2010). Michela is admitted to practice law in British Columbia since 2015 and joined the State Bar of California in 2020, marking her as a legal professional of considerable versatility and breadth.