Stephanie Olson
Stephanie is a litigator who represents companies and individuals in high-stakes litigation across the country.
Stephanie Olson has represented clients in a broad range of disputes, ranging from constitutional and appellate litigation to trade enforcement, national security issues, administrative actions, contract disputes, receiverships and business dissolutions, product liability and negligence claims, and private arbitration. She has deep experience in managing complex litigation on high-profile cases, including developing and implementing strategic discovery plans and driving cases toward successful dispositive motions.
Clients count on Stephanie for her innovative thinking and creative approach to thorny legal issues and to handle complex cases from start to finish. Stephanie is a persuasive writer and skilled advocate with significant appellate and trial court experience. As acting Deputy General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Commerce, Stephanie managed the department's litigation and its over 100 attorneys, worked closely with senior leaders at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and other cabinet-level agencies, and reported directly to the Department of Commerce's General Counsel, Deputy Secretary, and Secretary. She has also advised the White House on high-profile litigation, defended Fortune 500 companies in trade secret cases, and clerked for the Honorable Judge VanDyke on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Stephanie is passionate about her pro bono practice, having co-authored multiple amicus briefs before the United States Supreme Court and delivered oral arguments before the Ninth Circuit on First Amendment issues. She has also been active in the William L. Dwyer Inn of Court and currently serves as a board member of the Washington Coalition for Open Government.
Stephanie graduated with honors from the University of Washington School of Law, where she served as an editor of the Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy, as well as the Washington Journal of Law, Technology & Arts. Before her legal career, Stephanie worked as a paralegal and volunteered as Washington State's Advocacy Leader for the anti-human trafficking organization International Justice Mission.
Areas of focus
Industries
Services
Education & Credentials
Education
- University of Washington School of Law, J.D., with honors, Editor, Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy; Articles Editor, Washington Journal of Law, Technology & Arts
- University of Illinois, B.A., Philosophy, magna cum laude, 2012
- Wheaton College, B.A., International Relations, 2007
Bar and Court Admissions
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Washington
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Idaho
Related Employment
- U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of General Counsel, Washington, D.C., Acting Deputy General Counsel, 2019-2020; Senior Counsel to the General Counsel, 2019; Senior Counsel in the Office of Special Projects, 2019
- Klinedinst PC, Seattle, WA, Associate, 2017-2019
- Freedom Foundation, Olympia, WA, Litigation Counsel, 2015-2017
- Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP, Seattle, WA, Discovery Law Clerk, 2014
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, Judicial Extern to the Hon. Ronald B. Leighton, Tacoma, WA, 2014
- Washington State Attorney General's Office, Seattle, WA, Criminal Litigation Unit Law Clerk, 2013
- Perkins Coie LLP, Seattle, WA, Paralegal, 2007-2011
Clerkships
- Hon. Lawrence VanDyke, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Professional Recognition
Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Commercial Litigation Law, 2024
Selected as Rising Star for Washington Super Lawyers, 2019
Impact
Professional Leadership
- Washington Coalition for Open Government, Board Member, 2018-2019, 2022-Present
- Puget Sound Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society, Executive Board Member, 2017-2019
- William L. Dwyer American Inn of Court, Member and Selected Pupilage Leader, 2014-2019
Insights
News
Professional Experience
McEwen v. Amazon.com, Inc., et al. (Consolidated Litigation)
Madison County, Illinois
Defending Amazon in multiple wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits arising from a tornado that struck a warehouse.
Shepherd, et al. v. Yiwu Thousandshores E-Business Co. LTD et al.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma
Assisted in summary judgment filings on behalf of Amazon in a matter involving a third-party seller issue, which resulted in settlement.
Valenzuela v. RVT Solutions LLC
Ada County, Idaho
Successfully obtained appointment of a receiver to oversee the dissolution of multimillion-dollar LLC.
Michelle v. South Correctional Entity, et al.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Assisted in securing dismissal for healthcare services provider from federal litigation.
Burghart v. South Correctional Entity, et al.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Defending healthcare services provider in litigation in which plaintiffs allege constitutionally deficient medical care and wrongful death.
Tapia v. NaphCare, Inc., et al.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Defending healthcare services provider in litigation in which plaintiffs allege constitutionally deficient medical care.
Idaho Conservative League, et al. v. U.S. Forest Service, et al.
U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho
Successfully defended a mine exploration company by opposing attempts to reopen prior litigation.