Karen M. Rackel, KC

Email: rackel@rackelbelzil.ca
Direct Phone: 780.392.3323
Fax: 780.451.8460

Karen M. Rackel, KC was born in Edmonton, where she has been practising law for over 35 years.  She graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws.  Initially, Karen had a very general practice. However, her current focus is now on wills and estates real estate, and corporate and commercial law. She was awarded the designation of Queen’s Counsel in 2005.

For 10 years prior to practicing law, Karen worked part-time for a major trust company administering estates. Accordingly, she has over 45 years of experience in wills and estates. Best Lawyers in Canada has recognized Karen as one of the top trust and estate lawyers in Canada since its inception, and, in 2013, she was named the best trust and estate lawyer in Edmonton. Lexpert also regularly recognizes Karen as an expert in wills and estates.

Karen was a sessional instructor for wills and estates for second- and third-year law students at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law for several years. She taught the Wills section of the Bar Admission Course for 10 years; served as the past president of the Estate Planning Council; is the past chair of the Canadian Bar Association Wills Section; prior Board member of the LESA Legal Education Society of Alberta; and has been a member of the Surrogate Rules Advisory Committee since 2001. She has been a member of STEP Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners Edmonton Branch since it was formed and is a founding member of CETL Collaborative Estates and Trust Lawyers.

Over the years, Karen has been particularly active within the community, most notably in the golfing world.  She is a past president of the Highlands Golf Club, as well as the past president of Alberta Golf. In 2011, Karen become the first female president of the Royal Canadian Golf Association, operating as Golf Canada. Karen was also a founding director, and is the current secretary, of the Florence E. Taylor Charitable Foundation, an organization which awards annual scholarships to women.

Karen considers herself a problem-solver, and takes a very practical approach to all her matters.  She feels privileged to represent a number of clients and their families who have been clients of the firm for over 60 years.