Arden J. Olson
About Arden
Arden Olson represents lawyers, judges, and law firms in matters of professional responsibility, legal and judicial ethics advice, risk management, and defense before their regulatory bodies.
He also advises public and private entities on complex matters involving health law, ERISA, legal ethics, and regulatory compliance. He helps organizations navigate evolving state and federal requirements, implement practical compliance strategies, and resolve disputes efficiently in both state and federal courts.
Drawing on his experience with the Oregon Department of Justice, including as a charter member of its Special Litigation Unit and as General Counsel to SAIF Corporation, Arden brings a deep understanding of how government and regulated industries intersect. He has also served as General Counsel to a Coordinated Care Organization and a regional health maintenance organization, advising on governance, operations, and regulatory matters.
Before his work in Oregon, Arden practiced privately in Seattle and Philadelphia, gaining broad experience in civil litigation and advisory work.
Representative Experience
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Litigation Plus
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Successfully collected on an oral contract of insurance purchased to guard against a contractor’s potential default. (Stuart v. Pittman, 350 Or. 410, 255 P.2d 482 (2011)).*
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Established as a matter of federal law that reimbursement actions by health plans under state law are not preempted by ERISA. (Providence Health Plan v. McDowell, 385 F.3d 1168 (9th Cir 2004), cert. denied, 544 U.S. 961 (2005)).*
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Represented the State of Oregon in obtaining injunctive relief against the United States Environmental Protection Agency for wrongfully withdrawing an herbicide from the market. (Love v. Thomas, 858 F.2d 1347 (9th Cir. 1988)).*
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Trial counsel in landmark ERISA lawsuit ultimately resolved by the U.S. Supreme Court. (Bruch v. Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., 828 F.2d 134 (3d Cir. 1987), aff’d in part 485 U.S. 986 (1988)).*
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* Denotes experience prior to joining Miller Nash LLP
Activities
- Lane County Bar Association, Member
- Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers (APRL), Member
- Board Member, 2017-2021
- American Law Institute, Elected Member
- American Bar Foundation, Fellow
- American Bar Association, Member
- Standing Committee on Professionalism, Former Member
- Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Former Member
- Eugene Symphony, Board of Directors
- President, 2025-present
- Member, 2015-present
Recognition
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® (Eugene, OR)
- Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law, 2020-present
- Health Care Law, 2020-present
- Selected for inclusion as an Oregon Super Lawyer, 2006, 2009-2012, 2014-present
- Rated AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell®
Insights from Arden
- “Chapter 11: Special Issues for In-House Lawyers and Government Lawyers,” Oregon State Bar, The Ethical Oregon Lawyer (2015 Revision), 2015
- “Is Some Behavior Ethical But Improper?” Oregon State Bar, Bulletin (Feb./Mar. 2013)
- “Insurance Counsel Conflict of Interest,” Oregon State Bar, Bulletin (Sept./Oct. 2008)
- “Health Initiatives Would Breed Uncertainty,” Oregon Health Law, (Oct. 1996)
- “ABA Commission Proposes New Rules of Professional Conduct,” Washington State Bar News (May 1980)
- “American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division,” The Lawyer’s Conscience, coauthor (July 1980)
- “Parol Evidence in Washington: The Use of Extrinsic Evidence to Address the Integration and Interpretation of Writings,” Washington Law Review (1977)
- “One-Client Lawyers: Avoiding the Consigliere Dilemma,” American Public Power Association, Legal & Regulatory Conference (Oct. 2019)
- “Ethics in Billing and Collection For Family Lawyers: How Not to Let Money Become the Root of Evil to Your Professional Life,” Oregon State Bar, Family Law Annual Conference (Oct. 2017)
- “Solicitation to Withdrawal: Professionalism with Clients and Other Counsel,” Oregon State Bar CLE (Dec. 2015)
- “Top Ten Reasons APRL Should Not Create a Specialty Certification Program,” Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers (Aug. 2015)
- “The Ethics of Representing Your Firm’s Members Against Your Firm’s Client,” Oregon State Bar, IP Brown Bag CLE (Dec. 2014)
- “Conflict of Interest by Lawyer Lobbyists,” American Bar Association, Business Section Fall Meeting, Ethics in Lobbying & Government Affairs Program (Oct. 2012)
- “Top Ten Ways Plaintiff’s Counsel Can Risk Ethics Trouble, in Haiku,” Oregon Trial Lawyers Association (Sept. 2011)
- “Ethics in Bankruptcy: Confidentiality, Disclosure, and Due Diligence,” Oregon State Bar, Debtor-Creditor Section (Sept. 2011)
- “Best Practices for Giving Ethics Advice,” American Bar Association, 37th National Conference on Professional Responsibility (June 2011)
- “‘Confidential’ Client Information: When are Secrets Not Secret?” American Law Institute-American Bar Association, Ethics and Professionalism Series, Live Telephone Seminar/Audio Webcast (Apr. 2011)
- “Ethical Traps for Tax Attorneys,” Oregon State Bar, Tax Section (Nov. 2010)
- “Attorney-Client Confidences in Employment Disputes,” Public Employment Relations Conference (Apr. 2010)
- “Effective & Ethical Representation Agreements: The Ten Commandments and Beyond,” American Law Institute-American Bar Association, Telephone Seminar (Mar. 2010)
- “Ethics Challenges for Business Lawyers,” Practising Law Institute, 41st Annual Institute on Securities Regulation (Nov. 2009)
- “How to Avoid Ethics Violations as Insurance Defense Counsel,” HB Litigation Conferences, Teleconference (June 2009)
- “Recognizing Ethical Issues in Electronic Discovery,” Half Moon Continuing Legal Education, Practicing Legal Ethics in the Electronic Law Office (Sept. 2008)
- “Legal Ethics in Dealing with the Government: Contacting a Represented Public Agency and Limitations on Government Lawyers Appearing Before the Agencies They Also Represent,” Oregon Law Institute (Oct. 2007)
- “The Pulse of Healthcare in Oregon,” Oregon Law Institute (Oct. 2007)
- “Coverage Counsel: The Forgotten lawyer in Cumis,” American Bar Association, Annual Meeting, Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section (Aug. 2007)
- “Recent Developments in Oregon Legal Ethics,” Roland K. Rodman American Inn of Court (Dec. 2006)
- “Managing Ethical Issues in Your Day-to-Day Practice in Oregon,” National Business Institute (Dec. 2005)
- “Legal Ethics in Oregon: Solutions to the Most Common Ethical Challenges,” National Business Institute (June 2005)
- “Tales of the Tube,” Oregon State Bar, Ethics Presentation CLE (Nov. 2003)
- “Top Ten Reasons Not to Adopt the ABA Model Ethics Rules in Oregon,” Roland K. Rodman American Inn of Court (Nov. 2003)
- “ERISA, COBRA and HIPAA: An Overview of the Statutory and Regulatory Framework in Oregon,” Lorman Education Services (Oct. 2003)
- “Who Is Our Client?” Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility (SAIF) Corporation, Salem, OR (Oct. 1992)
Outside the Office
In addition to many activities with his wife Sharon, particularly traveling and exploring the natural wonders among which they live, Arden works to enrich lives through the power of the music offered by the Eugene Symphony.