Scott M. Paler

Articles & Presentations

• “Time To Tango With Two “New” Service Offerings: Continuous Monitoring and Social Media Checks” –  Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) Mid-Year Legislative & Regulatory Conference, 2021
• “Yes, It's Probably Time To Reconsider Your Report Language And Structure” – Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) Annual Conference, 2020
• “The 7 Most Important Background Screening Lawsuits In 2019 And The Fresh Insights To Be Gained” –  Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) Mid-Year Legislative & Regulatory Conference, 2020
• “Psst… Your Adverse Action Process Is Springing A Leak” –  Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) (formerly NAPBS) Webinar, 2020
• “End-User Panel: An Honest Discussion About What They Want And When” –  National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS) Annual Conference, 2019
• “The Lifecycle of an Employment Relationship in Six Acts” –  DeWitt Fall Employment Law Seminar, October 2018
• “Class Action Waivers Approved in Pro-Employer Epic Systems Corp. Decision, But Don’t Implement or Change Your Arbitration Agreement Just Yet” –  DeWitt Employment Law News Feed, June 11, 2018
• “Believe It or Not, the FCRA Actually Requires This” –  National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS) Webinar Series, 2017
• “Investigating Employee Theft, Embezzlement, and Other Criminal Conduct in the Workplace” – MRA Employment Law Update – Federal and Wisconsin, 2017
• “Not Sure Where to Start on Legal Compliance? Let’s Talk” –  National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS) Mid-Year Conference, 2017
• “Don’t Bungle Your Last Chance Before a Lawsuit: How to Get Disputes Right” –  National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS) Webinar Series, 2016
• “They Did What??? Preparing for the DOL’s Upcoming FLSA Overtime Wage Changes” –  DeWitt Half-Day Continuing Legal Education Seminar, 2016
• “Background Screening Do’s and Don’ts for Staffing Companies” –  National Association of Personnel Services Lunch and Learn Education Series, 2016
• “Yes, End-User Contracts Matter! So Let’s Get Them Right!” –  National Association of Personnel Services Lunch and Learn Education Series, 2016
• “FCRA Class Actions: Minimizing Litigation Woes for Employers” –  The Knowledge Group / The Knowledge Congress Live Webcast Series, 2016
• “Little Mistakes Can Lead to Big Class Actions” –  National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS) Mid-Year Conference, 2016
• "SEC Attacks Language Commonly Used in Settlement and Severance Agreements” – DeWitt Employment Law News Feed, November 2016
• “Must Employers Pay Employees To Put On Clothes And Equipment Before Their Shift?” –  DeWitt Employment Law News Feed, April 2016
• “Increased FCRA Background Check Litigation – How Employers Reduce Risk in 2016” –  The Knowledge Group / The Knowledge Congress Live Webcast Series, 2015
• “Identifying Compliance Priorities by (“Hold Your Nose!”) Thinking Like A Plaintiff’s Attorney” –  National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS) 2015 Annual Conference
• Co-Presenter “Wage Issues In The Agricultural Industry” –  Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin Business Conference, 2015
• “How to Conduct Legally Compliant Job Applicant and Employee Background Checks in Wisconsin” –  State Bar of Wisconsin – Inside Track, 2015
• “Practical Tips for Handling Three Of The Most Challenging Employment Law Issues” –  Wisconsin Specialty Cheese Institute 2015 Annual Meeting
• “Employment Law for Government Attorneys” –  Wisconsin Department of Justice 2015 Conference on Employment Law
• “Don’t Bungle Your Last Chance Before A Lawsuit: How To Get Disputes Right” –  National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS), 2015 Annual Conference
• Co-Presenter, “Building An Effective, Legally-Compliant Background Screening Program” –  National Association of Sports Officials Annual Conference, 2015
• “Do Pregnant Employees Have a Legal Right to a Workplace Accommodation?” –  DeWitt Employment Law News Feed April 2015
• “Employers: Know Risks Before Instituting English-Only Workplace Rules” –  DeWitt Employment Law News Feed, June 2014
• “ADAAA Temporary Disability Coverage – Even Temporary Injuries May Need to be Reasonably Accommodated” –  DeWitt Employment Law Blog, February 2014
• Co-Presenter “Avoiding A New Class Action Minefield: Concrete Tips To Reduce Employee/Applicant Background Screening Risks” –  Wisconsin Association of Corporate Counsel 2014 Annual Conference
• Co-Presenter “Social Media in the Workplace” –  Metro Milwaukee Society for Human Resources 2014 Spring Conference
• Presenter “I Work For Who? The Subtle Nuances of Temporary Employees in the Workplace” –  Pulp and Paper Manufacturers Association 2014 Annual Conference
• Presenter  “Check Yourself: Avoiding Employee/Applicant Background Screening Risks” –  State Bar of Wisconsin Continuing Legal Education Program, 2014
• Presenter “Times They Are A Changing: New Best Practices For Handling 7-Year Reporting Limits Under Federal And State Law” –  National Association of Professional Background Screeners 2014 Annual Conference
• Co-Author  “Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity In The Workplace” –  State Bar of Wisconsin Continuing Legal Education Program, 2014
• Co-Presenter “The Most Pressing Legal Issues Confronting Your End-Users (And How You Should Handle Them)” –  National Association of Professional Background Screeners 2014 Annual Conference
• Presenter “Employment Law And Regulatory Changes At The Federal Level” –  Dane County Council of Public Affairs Quarterly Lunch Series, 2014
• Presenter “Best Practices For Complying With The EEOC’s Background Screening Guidance” – Jungle Source Client Webinar Series, 2014
• Co-Presenter “How To Avoid The Biggest Overtime And Wage Mistakes” –  Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants Continuing Education Seminar, November 2013
• “Supreme Court Considering if Employers Should Pay FICA Taxes on Severance Pay for Reduction-in-Force” –  DeWitt Employment Law News Feed, November 2013
• “Don’t be a Target – Revise Criminal History Section of Job Application Just Like Target Corp” –  DeWitt Employment Law News Feed, November 2013
• Co-Presenter “10 Concrete Tips For Limiting Your Legal Risk In The Fastest-Changing Employment Areas” –  Celerity Staffing Solutions Client Seminar, October 2013
• Co-Presenter “Hiring and Screening In Long Term Care” –  Wisconsin Health Care Association / Wisconsin Center for Assisted Living Fall Convention, October 2013
• Co-Presenter “Can You Fire The Chronic Complainer?” – Society for Human Resource Management State of Wisconsin Annual Seminar, October 2013
• “Don’t Forget To Include Time Limit in Employee Confidentiality Agreements in Wisconsin” – DeWitt Employment Law News Feed, September 2013
• Presenter “EEOC Criminal History Guidance: One Year Later” –  National Association of Professional Background Screeners’ 2013 Annual Conference
• “Employee Background Screening Programs That Fail To Incorporate 2012 EEOC Guidance Under Attack” –  DeWitt Employment Law News Feed, June 2013
• Co-Author “Small Mistakes With Employee Background Screening Can Cause Big Problems” – Madison Society of Human Resource Management Newsletter, June 2013
• Keynote Speaker “Building and Managing a Best-Practice Background Screening Program” –  Southeastern Wisconsin Association of Healthcare Recruiters Annual Conference, May 2013
• Co-Author “Smart PTO Policies Can Pay Off For Employers” – Madison Society of Human Resource Management Newsletter, May 2013
• “Small Employment Background Screening Mistakes Can Cause Big Problems” –  DeWitt Employment Law News Feed, May 2013
• Co-Author “Retaliation Remains Most Common EEOC Charge In 2012” –  Madison Society of Human Resource Management Newsletter, March 2013
• “A Smart Vacation Payout Policy Can Pay Off for Wisconsin Employers” – DeWitt Employment Law News Feed, March 2013
• Co-Presenter “Onboarding Your New Hire” –  Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants Seminar, February 2013
• Co-Author “EEOC Foreshadows Plans of Attack” –  Madison Society of Human Resource Management Newsletter, February 2013
• Co-Author “How to Deal With Retaliation in the Workplace” –  DeWitt Employment Law Blog, February 2013
• Co-Author “Time To Re-Think Maximum Leave Policies” – Madison Society of Human Resource Management Newsletter, January 2013
• “Top 3 HR Priorities For 2013” –  DeWitt Employment Law News Feed, January 2013
• Presenter “Background Screening, Drug Tests & Reference Checks: Keys for Developing Sound & Legally Compliant Policies & Practices”  – Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants Seminar, December 2012
• Co-Presenter “Background Screening Compliance Tips” –  Plumbing Contractors Association of Southeastern Wisconsin Seminar, November 2012
• Co-Presenter “A Case Study: Hiring, Discipline, & Discharge” –  Milwaukee Society of Human Resource Management Employment Practices Seminar, May 2012
• Presenter “Steps Every Employer Should Take BEFORE The Perfect Candidate Starts Work” – DeWitt HR Roundtable, February 2012
• Presenter  “Not So Great Expectations: Navigating the Dreaded Termination Process” – DeWitt Employment Law Seminar, November 2011
• Presenter “10 Tips For Limiting Your Legal Risk as a CRA When You Don’t Even Know Where to Begin” –  National Association of Professional Background Screeners’ 2011 Mid-year Conference
• Author “Is Your Company Complying With E-Verify?” –  DeWitt HR Advantage, August 2011
• Author “Is your organization ready to pay $6 million for an employee background screening mistake?” – Wisbusiness.com, May 25, 2011
• Co-Presenter “Hot Topics in Employment Law” –  Celerity Staffing Solutions Training Seminar, May 2011
• Co-Author “Insulate Your Company Against Sexual Harassment Claims: Five Important Reminders” –  DeWitt HR Advantage, April 2011
• Presenter “Don’t Get Sacked: Five Lessons to Learn From The Recent Sexual Harassment Claim Filed Against a Former Quarterback and One of His Former Teams” –  DeWitt HR Roundtable, March 2011
• Presenter “Hiring And Evaluating Legally And Correctly” –  Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association Annual Conference, February 2011
• Presenter “Wisconsin Wage and Hour Laws” –  Lorman Seminar, February 2011
• Presenter “Job Applications, Background Checks, and Pre-Employment Decision-making” – DeWitt Employment Law Seminar, November 2010
• Co-Author “Safe Screening, Safe Hiring” –  HR Advisor, July 2009
• Co-presenter “FCRA Basics” –  National Association of Professional Background Screeners’ 2009 Annual Conference
• Co-presenter “Identity Theft: A Consumer Reporting Agency’s Responsibilities Under the FCRA” –  National Association of Professional Background Screeners’ Web Seminar, June 2008
• Co-presenter “Hot Topics in Background Screening” –  SHRM Web Seminar, May 2007
• Contributing author, 2007 American Bar Association Equal Pay Act Report
• Contributing author, 2005-2006 American Bar Association FLSA Report

Awards & Recognitions

• Wisconsin Rising Stars® (Employment and Labor Law) – 2013-2019
• Julie Strasser Award for Demonstrating Outstanding Concern for the Needy
• The Intellectual Property Achievement Award
• 2016 Client Choice Award Winner, Employment & Benefits

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

Notable Representations

Background Screening Matters for Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs)

• Assisted many CRAs in evaluating whether they could report certain information to end-users under Fair Credit Reporting Act and state laws
• Assisted several CRAs in developing strong end-user contracts
• Helped numerous CRAs to prepare robust vendor contracts
• Assisted many CRAs in drafting sample consent forms for end-users
• Worked with many CRAs to devise electronic system for background screening consent forms
• Assisted numerous CRAs in improving the quality of their dispute processes
• Assisted man CRAs in evaluating whether they could report certain information to end-users under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and state laws
• Advised many CRAs on compliance priorities

Background Screening Matters for Employers

• Advised many employers on how to comply with “Ban the Box” laws and “Fair Chance” Acts
• Assisted several companies to reach favorable outcomes on claims alleging that they had improperly considered criminal history information and/or credit history information
• Prepared background screening consent form for many large and small employers
• Prepared credit check consent form to be used by employers in states where new credit laws require specific consent language
• Prepared adverse action letters for many large and small employers to ensure compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and relevant state laws
• Prepared background screening policy for employers

Employment Counseling

• Informed various companies how to properly conduct reference checks on job applicants, and how to handle incoming reference requests
• Conducted exempt status audit for multiple major corporations designed to assess whether certain individuals should be reclassified as non-exempt from overtime (i..e, eligible for overtime)
• Assisted several companies in developing restrictive covenants for various categories of employees
• Counseled various businesses on how to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in challenging situations
• Assisted a small employer to smoothly transition misclassified workers from exempt to non-exempt.
• Helped various companies to conduct employee handbook reviews
• Handled day-to-day calls from franchise owners seeking quick assistance in employment matters
• Provided counseling to numerous employers on how to handle a potential termination
• Helped employer to address severance issues related to a reduction in force

Employment Litigation

• Helped obtain summary judgment for a large transportation company accused of engaging in race and national origin discrimination
• Helped reach a favorable outcome for a large retailer accused of retaliation under Title VII
• Helped a large transportation company to reach a favorable outcome in a case accusing it of retaliation under the Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA)
• Prepared position statements and obtained “no probable cause” findings for companies accused of discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
• Successfully defended employers before the Wisconsin Equal Rights Division at both the investigative and administrative appeal stage

Commercial Litigation Matters

• Obtained summary judgment or dismissal of five asbestos lawsuits for a Wisconsin construction company
• Second-chaired trial defense of a large mining company accused of multiple Clean Water Act violations and helped client to secure a successful outcome
• Helped to arrange a successful outcome for a company accused of violating its buy-sell agreement
• Assisted several clients to resolve claims alleging that they had misappropriated trade secrets and engaged in various other intellectual property violations