About Per
Per C. Olson: Criminal Defense Attorney in Portland, Oregon
Attorney Per C. Olson is a dedicated and experienced criminal defense attorney practicing exclusively in state and federal court within the State of Oregon, United States. His practice spans over a broad spectrum of cases, including but not limited to DUII (Driving Under the Influence), fraud and theft, violent crimes such as assault and homicide, sex crimes, white-collar crimes like embezzlement, drug-related offenses, and interstate or transnational criminal matters.
Practice Areas
- Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Criminal Defense: General Practice
Education & Credentials
Per Olson graduated magna cum laude from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. He then pursued his legal education at Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon, where he achieved the highest distinction of cum laude upon graduation in 1993.
Bar Admissions
Per Olson is a member of the Oregon State Bar and the Washington State Bar Association. He has been admitted to practice before 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.
Awards & Recognitions
Per Olson has been recognized as a Lawyer of the Year in Criminal Defense: White-Collar by Best Attorney USA since 2013. He was also named a Recognized Attorney in Criminal Defense: General Practice and was recognized for his expertise in both Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Criminal Defense: General Practice throughout various years (2026, 2024, 2023, 2020).
Professional Affiliations
Per Olson is a member of the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Multnomah Bar Association. He has served on committees such as the Pro Bono Committee of the Oregon State Bar's New Lawyer Division and the Group Insurance Committee of the Multnomah Bar Association.
Publications & Advocacy
In addition to his professional affiliations, Per Olson has participated in notable legal matters. He wrote an amicus brief for the ACLU of Oregon and served as a past board member of Hands On Portland, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting volunteering within the community.
Other Details
Per Olson joined Hoevet Olson PC in 1998 and became a shareholder in 2005. He serves his clients with a deep understanding of their unique circumstances and provides them with individualized legal counsel tailored to their specific needs.
Practice Areas
Education
Awards & Recognition
- Lawyer of the Year: Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Portland, OR (2026)
- Lawyer of the Year: Criminal Defense: General Practice, Portland, OR (2024)
- Lawyer of the Year: Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Portland, OR (2023)
- Lawyer of the Year: Criminal Defense: General Practice, Portland, OR (2020)
- Recognized: Criminal Defense: General Practice
- Recognized: Criminal Defense: White-Collar