Lunch in the Boardroom with Steve Olson '86

As a former federal prosecutor at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles, Steve regularly represents public companies, boards of directors and executives in criminal and civil matters against government enforcement agencies. He also advises companies on complex and sensitive internal investigations concerning allegations of corruption, securities fraud, conflict of interest and theft of trade secrets. Steve has extensive jury trial experience both at the government and in private practice. Steve led the team that represented Contessa Foods in a jury trial against two former top executives for theft of trade secrets. Contessa was awarded a multimillion-dollar judgment, punitive damages, and a complete defense verdict on counterclaims.The Daily Journal recognized Steve’s win as one of the “Top Plaintiff Verdicts of 2009.”

Steve rejoined O’Melveny in July 2013 after serving as senior advisor to U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson and Acting Secretary Rebecca Blank. In that role, Steve addressed many of the country’s important business issues, including U.S. manufacturing policy, the protection of trade secrets, and U.S. anti-corruption policy. Steve also served as executive director of SelectUSA, President Barack Obama’s initiative to attract increased investment in the United States by domestic and international businesses.

Olson earned a bachelor's degree with honors from Stanford University and a J.D. from the University of Michigan, where he was contributing editor for the Michigan Journal of International Law.