Tom Olson has practiced exclusively in construction law for twenty years. After receiving his J.D. from Hamline University and editing its Law Review, he taught trial skills there for eight years. He has argued at the Minnesota Court of Appeals, and United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the North Dakota Supreme Court, and other high courts around the nation. His knowledge and energy has shaped Olson & Price, Ltd. into the preeminent construction law firm in the region.

Education

• J.D., Hamline University School of Law (1985)
• Editor, HAMLINE UNIVERSITY LAW REVIEW
• Member, Mock Trial and Moot Court Teams
• B.S., University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point (1982)
• University of Georgetown Center of Strategic and International Studies (1990)
• AAA Arbitrator II Workshop (2002)
• AAA Arbitrator Update (2002)
• AAA Construction Industry Arbitrator Training (1998)

Honors

• Selected as a “Super Lawyer” in Minnesota Construction Law by Minnesota Journal of Law and Politics (2000)
• Nominated for “Super Lawyer” in Minnesota Construction Law (2001-2003)
• Adjunct Professor

Trial Skills (1986-1994)Hamline University School of Law

• Instructor

Analyzing/Documenting Job Changes (2001-2002)

• Minnesota Utility Contractor Association (“MUCA”)

Construction Scheduling and Job Coordination (1997-1998)

• Minnesota Associated General Contractors (“AGC”)

Documenting/Job Changes (1996)

• Associated Builders and Contractors (“ABC”)

Speeches and Publications

• DBE Legal Challenge (2001)

AGC of America-1st Highway Contractors Issues Meeting

• DBE Legal Challenge (2001)

Nebraska AGC State Convention

• DBE Legal Challenge (2001)

North Dakota AGC Annual Convention

• DBE Legal Challenge (1999)

National AGC Mid-Year meeting

• Jobsite Documentation/DBE Requirements (1997-1998)

Minnesota AGC Annual Convention

• Getting Paid for Project Changes (2000)

Dakota Asphalt Pavement Association Annual Conference

• Construction Management (1999)

Minnesota Asphalt Pavement Association Annual Meeting

• Jobsite Documentation (1998)

Minnesota Utility Contractors Association Conference

• Construction Changes (1997)

Minnesota ABC Seminars

• Construction Contracting for Public Entities in Minnesota: Scheduling and Job Coordination (2000)

Lorman Education Services

Bar Admissions

• All Courts of the State of Minnesota
• The State of Nebraska
• The State of South Dakota
• United States District Court for the District of Minnesota
• United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
• United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
• United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Professional and Trade Associations

• Minnesota State Bar Association, Member
• Construction Law Section, Minnesota State Bar Association, Member

Noteworthy Experience

• Advised contractors and sureties in construction for over 18 years.
• Tried cases before arbitration panels, both state and federal courts, and also before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals.
• Argued appeals before the Minnesota Court of Appeals, North Dakota Supreme Court, and United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
• Assisted in the preparing of a lien and bond analysis for every state within the United States.
• Assisted in preparing an analysis of every states’ specifications.
• Successfully challenged the assessment of liquidated damages on numerous projects.
• Assisted in the update/revision of numerous construction schedules (both CPM and bar chart).
• Assisted numerous contractors in cooperatively securing extra payment and time extensions on city, county, state and military projects.