Ruark W.

Chick

Position: Chief Information Officer
Office: Baton Rouge

Ruark Chick is the firm’s chief information officer (CIO). He develops and leads strategic technology initiatives that strengthen client service, improve legal practice, and help the firm achieve its business and community service objectives.

Ruark leads Jones Walker’s information technology (IT) department with a focus on empowering attorneys and staff through strategic IT solutions. A member of the firm’s executive management team, he follows a straightforward leadership philosophy grounded in four foundational pillars for success: integrity, strong work ethic, accountability, and service orientation. To this end, Ruark has created and continues to foster a department culture that directly supports the firm’s legal and administrative professionals.

Under his guidance, the firm has successfully navigated three major systemic challenges: the infrastructure and human services obstacles following Hurricane Katrina; the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting transition to remote work (and back); and the strategic, secure adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that enhance legal practice while minimizing potential risks. Ruark regularly develops, implements, and fine-tunes rolling three-to-five-year IT strategic plans with measurable outcomes and accountability frameworks.

Throughout his decades of service at Jones Walker, Ruark has led transformative technology initiatives that directly support the firm’s delivery of high-quality, reliable legal services. In addition to implementing a comprehensive disaster recovery infrastructure that ensures attorneys can maintain client service during emergencies, he has spearheaded the early adoption of cloud technologies (such as iManage Cloud) that streamline document management for legal teams and developed AI-powered research agents that reduce attorney research time while improving accuracy. Ruark’s innovations have eliminated technology barriers, reduced administrative overhead for practice groups and management teams, and increased the firm’s cybersecurity preparedness and resilience.

Ruark’s leadership approach has fostered remarkable team stability within his department, with a number of team members employed at Jones Walker for more than 20 years. This has helped his group ensure consistent support for all attorneys and staff.

Beyond Jones Walker, Ruark has been instrumental in advancing Louisiana’s technology sector. As the founding CIO and a founding board member of the Louisiana IT Symposium and a longtime board member of the Louisiana Technology Council (LTC), he helped revitalize the organizations and attract industry leaders, including Microsoft and Adobe, to the state. These efforts contributed to Louisiana’s technology employment ranking improving from 49th to 32nd nationally. Ruark also founded the Annual IT Leadership Gala, which raises funds for statewide STEM initiatives.

Ruark speaks frequently to legal, technology, and other industry groups about emerging issues facing IT leaders. Among other topics, he has presented on cybersecurity and the use and management of generative AI at events sponsored by the LTC and the International Legal Technology Association (ILTA).

Over the years, Ruark has provided leadership and volunteer service to organizations as diverse as the American Red Cross (where he served as board chair), Habitat for Humanity, Junior Achievement, and United Way. He is committed to helping identify and nurture the careers of promising IT professionals from all backgrounds.