(August 18, 2020) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, today announced that shareholder Erin Webber (Denver) will become president and managing director of the firm, effective January 2021, for an eight-year term. Webber succeeds Tom Bender and Jeremy Roth, who served as co-presidents and co-managing directors since 2013 and will continue in the role until the end of 2020, when their term ends.
“It's been our honor to lead the firm these past eight years – and we’re confident that Erin will continue to advance Littler's strategic plan and further position the firm as the dominant labor and employment powerhouse globally,” said Bender and Roth in a joint statement. “We are excited for her vision and to further build upon the firm’s commitment to key areas, such as inclusion and diversity, global expansion, innovation, recruitment and talent development, and client service. Erin has held a number of important leadership roles and her intimate knowledge of the firm will be an incredible asset for Littler’s future.”
Webber previously served as office managing shareholder for Littler in Denver and Kansas City. She has also been a 10-year member of the firm’s Board of Directors and its Associates Committee and has chaired the firm’s Shareholder Candidate Committee since 2013. Between now and January, she will work closely with Bender, Roth and Littler’s management team to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities and operations.
“Over the past eight years, Tom and Jeremy have successfully led our firm and cemented its position as the world’s leading labor and employment law firm, growing Littler to more than 1,500 attorneys in 94 offices across 23 countries,” said Kate Mrkonich Wilson, chair of the Board at Littler. “We look forward to Erin taking on the role in 2021. Her extensive legal background and deep understanding of Littler make her the right choice to expand upon Tom and Jeremy’s efforts, as well as to continue the steady guidance of steering the firm through the ongoing issues associated with the pandemic. Erin’s leadership experience, talent and vision will be instrumental as we continue to advance the firm’s strategic business goals over the next eight years.”
“I look forward to taking the reins in 2021 and continuing to grow Littler’s prominence worldwide,” Webber said. “While 2021 will pose unique challenges for our clients and our firm, I am committed to working diligently with our leadership teams to navigate the issues ahead while further pushing the boundaries of innovation, inclusion and how we deliver world class legal services to our clients around the globe.”
Among Bender and Roth’s top accomplishments are expanding the firm’s inclusion and diversity efforts. This resulted in Littler earning widespread client and industry recognition as an inclusive and diverse law firm through the Minority Corporate Counsel Association’s inaugural Sager Award and from numerous other organizations, including The American Lawyer, National Law Journal, Diversity Lab, the Human Rights Campaign, Law360, the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Vault Law 100, the Women in Law Empowerment Forum, Working Mother Magazine and Yale Law Women.
Additionally, the firm’s innovative products and service solutions grew exponentially, including the launch of Littler onDemand, ComplianceHR, the Pay Equity Assessment Tool, the Restructuring Assessment Solution and the Robotics, AI and Automation practice, and the expansion of the Littler CaseSmart® platform and the firm’s broader data ecosystem. Under their leadership, Littler has been recognized as an innovative law firm by the Financial Times, the Association of Corporate Counsel, the International Legal Technology Association, College of Law Practice Management, The American Lawyer and The Recorder, among others.
One of Bender and Roth’s most significant accomplishments was the establishment of the firm’s world-class Global Services Center (GSC) in Kansas City, a move that has greatly improved the efficiency of the firm’s business operations. The GSC, which recently celebrated its five-year anniversary, houses all of Littler’s operational and corporate departments.
Globally, Bender and Roth drastically expanded the firm’s worldwide presence with offices in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Poland, Singapore, United Kingdom and Venezuela.
About Erin Webber
In her practice at Littler, Webber counsels and represents management on discrimination, harassment, retaliation and leaves of absence and disability accommodation matters. She defends employers before federal and state courts, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Missouri Human Rights Commission, the Kansas Human Rights Commission and the Colorado Civil Rights Division. Webber also helps clients train employees and managers.
Webber earned her J.D. and B.A. from the University of Missouri.
About Littler
With more than 1,500 labor and employment attorneys in offices around the world, Littler provides workplace solutions that are local, everywhere. Our diverse team and proprietary technology foster a culture that celebrates original thinking, delivering groundbreaking innovation that prepares employers for what’s happening today, and what’s likely to happen tomorrow.
