BIOGRAPHY

James “Jim” Olsen has been practicing law in Orlando since 1986. An Orlando native, Mr. Olsen is a former partner in the law firm of Olsen & Olsen (1987-1994). Immediately prior to joining the law firm of Wean & Malchow, Mr. Olsen was the senior associate at the law firm of Clayton & McCulloh (1996-2000).

Mr. Olsen has been with Wean & Malchow since June of 2000. Mr. Olsen has been married to his wife, Kathy, since May of 1986. Mr. Olsen has three daughters, Emma (1992), Olivia (1994) and Grace (2001). Mr. Olsen owns one dog. Mr. Olsen is co-owned by three cats.

Educated at the University of Central Florida (Bachelor of Arts in Economics, 1984) and the University of Florida Holland Law Center (Juris Doctor, 1986), Mr. Olsen has extensive experience in a number of areas of legal practice, primarily including civil litigation, appellate practice, bankruptcy (debtor and creditor), foreclosure (debtor and creditor), landlord and tenant, family law, and representation of homeowner associations and condominium associations. Currently, he is concentrating his efforts in all areas of association law, including civil litigation, turnover and construction defect issues, contract disputes, and covenant violations.

Mr. Olsen is admitted to practice in all Florida State Courts and the Federal District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Additionally, in 1990 Mr. Olsen was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.

Mr. Olsen has spoken at many legal seminars in the areas of association law, landlord and tenant, and bankruptcy. He also served for several years as an adjunct professor at Valencia Community College where he taught business law. He formerly served on the Board of Directors for the Orange County Homeowners’ Association (1997). He is also a member of the Mid-Florida Chapter of Community Associations Institute and the Space Coast Condominium Association.

In September 2009 Mr. Olsen earned his private pilot’s license. In addition to flying for business and pleasure, Mr. Olsen volunteers with Pilots & Paws to fly dogs from shelters and rescues to their new families or their new foster homes. A recent flight delivered two adult boxers from Orlando to Ft. Myers. Mr. Olsen hopes that many similar flights will occur in the future.