California Court of Appeals Allows Snapchat Fentanyl Cases to Move Forward

Justin Olson

Attorney

Justin Olson joined Social Media Victims Law Center as a senior associate attorney in 2024. After graduating from Seattle University School of Law summa cum laude, he served as a law clerk to Justice Mary Yu at the Washington State Supreme Court and thereafter represented worked as a trial attorney at Bergman Draper Oslund Udo, a boutique law firm representing individuals suffering devastating illnesses caused by exposures to asbestos. Justin secured 7- and 8-figure verdicts on behalf of his clients while also maintaining an active appellate practice, defending Washington State’s robust legal protections for injured plaintiffs against challenges by corporate defendants. Prior to law school, Justin began his legal career as a paralegal in a family-owned law firm representing plaintiffs in personal injury and medical malpractice cases.

In addition to representing asbestos victims, Justin was a founding member of the Homeless Rights Advocacy Project (HRAP) at Seattle University School of Law. HRAP engages law students in effective legal and policy research, analysis, and advocacy work to advance the rights of homeless adults, youth, and children. While in law school, Justin co-authored two policy briefs investigating the use of laws that criminalize the necessary, life-sustaining activities of Washington’s homeless residents, which the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty described as “a model that should be replicated across the country by advocates working to end the criminalization of homelessness.” In 2024, Justin was proud to represent the Western Regional Advocacy Project (WRAP) to draft and submit an amicus brief in the case of City of Grants Pass v. Johnson. Unfortunately, the United State Supreme Court issued a disastrous opinion turning a blind eye to the cruel and inhumane government practice of criminalizing homeless residents for engaged in necessary life functions in public space.

Justin does his best to catch musical theater productions touring through Seattle, and he remains actively involved in homeless rights advocacy and judging appellate competitions at his alma mater, Seattle University School of Law.

  • Washington State Bar
  • Western District of Washington
  • Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
  • United States Supreme Court
  • Seattle University School of Law, 2016
  • Central Washington University, 2005