Olson’s Supreme Court win part of his underdog passion

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Not every attorney gets the opportunity to argue a case in front of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, but for Alan Olson of Alan C. Olson & Associates SC, New Berlin, that chance led to a first-of-its-kind ruling.

“I had a client who worked for a school district and was following the tax code by withholding Social Security tax from a bonus check, but the superintendent kept wanting her to do things a different way,” Olson said. “She refused and he bullied her verbally so much that she quit her job.

“We argued – and won — that they created an atmosphere that was difficult to work in. It was the first of its kind to be argued in front of the court.”

That constructive discharge claim case — Strozinsky vs. Brown Deer School District — took about five years to come to fruition, ending in 2000. The length of the case is common in employment law cases, Olson said.

“Employment law can be a real challenge since the cases can last a long time due to appeals and you have to stay committed to the outcome,” he said. “I had one case go on for 10 years. The length of time for appeals can be arduous process. You have to pace yourself and tell yourself it’s not a sprint, but a marathon.”

Olson said he was attracted to employment cases because he enjoys helping the underdog. He’s not just attracted to big cases, he said, but to anyone who needs his help.

His firm received the 2010 Legal Action of Wisconsin Outstanding Pro Bono Law Firm Participation Award.

“I like helping people who are part of a vulnerable population who may not have the resources available to fight a big corporation,” he said. “Putting cases together requires a combination of studying the laws involved, finding information and then putting it all together into a persuasive written and oral argument. That’s what I really love about it.”

Since Strozinsky, Olson has been back before the state’s high court a couple more times in recent years, and said it gets a little easier each time.

“You just need to know your case really well,” he said, “and practice your arguments so you can do it with less nervousness.”

Wisconsin Law Journal: What career would you have pursued if you weren’t an attorney?
Alan Olson: Scrap metal sculptor

WLJ: What song gets heavy rotation on your iPod?
Olson: “Rusty Cage” by Johnny Cash

WLJ: Who is someone you admire?
Olson: A young Marine serving our country away from his wife and kids.

WLJ: What is your most-favorite thing to do in Wisconsin?
Olson: Racing bicycles

WLJ: What do you miss most about your childhood?
Olson: Living on a lake

WLJ: Do you have a phrase or word that you tend to overuse?
Olson: Awesome

WLJ: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Olson: Become less serious.

WLJ: What app can’t you live without?
Olson: Bring A Trailer, a site that shows classic cars for sale.

WLJ: What do you think is your greatest accomplishment?
Olson: Outside of my family, it would be winning wrongful discharge litigation before the Wisconsin Supreme Court.