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Steven D. Olson

Office: 503.802.2159
E-Mail: steven.olson@tonkon.com

Education:
J.D., magna cum laude, University of Minnesota Law School
M.P.H., with honors, Tulane University, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
B.S., Dean's List, United States Coast Guard Academy

Admitted to Practice:
Oregon
Washington
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon

Biography:
Steve is a trial lawyer with a broad range of commercial litigation experience. He represents companies, shareholders, and business professionals in cases involving breaches of contract, business torts, shareholders disputes, unlawful trade practices, injunctions, product defects, real estate transactions and employment matters.

Steve's experience includes litigation and trial work in federal and state courts, as well as in private arbitration and mediation. Steve has served a broad client base including, among others, The Greenbrier Companies, Nike, Sprint and Costco in disputes in Oregon and across the country. Representative cases include:

• Successfully asserting claims for breach of fiduciary duty, dissolution and minority shareholder oppression seeking damages of over $3,000,000.
  
  
• Prevailing on summary judgment against a nearly $15,000,000 claim arising out of a train derailment in Nebraska.
  
  
• Successfully asserting claims for breach of contract and warranty seeking damages of $4,200,000 caused by defective professional services.
  
  
• Prevailing on summary judgment against disability discrimination claims brought against a national sporting goods and apparel company.
  
  
• Successfully asserting claims on behalf of the City of Portland arising out of defects in a new utilities software billing system.
  
  
• Prevailing on summary judgment against dissenters' rights and breach of fiduciary duty claims seeking nearly $3,000,000.
  
  
• Successfully asserting breach of fiduciary duty and contract claims of $700,000 brought against a corporate director and public utilities company.
  
  
• Obtaining a defense verdict against wrongful discharge and retaliation claims brought against a large timber company.
  
  
• Obtaining a favorable arbitration award against rescission and damages claims arising out of a real estate transaction.
  
  
• Successfully defending against injury claims brought against manufacturing and timber companies.
  
  
• Successfully asserting and defending against injunction claims involving non-competition, non-solicitation and confidentiality agreements.
  
  
• Successfully asserting Alien Tort Claim Act and human trafficking claims brought by an Ethiopian woman.

Before becoming a lawyer, Steve served six years as an officer in the United States Coast Guard. He spent time at sea, and then managing the Port of New Orleans. In his leisure time, Steve enjoys playing and coaching sports, cooking, travelling, and most importantly, spending time with his wife and daughters.

Professional Organizations:
Oregon State Bar
Washington State Bar
Multnomah Bar Association
Federal Bar Association
Owen M. Panner Inn of Court