Karen D. Olson

Karen previously led the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Division at the Attorney General’s Office and prosecuted numerous landmark cases that gained national attention and resulted in significant monetary recoveries and industry changes. In her government role, she regularly interacted with other state and federal entities on joint enforcement actions, investigations, and regulatory matters.  Karen also worked on legislative matters and testified before the legislature.

While in private practice, Karen handled complex litigation matters for clients operating in a variety of industries. She defended national manufacturing companies in multidistrict litigation and class actions involving hundreds of cases across the country. Karen has also litigated many business disputes that benefitted from her business background gained by working in private industry prior to becoming a lawyer.

Karen has led hundreds of enforcement actions and government investigations for the Attorney General, environmental state agencies, the Minnesota health licensing boards, and other state agencies and boards. She uses her investigation and enforcement background to assist clients on regulatory matters, pending government investigations, and enforcement matters to advise them on how to proceed and on how to take proactive steps to potentially avoid or minimize regulatory concerns. Karen represents clients in all stages of interaction with the government and regulator and understands the unique challenges in dealing with these entities.  She helps clients understand and effectively deal with government rules and regulations, government inquiries, and lawsuits.

Karen has significant first-chair trial experience and has tried numerous cases in state and federal district and administrative courts.  She has also represented clients and argued matters before the Minnesota Court of Appeals, Minnesota Supreme Court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.