Zachary W. Smith
Zack Smith is a labor economist in the Labor & Employment Practice at Charles River Associates, where he partners with attorneys, human resources leaders, and executives to address workforce, compensation, compliance, and litigation challenges by combining rigorous economic and statistical analysis with practical business judgment.
Mr. Smith’s experience spans wage and hour litigation, pay equity analyses, proactive employment studies, regulatory compliance, and workforce analytics. He works with organizations across industries to evaluate personnel decisions, identify potential areas of risk, and develop strategies that support both litigation defense and broader business objectives.
Mr. Smith regularly assists employers and their counsel in wage and hour matters involving state and federal labor laws. He develops economic analyses and dynamic exposure assessments to inform case strategy in matters related to regular rate calculations, off-the-clock claims, meal and rest period compliance, overtime eligibility, rounding practices, and worker classification.
In employment and pay equity matters, Mr. Smith designs and implements statistical analyses of compensation, hiring, promotions, performance evaluations, attrition, and other workforce outcomes. He works closely with organizations to assess employment practices, develop remediation strategies, and navigate equal pay certifications.
Mr. Smith also helps organizations use workforce data to inform strategic decision-making. His experience includes developing workforce analytic tools, executive summaries, and forecasting models that enable leaders to both monitor trends and anticipate future talent needs.
Within CRA, Mr. Smith has developed analytical tools used across the Labor & Employment Practice, designed and delivered training programs, and mentored junior consultants at all levels. In recognition of his dedication, integrity, and teamwork, he received CRA’s Corporate Stewardship Award in 2025.