Dean A. Olson

    Partner
    Los Angeles
    Direct: 213.417.5132
    Main: 213.891.9100

    Practice Focus:

    • Main Biography
    • Asbestos Litigation
    • Catastrophic Injury / Wrongful Death
    • Employment Law
    • Environmental Law
    • Federal Civil Rights & Government Liability
    • Homeowner / Landlord Liability
    • Products Liability
    • Property Boundary Disputes / Landslides

    Dean Olson is a trial attorney, litigator and litigation manager for cases involving products and premises liability, toxic torts, personal injury, business and employment litigation. Dean is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA); he has an active statewide trial practice, and he serves as regional and state trial counsel for a number of clients. He is designated trial counsel and national trial team member for corporations in the defense of products liability and toxic tort claims.

    Dean has tried numerous complex products liability, employment and toxic tort jury trials throughout California for brake and insulation manufacturers, premise owners and medical product manufacturers. Recently, he successfully resolved an asbestos case on behalf of his client shortly before the jury rendered its verdict in excess of $14,000,000 against a remaining defendant. Since 2000, Dean has tried at least one complex jury trial to verdict each year in state and federal court.

    Dean gained his initial trial experience representing law enforcement agencies and officers in state and federal civil rights jury trials. Since the late 1980s, his trial practice expanded into the areas of products, premises, employment and toxic tort liability. Dean recently served as an expert witness and testified in an asbestos insurance coverage trial.

    Dean has made extensive use of the latest techniques in case evaluation and trial preparation including jury focus groups and mock juries. Using alternative dispute resolution approaches, he has achieved a high success rate in the resolution of numerous complex and difficult cases. In the end, the most effective settlement strategy involves thorough trial preparation and the ability to successfully try the case.

    Dean frequently lectures for numerous organizations including seminars on Trial Advocacy and MDL 875 for ACI, Trial Advocacy for the National Business Institute and Fraud Litigation for the Defense Research Institute (DRI). He also provides risk management counseling and advice to his clients to help avoid and minimize legal issues. For example, in response to the growing issue of cyber-bullying, Dean has become an expert in the legal implications of this issue, and advises educational institutions as to precautions to protect their campuses.

    Education

    • J.D., Southwestern University, 1986
    • B.S., Arizona State University, 1983

    Court Admissions

    • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
    • United States District Court for the Central District of California

    Bar Admissions

    • California, 1986
    • Arizona, 1987

    Professional Memberships and Activities

    • American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
    • Los Angeles County Bar Association
    • American Bar Association
    • Defense Research Institute, Insurance Fraud Litigation

    Distinctions

    • American Jurisprudence Award for Contracts, 1983

    Speeches and Publications

    • "California Employment Law: Updates & Changes for 2012," co-presented seminar, San Diego
    • "California Employment Law: Updates & Changes for 2012," co-presented seminar, San Francisco
    • "MDL Update and MDL 875 Lessons Learned," American Conference Institute's 12th Annual Advanced Forum on Asbestos Claims and Litigation
    • National Business Institute (NBI) - Lecturer
    • Defense Research Institute (DRI) - Faculty