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Marin Independent Journal article, Sunday, February 15, 1998; Business section E front page

After spending years working with criminal defendants, Les Rosen decided to go into the veracity business. "I ran into so many cases that could have saved so much pain and suffering, and economy as well, if people had made sure they knew who they were dealing with," said Rosen, a prominent criminal defense attorney.

Rosen, whose legal career began 21 years ago, cut back on his case load to start Employment Screening Resources (ESR) in San Rafael.

The new business, on Mitchell Boulevard, opened in October and aims to prevent embezzlement and other criminal acts by investigating job seekers before they are hired. Screening packages costs up to $169.

Doug Bird, head of Tex Pro, a hardware maintenance company in San Rafael, called on ESR because he didn’t have the expertise or time to conduct background checks of job applicants. Tex Pro contracts with state and federal agencies and banks to service sophisticated high-tech equipment. "In our field of engineering we have to be able to trust our workers that they don’t go snooping around." Bird said. "Les picked up stuff we never would have pick up," he said. "One applicant in particular, we discovered, had some falsified educational records and there was some adverse information from a prior employer,…I thought he was a straight arrow."

Job applicants sign a consent form allowing for the background checks. ESR then verifies credentials, resumes and job applications for the potential employer.

ESR does more than present its findings to a personnel department. Rosen uses his legal background to make sure the information complies with government laws on privacy. "We just don’t provide documents, we give an understanding of federal and state laws and give solutions by taking care of all of the prescreening." Rosen said.

The Tiburon resident just expanded to handle background screening for any employer in the United States.

William McNeill is the managing attorney for the San Francisco-based Employment Law Center, a nonprofit organization that offers legal services to low-income people and those fearing unlawful termination. He understands the need for background checks for certain positions. Still, McNeill warns of a cottage industry that says: "send me your tired and hungry applicants and I will see who they are."

Rosen, 47, downplays the "Big Brother" aspect. He pointed out that the applicant’s consent is obtained and that his service focuses on what a person does in public life instead of delving into his or her private life. "This service is a benefit for the workplace. Employees would like to feel good when they go to work for a firm. Everybody wants to work in a place that is safe and has qualified people working."

Rosen was praised by colleagues.

"He is an extremely hardworking, conscientious guy and, I believe, very much a person of principle," said Bill Pryor, who oversees Marin’s adult probation department. Pryor was not surprised Rosen changed gears and open ESR. "He’s the kind of guy not comfortable doing one thing. He has a good mind and a sense for doing other things."

Mike Samuels, chairman of the Marin County Bar Association Family Law, sad he worked with Rosen on a few business cases through the years and found him to be meticulous. "I think one of the reasons for his success is the fact he is very thorough and investigates everything and checks out every angle. He never lets anything just slide by." Samuels said.

In 1996 Rosen took a year off to unwind by traveling the world. He visited 25 countries and even spent a couple of months in the South Pacific scuba diving in Bali and other islands.

"I got postcards from all over the world from him, said Patricia Williams, a deputy district attorney who shared an office with Rosen when they were both junior deputies years ago. "For all of that humor and easy-going exterior, he is still a real workaholic and still persistent," Williams said. "His new business is similar to trial work, but it sounds like what he is doing is a lot more fun." she said.

Employment Screening Resources

can be reached at (415) 472-7788.

E-Mail: ESR@ESRcheck.com