Neil N. Olsen

Neil Olsen's practice focuses on real estate, land use, and business matters, including eminent domain and property rights litigation, business and real estate litigation, and development and construction concerns.

Neil's litigation experience is broadly based. He has litigated real estate disputes, condemnation matters, Measure 49 claims, commercial and construction contract disputes, employment-based claims, and various business tort claims. He is experienced in all forms of dispute resolution, from negotiation and mediation to arbitration, trial, and appeal.

On the transactional side, Neil helps clients navigate the acquisition, development, sale, and lease of commercial property. He also advises clients on business formation and related transactions.

Neil also brings to the table experience in construction and design law. He has advised owners, contractors, and design professionals on contract formation issues, contract disputes, construction defect claims, professional liability issues, and bond and lien claims.

Prior to becoming a lawyer, Neil served as a research specialist and legislative analyst for the Texas House of Representatives.

Practice Highlights

Eminent Domain

• Represent property owners whose property is targeted for condemnation by TriMet for right of way and other purposes related to the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project and other public transit projects.
• Represent property owners in condemnation cases related to road and highway projects, including road widenings and road extensions.
• Regular speaker on public infrastructure projects and protection of property owners' just compensation and due process rights when faced with threat of a taking by condemnation.

Property Rights

• Represent property owners in Measure 49 claims, including administrative and judicial review proceedings.
• Represent property owners in vested rights cases.

Land Use

• Represented property owner group in its successful efforts to alter major road-widening project planned for established residential area.

Real Estate Litigation

• Represented commercial property seller in enforcement of earnest money promissory note, resulting in a judgment for full amount of the note, interest, and attorney fees and costs.
• Represented commercial land contract vendor in breach of contract and trust deed foreclosure claims, resulting in favorable outcome for the client.
• Represented commercial tenant in dispute with landlord regarding breach of signage provisions in lease and breach of the covenant of quiet enjoyment, resulting in favorable outcome for the client.
• Represented buyer of multiple commercial properties in defense of breach of contract claims by the seller of the properties and prosecution of counterclaims for breach of contract and intentional misrepresentation by the seller, resulting in favorable outcome for the client.

Real Estate Transactions

• Represent national wireless communications company in negotiating leases for office and retail space.
• Represent national communications infrastructure company in negotiating leases for office and technical space.
• Represented purchaser of substantial agricultural properties and subsequent leasing of those properties to producers.
• Represented buyers of residential subdivision lots in structuring special purposed entities and contractual relationships necessary for the finance, purchase, and build-out of the lots.

Commercial and Employment Litigation

• Represented national imaging company in prosecution of trade secret and non-disclosure claims against two former employees, resulting in favorable outcome for the client.
• Represented regional telecommunications company in prosecution of trade secret, non-disclosure, and non-competition claims against two former employees, resulting in favorable outcome for the client.
• Represented home builder in insurance coverage dispute with the carrier of its commercial general liability policy, resulting in favorable outcome for the client.
• Represented regional restaurant company in enforcement of arbitration agreement with former employee, resulting in favorable outcome for the client.
• Represented regional pharmaceutical company in enforcement of contract with skilled nursing facility, resulting in favorable outcome for the client.
• Represented specialty contractor in defense of wage claims by former employee and pursuit of separate trade secret, non-disclosure, and business tort claims against the former employee, resulting in favorable outcome for the client.
• Represented various employers in defense of wage and hour claims, statutory discrimination claims, and employment-based common law tort claims.

Construction Law

• Represent developer in breach of contract and construction defect claims against general contractor.
• Counseled numerous contractors, architects and engineers in relation to drafting and interpreting construction and consulting contracts, risk minimization, and regulatory compliance.
• Represented numerous contractors, subcontractors, architects and engineers in construction lien matters.
• Represented numerous contractors and subcontractors in contract and construction defect litigation.

Publications

• Portland-Milwaukie Light-Rail "Mega Project" Moves Forward, Daily Journal of Commerce, April 26, 2011

Education/Admissions

• J.D., Lewis & Clark Law School, 2005
  • Executive Editor, Lewis & Clark Law Review
  • Judicial Extern to the Honorable Michael W. Mosman,
    United States District Court for the District of Oregon
  • Business Roundtable Scholar
• B.A., Government, University of Texas at Austin, 1998
• Oregon State Bar
• United States District Court for the District of Oregon

Contact

Neil@ZupGroup.com
503-941-9622 direct
503-858-8929 cell
Downloadable V-Card