Barry Nadell is a widely recognized authority in the field of employment background screening, with decades of expertise in the legal and regulatory issues surrounding pre-employment investigations. Throughout his career, he has played a pivotal role in shaping industry standards, providing expert consultation, and testifying as an expert witness in litigation concerning background screening procedures.
In 1994, Barry founded InfoLink Screening Services, a premier provider of background screening services, and served as its president. Under his leadership, InfoLink grew into one of the nation’s most trusted background screening firms, processing hundreds of thousands of employment background checks. His success led to the acquisition of InfoLink by Kroll, the world’s leading risk mitigation company, in 2006. Following the acquisition, Barry continued his leadership in the industry as the Senior Vice President of Kroll’s Background Screening Division until his retirement in 2007.
As a thought leader in the background screening industry, Barry Nadell was a founding member of the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS), where he served on the board of directors for four years and co-chaired the board in 2006. His contributions helped establish best practices and ethical standards within the field. Additionally, Barry has been a licensed private investigator in California and an associate member of the American, California, and Los Angeles Bar Associations.
Beyond his business leadership, Barry is a distinguished author and speaker. He wrote Sleuthing 101: Background Checks and the Law, the only book dedicated exclusively to the legal complexities of employment background screening. His expertise has been sought by numerous media outlets, and he has been quoted in prominent publications, appeared on television programs such as The Bloomberg Report and ABC News, and conducted more than 175 live radio interviews. His ability to convey complex legal and compliance matters in a clear and accessible manner has made him a highly regarded speaker at national conventions for organizations such as the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), National Human Resource Association, Professionals in Human Resources Association (PIHRA), ASIS, and Threat Assessment Professionals.
Barry’s contributions to the human resources and background screening industries have been widely recognized. In 2004, he received the “Excellence in Human Resources” award from PIHRA, the largest SHRM affiliate. Additionally, he played an instrumental role in advising the California Legislature on amendments to legislation impacting how employers conduct background checks while protecting consumer privacy and mitigating identity theft risks.
Currently, Barry is the owner of Nadell Investigations, where he provides expert witness testimony in cases involving background screening practices. His deep knowledge of employment background investigations, including criminal record searches, credit history checks, motor vehicle record verifications, and sex offender registry searches, has made him a trusted resource in both plaintiff and defense cases. He has been called upon to offer professional opinions in negligent hiring lawsuits, ensuring that companies adhere to proper screening procedures.
In addition to his work in background screening, Barry co-founded Form I-9 Compliance, LLC in 2005, a technology company specializing in paperless processing of employment eligibility verification forms (Form I-9) and E-Verify compliance. His involvement in this venture further demonstrated his commitment to streamlining compliance processes for employers.
Barry’s professional journey began in the financial services industry. Prior to his involvement in background screening, he owned and operated Nadell Insurance Services, where he focused on life insurance and financial planning, as well as Aspen Communications, a direct marketing and infomercial consulting firm. His strong foundation in business and finance was shaped by his studies at Arizona State University and The American College of Financial Services, where he earned the Chartered Life Underwriter designation.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Barry is dedicated to philanthropy and community service. He has been a member of the Board of Directors for Ride On Therapeutic since 2010, supporting equine-assisted therapy programs that benefit children with disabilities.
With a distinguished career spanning multiple industries, Barry Nadell remains an influential figure in employment background screening and risk management. His extensive expertise, leadership, and advocacy for ethical screening practices have left an indelible mark on the industry, and he continues to be a sought-after expert for organizations navigating the complexities of background investigations and compliance.
Character: Barry Nadell is a principled industry leader dedicated to ethical background screening practices and legal compliance.
Knowledge: With decades of expertise, Barry is a recognized authority on employment background screening laws, risk mitigation, and compliance.
Strategic: He successfully built and led InfoLink Screening Services, later facilitating its acquisition by Kroll, demonstrating his strategic vision in the industry.
Communication: As a published author, media contributor, and keynote speaker, Barry effectively translates complex legal and compliance matters into accessible insights.
