Chuck Palmer is a partner and a member of the Employment Relations Practice Group. He focuses his practice in labor negotiations, employment litigation, Equal Employment Opportunity law, wage and hour, restrictive covenants, independent contractor and employment contracts, workers compensation and Occupational Safety and Health Administration laws and regulations. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Palmer was a founding shareholder of Palmer & Finerty, S.C.

Representative Work

His arguments to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals in Larson v. LIRC, 184 Wis.2d 378, 516 N.W.2d 456 (1994) successfully defended employer rights to use independent contractors free from employment taxes, and set the precedent that was the catalyst for sweeping changes in Wisconsin independent contractor legislation.

Successfully handled many OSHA citation cases, including fatality cases, and has achieved average penalty reductions of over 85% in the past.

Argued OSHA citation cases before the OSHA Review Commission and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

Led labor negotiations for high profile employers and has successfully led clients through union corporate campaigns.

Colleagues often consult Mr. Palmer on complex cases and clients rely on his years of experience in dealing with state and federal enforcement agencies to develop human resource policies and practices that prevent problems and often save clients significant expense.

Successfully managed all labor related aspects of several multi- million dollar transactions, where client acquired union operation and hired or offered to hire majority of existing workforce, yet was able to establish non-union status at closing. One client improved gross operating revenue by over 150% in the first two months after transaction, while decreasing labor costs.

Trial before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission resulted in Steel Erector’s 2 willful and 2 serious citations and penalties in excess of $80,000 being reduced to $0.

Successfully navigated large private contractor for public utility through labor contract negotiations with its 4 unions and long term, formerly public sector employees, to achieve significant health insurance program and wage revisions over difficult 9 month negotiation.

Assisted numerous employers in developing worker’s compensation cost management procedures, achieving large cost reductions.

Professional Activities

Board Member, Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association

Fundraiser, Make a Wish Foundation

Member, Wisconsin Club Finance Committee

Member, Waukesha Chamber of Commerce

Member, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce Association - Workers Compensation Council

Selected Speeches & Publications

Author, Wisconsin Workers Compensation Law, A Handbook for Employers, published by the WMC Foundation

Author, Employers Guide to OSHA

Author, workers compensation chapter for the Wisconsin State Bar Annual Update

Co-Author, The Absence Control Handbook and Drug and Alcohol Testing Handbook