Scott Paler is a partner at DeWitt LLP. He serves as Chair of the Firm’s Background Screening Practice Group, Past-Chair of the Firm’s Employment Practice Group, and an active member of the Firm’s Litigation Practice Group.
Scott has developed a niche expertise in background screening. Over his career, Scott has advised more than 100 background screening companies on compliance and business issues. He has worked closely with them to develop strong end-user and vendor contracts, determine whether information can be reported under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and state laws, and resolve disputes. He has also defended multiple background screening companies in litigation. Scott previously served as Co-Chair of the Litigation Avoidance Committee for the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS), led NAPBS’ Insurance Task Force, and participated in NAPBS’s Best Practice Steering Committee. He is currently a member of NAPBS’ Ethics Committee and regularly presents on industry trends and best practices at national background screening conferences.
In addition to working with background screening companies, Scott has assisted employers nationwide in creating and administering sound, legally compliant background screening programs. Among other things, he has helped employers prepare consent forms and adverse action letters, determine when they can reject a candidate based upon background screening information, and respond to complaints related to their background screening practices.
Apart from background screening, Scott has advised employers on a wide range of traditional employment issue such as employment applications, employee handbooks, wage practices, non-compete agreements, disciplinary investigations, and terminations. He has also represented numerous organizations—from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies—in federal court, state court, and administrative forums. Such disputes have included: discrimination, harassment, non-compete, background screening, wage, breach-of-contract, employee theft, shareholder/partner, environmental, and asbestos cases.
For the last six years, Wisconsin Super Lawyers has recognized Scott as a “Rising Star.” In addition, in 2016, Scott was named the exclusive winner of the Client Choice award in the area of Employment and Benefits in the State of Wisconsin. The Client Choice award recognizes attorneys around the world that stand apart for the excellent client care they provide and the quality of their service. Attorneys can only be nominated for this award by corporate counsel.
Clients
Scott has worked with organizations in a variety of industries including: healthcare, retail, information technology, staffing, manufacturing, accounting, agriculture, background screening, transportation, insurance, construction, non-profit, and a variety of others.
Client Recommendations
Scott is “among the most qualified in his field.” – Client
“What distinguishes Scott from other lawyers is his ability to collaborate and creatively problem solve for clients.” – Client
Scott’s “attention to detail and willingness to go above and beyond for clients is always the same, regardless of the case.” – Client
“Scott is more than a competent lawyer - he is also a trusted adviser.” – Client
“I have known and worked with Scott Paler for a couple of years and have nothing but good things to say. Scott has the ability to see all sides of a situation while incorporating our business position. This approach results in him providing comprehensive advice to ensure our company is not legally compromised.” – Client