Stephanie Olson
Stephanie Olson

Stephanie Olson

Counsel

Seattle | Boise

Introduction

Stephanie focuses on high-stakes litigation in trial and appellate courts throughout the country and has extensive experience practicing before federal and state courts in Western Washington.

Stephanie Olson regularly represents clients in the technology, retail, aerospace, finance, and real estate industries. Her practice involves counseling and litigating a broad range of disputes, including consumer protection class actions, state attorney general investigations, federal and state agency actions, constitutional and appellate litigation, contract disputes, fraud, receiverships, business dissolutions, product liability, and private arbitrations. She manages complex, high-profile litigation by developing and implementing strategic discovery plans and driving cases toward successful dispositive motions. 

Stephanie brings an innovative, creative approach to complex legal issues and handles cases from start to finish. She is a persuasive writer and skilled advocate with significant appellate and trial court experience. Stephanie has led the drafting of numerous successful dispositive motions, managed and conducted key depositions, and led expert preparation through discovery and trial. 

Before joining Ashurst Perkins Coie, Stephanie served as acting deputy general counsel for the U.S. Department of Commerce. In this role, she managed the department's litigation and more than 100 lawyers; worked closely with senior leaders at the 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 Hon. Lawrence VanDyke on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. 

Stephanie maintains an active pro bono practice. She co-authored multiple amicus briefs before the Supreme Court of the United States 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 serves as a board member of the Washington Coalition for Open Government. 

Education & credentials

  • University of Washington School of Law, J.D.
  • University of Illinois, B.A., Philosophy, 2012
  • Wheaton College, B.A., International Relations, 2007
  • 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
  • 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, 2024-2027

  • Selected as Rising Star for Washington Super Lawyers, 2019-2020, 2025

Impact

  • 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

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.

U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho
Successfully defended a mine exploration company by opposing attempts to reopen prior litigation.

Madison County, Illinois
Defending Amazon in multiple wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits arising from a tornado that struck a warehouse.  

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Assisted in securing dismissal for healthcare services provider from federal litigation.

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.

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Defending healthcare services provider in litigation in which plaintiffs allege constitutionally deficient medical care.

Ada County, Idaho
Successfully obtained appointment of a receiver to oversee the dissolution of multimillion-dollar LLC.