Aaron Crews Rejoins Littler as Chief Data Analytics Officer

Employment and labor law firm Littler announced the return of Aaron D. Crews to the firm as its first Chief Data Analytics Officer, based in the Sacramento office.

In this new role, Crews will manage the operations of Littler’s data analytics practice and lead the development and implementation of technology-based solutions that provide value to the firm and its clients, the firm said in a release. He will work closely with Dr. Zev J. Eigen, Littler’s Global Director of Data Analytics, a team of data analysts, and others within the firm who are guiding Littler’s efforts in data analytics, AI and other technology-based tools and methodologies. Crews will also use data analytics tools to facilitate process improvements and efficiencies, and assist in protocols for the secure handling of data.

“Aaron’s addition comes at an important time for Littler and the legal industry as a whole, as the use of data analytics to guide business and legal decisions only continues to grow,” said Tom Bender and Jeremy Roth, co-managing directors of Littler, in a joint statement. “Aaron will play a key role in formalizing our business strategy and enhancing our capabilities as we continue to expand our data analytics capabilities.”

Crews joins Littler from Text IQ, a provider of AI technologies to address legal and compliance issues, where he served as general counsel and vice president of strategy. Prior to that, he was global head of eDiscovery at Walmart and oversaw the company’s eDiscovery process and litigation strategy and managed data analytics initiatives. Prior to joining Walmart, Crews was a shareholder with Littler and counseled clients on eDiscovery, the use of computer forensics in investigations and litigation, and protocols related to the collection and analysis of data.

“Littler is one of the few firms that has a genuine appetite and history of embracing innovation and leveraging technology to improve the delivery of legal services,” said Crews. “One of the most significant trends affecting our industry is the rise of legal operations teams within corporate law departments. The opportunity to create a legal operations role within a law firm was too good to pass up and helps further Littler’s unique ability to provide solutions that focus on clients’ needs and pain points.”

“We’ve developed several initiatives over the years that use data analytics to better serve clients and the time had come to create a position focused on managing our operations in this area,” said Paul Weiner, Littler’s National eDiscovery Counsel. “We are fortunate to bring on Aaron who has the right experience, skills and vision to collaborate with clients, corporate departments and our own attorneys to develop new data analytics applications and improve legal processes that will advance our position as a market leader in law firm innovation.”

Crews has served on the advisory boards of several technology companies and startup organizations, and is a prolific writer and accomplished speaker. He received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of San Francisco School of Law and his B.A. from the University of California at Davis.