Atty. Per C. Olson
Per Olson practices exclusively criminal defense in state and federal court. He takes on a wide variety of cases from misdemeanors to major felonies, including DUII, fraud and theft, violent crimes, sex crimes, white collar crimes, drug crimes, and other interstate and transnational crimes.
Criminal Defense: General Practice & More Attorney · Serving Portland, OR
Profile Summary
About Per C. Olson at a Glance
Per C. Olson is a criminal defense and white collar attorney based in Portland, Oregon, practicing at Hoevet Olson PC. Educated at Lewis & Clark College (J.D., 1993) and Willamette University (BA, 1990). Recognitions include Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Portland (OR) (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: General Practice (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2026). Serves clients in Portland, OR and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Per C. Olson
- Per Olson practices exclusively criminal defense in state and federal court
- He takes on a wide variety of cases from misdemeanors to major felonies, including DUII, fraud and theft, violent crimes, sex crimes, white collar crimes, drug crimes, and other interstate and transnational crimes
- Per has obtained multiple acquittals for his clients in state and federal court
- Per graduated magna cum laude from Willamette University in Salem, and then attended Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland where he graduated cum laude in 1993
- Per served as the law clerk for Circuit Court Judge Robert W. Redding (1994-1995) and then for Oregon Supreme Court Justice George A. Van Hoomissen (1995-1997)
- Per joined the firm in 1998, and became a shareholder in 2005
- Per is a member of the Oregon State Bar and the Washington State Bar Association
- He is also admitted to the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States Tax Court, and the United States Supreme Court
- Per is a member of the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Multnomah Bar Association
- He has sat on the Pro Bono Committee of the Oregon State Bar's New Lawyer Division and the Group Insurance Committee of the Multnomah Bar Association
- He has written an amicus brief for the ACLU of Oregon, and he is a past board member of Hands On Portland, a nonprofit organization that promotes volunteering in the community
Practice Areas Explained
Per C. Olson's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Per C. Olson handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Portland.
Criminal Defense in Portland
A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.
Per C. Olson is one of 212,605 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in Oregon →
White Collar Crimes in Portland
Per C. Olson is one of 19,824 white collar attorneys indexed nationally. Browse white collar attorneys in Oregon →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Portland
Practicing law in Oregon. Legal matters in Oregon are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Portland are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Oregon state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Oregon brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Oregon courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Portland Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Portland-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Oregon attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Portland or all attorneys in Oregon.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Portland Choose Per C. Olson
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Per C. Olson's practice in the field of criminal defense and white collar.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering criminal defense and white collar, Per C. Olson can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Portland
A Portland-based practice means Per C. Olson attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
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How People Find Per C. Olson Online
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Per C. Olson's Practice Areas & Specializations
Education & Law School Background
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