Practice Areas

Olafsen & Butterfield LLC is a trial practice firm. We serve as effective advocates in federal and state courts to advance our clients’ interests. Other lawyers entrust their longstanding clients to Olafsen & Butterfield when they need top-flight trial counsel. Our narrow focus on trial work has given us broad experience in a variety of litigation, from multi-party commercial disputes to personal injury lawsuits. Our practice includes representation of clients who need help resolving disputes in the following areas of the law.

Commercial and Construction Disputes

Pervasive state and federal laws that regulate commercial enterprises produce inevitable results: claims against businesses. Whether those claims involve unpaid trade balances, contract issues, implied and express warranties, questions of insurance coverage, internal corporate disputes, lender liability, or any other commercial dispute, Olafsen & Butterfield is prepared to provide knowledgeable, aggressive, and efficient representation. We also have experience representing owners, contractors, and subcontractors on multi-million dollar construction projects involving defective design, improper methods of construction, and extra and changed work claims on public and private projects. Olafsen & Butterfield has prosecuted and defended mechanics’ lien claims, bond claims, and claims under the Miller Act. We have participated in all types of dispute resolution methods, including mediation, arbitration, and bench and jury trials.

Workplace Law

Olafsen & Butterfield has practiced in the area of employment law for almost 20 years, representing employees and employers (on both insured and uninsured claims) in matters that encompass the full range of issues that arise in the workplace. We have obtained a defense verdict for a national company on religious discrimination and retaliation claims filed by the EEOC in federal court. We have obtained a plaintiff’s verdict for an employee in federal court on age discrimination claims against one of the top 50 companies in the United States. Olafsen & Butterfield conducts workplace investigations and provides advice on compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and corresponding state laws. We negotiate and review employment contracts, non-competition/confidentiality provisions, and severance agreements.

Mediation and Arbitration Services

The lawyers at Olafsen & Butterfield apply their litigation experience to provide practical and cost-effective mediation services to attorneys and their clients who are enmeshed in civil disputes. Alternative methods of dispute resolution allow parties to spare the expense and delays of the court system and to manage their risks confidentially. We will perform early neutral evaluations in cases where the parties would like a formal analysis of the risks of litigation. In addition, we will serve as arbitrators – either individually or sitting on a panel – in those cases where parties are not able to resolve their differences by agreement through compromise.

Probate Litigation and protection of the Elderly

Olafsen & Butterfield represents individuals in contested estate and trust matters including breach of fiduciary duty by personal representatives, trustees, holders of powers of attorney, conservators, and guardians, the improper administration of estates and trusts, will contests, disputes among heirs of an estate or beneficiaries of a trust, and claims by and against estates. The firm’s practice also encompasses protection of the elderly against financial exploitation. Exploitation of seniors may involve inappropriate transfers of money and other assets, coercing changes to a will, overcharging for caregiving services, or breach of fiduciary duty.

Professional Liability and Legal Malpractice

We have extensive experience representing claimants who have suffered personal injuries or financial losses due to professional malpractice. Olafsen & Butterfield has represented clients on claims of malpractice against lawyers, accountants, design professionals, engineers, environmental consultants, real estate and insurance brokers, banking institutions, and investment advisors. We have developed technical expertise in these areas and an understanding of the legal issues that arise in cases of professional negligence. Our clients benefit from our sensitive and professional handling of these claims as well as from our experience and knowledge.

Real Estate Disputes

Real estate disputes arise in a number of contexts: title issues, boundary conflicts, breaches of purchase and sale agreements, scope of easements and right-of-way and road disputes, trespass and nuisance claims, land use issues, title insurance coverage, partition of real estate among joint owners, foreclosures, and commercial lease disputes. Olafsen & Butterfield has extensive experience handling these controversies and others involving real estate.