Olaf Hansen

Olaf Hansen

Divorce and separation Attorney at Spokane, WA

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Reviews
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Resume

The best

Protection orders

About Olaf

Learn Olaf’s areas of practice.

Practice areas

I have over 20 years of experience in family law and represented a countless number of clients on both sides of Washington state, who face issues of divorce, parenting and financial issues.

Licensed for 25 years

State WA

Status Active

Acquired 1997

Updated 11/25/2022

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Contact Olaf

Pacific Northwest Family Law

220 W. Main Ave

Spokane, WA, 99201

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Reviews

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3.7 / 5.0

6 customer reviews

5 Star

67%

4 Star

3 Star

2 Star

1 Star

33%

Posted by Laura K | November 19, 2018

The best

After a trial run with a different attorney in another county, we were able to get what we wanted which was visitation for our son who was kept from his boys 2 and 1 years old for 8 months. Olaf and Christa also assisted to get our son in his home that was vacated by his ex-wife. I cannot write enough about Olaf and Christa who has made out life amazing... Thank you so much

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Posted by anonymous | November 7, 2018

Protection orders

Mr. Hansen was very efficient in perusing provided information in a short period of time. He was very professional in representing me in two protection order cases in District and Superior Court with a positive outcome for both.

Posted by Nicole | August 31, 2018

Excellent attorney

Olaf has been excellent through my difficult divorce. He responds quickly to all my questions, and concerns, and has a postive solution ready for me. He has placed my children and their needs first and foremost. He has fought hard to make sure my side of the case was heard. I highly trust and recommend Olaf.

Posted by Justin | August 23, 2018

Excellent advocacy

Was very caring and compassionate in dealing with my case. Provided clear, easy to understand explanations and worked with me to produce a very effective plan handling the delicate matter of enforcing an existing parenting plan when a sudden tragedy struck and he was able to quickly address and adapt everything to the situation as it continued to unfold. Remained steadfast in keeping the children at the forefront of all end decisions and remained professional under incredible duress in dealing with the other party directly while they were hostile to him and his paralegal. Continued to provide solid advice and steered the case calmly despite the unpleasant circumstances. Would highly recommend Olaf to anyone in need of legal advice or representation in family court. His team puts the well being of the children first, his advice and actions are concise and creative, and he remains cool under pressure even in the most strange and sudden of circumstances.

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Posted by anonymous | April 9, 2021

Confidential

This lawyer is not proactive at all. I have an ex that is very deceitful and asked him from the beginning to seek definitive proof on all her statements. I’ve predicted every move she’s made. We’ve been to court three times and not once has he asked for pay stubs or anything to prove her needs. He doesn’t listen to concerns and is lazy. Does not do good research to prepare for court and allows opposing counsel a competitive advantage by allowing them more time than I was allowed to prepare statements. He gets outplayed in strategy by lawyers less experienced and can’t conduct himself in a confident manner before the authority of court. He does not raise concerns about damaging judgements at the end of arguments when asked by the authority of the court. I spend one third of my time and money arguing with him on trying to get him to do what I want him to do and he has all kinds of excuses for his failures. Don’t waste your time or money. He has not protected me or represented me at all. I’ve asked for specific language to he included in a mediation judgement and it was not. I was misrepresented by him and the mediator in mediation and am not happy about it at all.

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Response from Olaf Hansen April 14, 2021

We share in your disappointment with the ruling that occurred last week. We also discussed after the ruling what you should do to address those disappointments. However, there are several statements you make that do not reflect what we did in representing you over the past 12 months or the results of our representation.

Posted by GavRayell | August 9, 2019

Did not feel he was on my side

I hired Olaf to help me get my child back from her father who took her away and I ended up with a year of three hour visits with my child. Olaf never asked for me to have more time, he would tell the judge that my child’s father worked to much, being an attorney he should have known that the court does not care about parents work schedules and argued something else but he never did. Anytime I would ask him to do something he would tell me no, like he would not get me a guardian ad litem, would not put what I wanted in my declarations, would not come up with a customized parenting plan at mediation, he would wait months before scheduling court dates or sending the opposing counsel things and when I sent him information he wouldn’t look it over. I switched attorneys and within two weeks had an agreement with my ex and signed our parenting plan.

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Response from Olaf Hansen August 12, 2019

I am happy to hear that you were able to resolve your matter. An agreed parenting plan is very beneficial to not only the parents but the child as it will stop the conflict. We strive for great results for every client. The experience you recite is unusual among our clients, as our clients are a pretty satisfied bunch as you can see from the other reviews. We are always trying to get better, so I’d really like the chance of going over your case with you (in a private setting so as not to reveal confidential information) to explore that with you.

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Cost

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

Partner/Managing Attorney
Pacific Northwest Family Law
2020 - Present

Attorney
Ashby Law
2018 - 2020

Attorney
Law Office of Paul B. Mack
2017 - 2018

Attorney
Magnuson Lowell, P.S.
2000 - 2017

Attorney
Law Offices of G. Olaf Hansen
1997 - 2000

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Education

Washburn University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1996

University of Washington
BA - Bachelor of Arts
1993

Legal Cases

In re Marriage of Furrow, 115 Wn.App. 661 (2003)
Court reinstated her rights

In re Parentage of C.S., 134 Wn.App. 141 (2006)
Court dismissed paternity action.

Associations

Spokane County Bar Association
Member
2013 - Present

Family CASA
Golf Tournament Committee Member
2006 - 2007

Old Puget Sound Beach RFC
PR Director
2006 - 2007

Old Puget Sound Beach RFC
President
2003 - 2004

USA Rugby Super League
Charter Member Rep
1996 - 1998

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Languages Spoken

English

Awards

Top 10 Attorney
Attorney and Practice Magazine
2019

Top Lawyer
Spokane Coeur d'Alene Living Magazine
2019

Top 10 Attorney
Attorney and Practice Magazine
2018

Top Lawyer
Spokane Coeur d'Alene Living Magazine
2018

President's Recognition
Old Puget Sound Beach RFC
2007

Recognition
2006

Recognition
2005

Certificate of Appreciation
1995

Certificate of Appreciation
1994

MVP
1993

Dean's List
1992

Dean's List
1991

Presidential Physical Fitness
1985

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Publications

National Business Institute Seminar
Failure to Obtain and Interpret all Financial Documents
2015

National Business Institute Seminar
Failure to Account for Debts
2015

National Business Institute Seminar
Discovery in Divorce
2014

National Business Institute Seminar
Common and Not So Common Family Law Issues and Answers
2014

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Speaking Engagements

Parenting Plan: Create your Masterpiece
Family Law
2019

Common Mistakes in Dividing Assets
Family Law
2015

Family Law From A to Z
Family Law
2014

The Ultimate Guide to Trying a Case in King County ... and Beyond
Defending Clients in Criminal Court
2008

Business Law
Jury Selection
2006

Business Law
Criminal Defense
2005

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Attorney endorsements

Received (14)

Given (12)

Endorse Olaf

Scott Kinshella

Family Attorney | May 16
Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer."

LeeAnn Holt

Unknown Attorney | Jul 24
Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

Joseph Lunsky

Divorce and separation Attorney | Jun 11
Relationship: Co-worker

"Olaf has a very significant family law experience across a broad variety of family law matters. I endorse this attorney. Olaf is effective both in negotiating smart settlement agreements and representing clients in trial."

Joseph Rockne

Divorce and separation Attorney | Jun 04
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Hansen has been providing professional and effective representation for his clients for many years. He is a fellow attorney and one that I often call for advice on procedure, substantive issues and ideas that will help me with matters that I have. I have always found his advice to be solid and thoughtful."

Brandon Holt

Divorce and separation Attorney | May 31
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Zachary Ashby

Divorce and separation Attorney | May 31
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Olaf brings a great attitude and a rock solid commitment to client needs to his work. I endorse this lawyer."

Kimberly Powell

Family Attorney | May 31
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Joshua Lowell

Divorce and separation Attorney | May 31
Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Olaf is known in the community as a great attorney and a strong advocate for his clients. I strongly endorse him."

Matthew Kaminski

Divorce and separation Attorney | May 31
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Kevin Richardson

Family Attorney | May 31
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Olaf brings both experience and passion to his Family Law practice. Clients trust his guidance and other attorneys respect his legal knowledge. I am very confident in endorsing him to any perspective client."

Scott Ashby

Divorce and separation Attorney | May 31
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Great approach to client care coupled with an outstanding strategic approach."

Noah Peterson

Criminal defense Attorney | Feb 21
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Olaf provides aggressive legal representation to all his clients. I endorse this lawyer."

Sarah Lowell

Unknown Attorney | Feb 11
Relationship: Co-worker

"Olaf has been a great mentor to me. He has willingly provided me with guidance and is very patient. I always feel comfortable asking him questions or for advice, and I am confident in his responses. After working with him, I admire his style in how he approaches family law cases and criminal defense cases. He does not have a “cookie-cutter” plan; rather, he strategically thinks each case through and provides his clients with legal advice of realistic potential outcomes from the point of view of a judge. Olaf is creative in his approaches - tailored to help meet each of his clients’ needs on an individual basis. In addition to his skills, clients constantly comment to me that they are thankful that he could “see the forest for the trees” during the times they could not. It is not uncommon for me to see his former clients reaching back out to him for other legal issues, regardless if it has been 1 yr. or 10 yrs. ago. Olaf is efficient, cost-effective, and very responsive to his clients."

Richard Lowell

Family Attorney | Jun 08
Relationship: Supervised lawyer

"Olaf's work as a family law attorney is impressive. He truly understands the family court. He knows what the judges will and won't do; what they'll 'buy' and what they won't 'buy.' As a result, he works efficiently, and serves to maximize his client's results while keeping costs and fees down. When all is said and done, in this State, if one spouse wants a divorce, the court will order it. Why not minimize the wrangling and, at the same time, maximize the result? That's what Olaf does; time after time. And I've met his clients afterward, who are thrilled with his efforts on their behalf. Divorce is often an ugly business. Olaf helps his clients through the muck; and more often than not, they come out the other end with a smile, and encouraged about their future."

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