Atty. Douglas S. Oles
Practice Emphasis and Experience Construction Business & Real Estate Commercial Litigation Government Contracts For more than 25 years, Douglas Oles has concentrated his practice on helping clients to avoid and resolve disputes on complex contracts relating to construction, supply, energy, real estate development and intellectual property licensing. Today, he is also increasingly involved as a neutral mediator and arbitrator in contract-based disputes.
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About Douglas S. Oles at a glance
Douglas S. Oles is a construction attorney based in Seattle, Washington, practicing at Smith Currie Oles LLP. Educated at University of Washington (—, 1979) and Stanford University (—). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Construction Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Construction (2026), and Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Construction (Seattle) (2021). Serands clients in Seattle, WA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- "Choosing Governing Law and Venue for Disputes in International Arbitration," Society of Construction Law Conference, Kuala Lumpur (September 2014)
- "Contract Eschatology: Suspension & Termination," International Construction Law Conference, London (September 2012)
- "Contract Negotiation and Drafting," Society of Construction Law Conference, Melbourne (May 2012)
- “Technical Claim Defenses,” ABA Construction Forum, Atlanta (October 2011)
- "Resolving Construction Disputes in Canada and the U.S. - Looking Back, Looking Forward," ABA Annual Meeting (August 2011)
- “Forms and Forums in the United States,” Canadian College of Construction Lawyers, Ottawa (June 2011)
- "Construction Claims Disputes and Liability," Pacific Business & Law Institute (April 2011)
- "Communication - Proper & Timely Notifications,” Construction Seminars Northwest (April 2010)
- Society of Construction Law Conference in Hong Kong (December 2010)
- “Federal Contracting,” ABA Construction Forum, Philadelphia (October 2009)
- Society of Construction Law Conference in London (October 2008)
- London Super Conference (2002-2006)
- “Dispute Review Boards,” OMRB Construction and Public Contract Law Seminar (2005)
- “Negotiating Changes to ‘Standard’ Form Contracts,” OMRB Construction and Public Contract Law Seminar (2004)
- American College of Construction Lawyers, Fellow and national journal editor
- American Bar Association, Chair, Forum on the Construction Industry (2005-2006)
- American Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
- JAMS, Panel of Neutrals & GEC Board member
- Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
- Washington State Bar Association, Construction Law Section
- Alaska Bar Association
- International Bar Association
- President, The Rainier Club (2007-2008)
- British Institute of Archaeology at Ankara, life member
- Washington State Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District, Washington
- U.S. District Court, Western District, Washington
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
- J.D., University of Washington, with honors
- B.A., Stanford University, History, with distinction and department honors (Phi Beta Kappa)
- Martindale Hubbell AV rating for over 20 years
- Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America© every year since 2003
- Who’s Who in America since 2008
- International Who’s Who of Construction Lawyers since 2007
- Washington’s “Super Lawyers” since 2006
For more than 25 years, Douglas Oles has concentrated his practice on helping clients to avoid and resolve disputes on complex contracts relating to construction, supply, energy, real estate development and intellectual property licensing. Today, he is also increasingly involved as a neutral mediator and arbitrator in contract-based disputes.
Mr. Oles has prepared, negotiated and litigated claims resulting in recoveries in excess of $100 million on major projects performed for government agencies and private owners. Most of his work has been in Alaska and the western United States, but assignments have ranged from Europe to South America. As a principal developer of the firm’s international contracts practice, Mr. Oles is an Honourary Fellow of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers.
Presentations- Professional and Civic Involvement
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Douglas S. Oles is one of 40,689 construction attorneys indexed nationally. Browse construction attorneys in Washington →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Washington
Practicing law in Washington. Legal matters in Washington are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Seattle are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Washington state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Washington brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Washington courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Washington attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Seattle or all attorneys in Washington.
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