Karl F. Oles
Experience
Karl Oles is a partner of the firm practicing in the Construction and Design group. For
nearly thirty years, he has helped owners, architects, engineers, and contractors solve
complex legal problems through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and trial. Karl
has also drafted, negotiated, and analyzed multimillion-dollar design and construction
contracts on a wide variety of construction projects. He has served as an arbitrator on
the American Arbitration Association's construction panel. He is coauthor of the
current standard treatise on Washington lien law.
Professional Honors and Activities

Listed in Best Lawyers in America© (currently: Litigation-Construction), 20152016

A member of one of only 13 law firms nationwide to receive the National Tier 1
ranking in Construction Law from U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms"
since the survey's inception.
Partner
Seattle, WA
(206) 386-7535 direct

Member, Design-Build Institute of America
(206) 386-7500 fax

Past Chair, Construction Section, Washington State Bar Association
karl.oles@stoel.com
Presentations
Education


"Washington Construction Liens: Key Considerations for Owners," Washington
Law, J.D., 1986
State Bar Association Annual Spring Update, Seattle, Washington, 2015

"Avoiding Litigation," Stoel Rives Straight Talk Seminar, 2014

"Brightwater Jury Trial," seminar, Washington State Bar Construction Section,
2013

"Resolving Disputes Economically," Stoel Rives Straight Talk Seminar, 2013

Moderator, "The Construction Contracts Program: Understanding and Negotiating
the Clauses in the New Industry Form Documents," American Bar Association
Forum on the Construction Industry, Seattle, Washington, Nov. 2011

"Disputes Between Contractors and Subcontractors," Alaska's Preeminent

University of California at Los Angeles,
M.A., 1982

University of London, M.A., 1978

Pomona College, B.A., 1977, magna
cum laude
Admissions

Washington

U.S. District Court for the Eastern and
Western Districts of Washington
Construction Law Conference, The Seminar Group, Anchorage, Alaska, Oct. 2010

"Who's Steering the Ship? Construction Administration by Design Professionals and
Agency Construction Managers," American Bar Association Forum on the
Construction Industry Fall Meeting, Newport, Rhode Island, 2007

"Construction Contract Formation and Drafting," Lorman Education Services,
Comprehensive Construction Law in Washington, Seattle, Washington, 2006
University of Washington School of

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth
Circuit
Karl F. Oles

"Delay Claim Damages Measurement," seminar, Contract Solutions Group, Seattle, Washington, 2006

"Beating Difficult Contract Clauses," seminar, Washington State Bar Construction Section, Seattle, Washington, 2005

"Avoiding Claims: Case Studies and Lessons Learned on Recent Public Projects," seminar, Washington State Bar Construction
Section, Seattle, Washington, 2003

"Working with the Construction Expert," seminar, Washington State Bar Construction Section, Seattle, Washington, 2002

"Parties and Claim Theories in Construction Cases," seminar, Washington State Bar Construction Section, Seattle, Washington,
2002
Publications

"Expect the Best, Prepare for the Worst - Drafting Construction or Design Contracts," Daily Journal of Commerce, Mar. 2016

"An Introduction to Design-Build for Public Project Delivery," Daily Journal of Commerce, May, 2015

"Lien Rights of Architects and Engineers," Daily Journal of Commerce, May 2014

"The Construction Lien in Washington: A Legal Analysis for the Construction Industry," coauthor, Stoel Rives LLP, 2014 Edition

"Washington Procurement Rules and Regulations", coauthor, Guide to State Procurement, American Bar Association Section of
Public Contract Law, 2011

"Take Your Lawyer to Lunch," Daily Journal of Commerce, 2011

"Questions Contractors Should Ask About Their Forms," Daily Journal of Commerce, 2011

"Design, Engineering, Construction and Turbine Purchase Agreements," coauthor, The Law of Wind: A Guide to Business and
Legal Issues, Stoel Rives LLP, 2008

"Solar Energy System Design, Engineering, Construction and Installation Agreements," coauthor, Lex Helius—The Law of Solar
Energy: A Guide to Business and Legal Issues, Stoel Rives LLP, 2008

"Ease into '08 with a Crash Course in Subpoenas," The Daily Journal of Commerce, Oregon, 2008

"Setting Up Shop: Design, Engineering, Construction and Turbine Purchase Agreements," coauthor, Lava Law: Legal Issues in
Geothermal Energy Development, Stoel Rives LLP, 2010

"Contractors Eyeing Washington Must Heed State Statutes," The Daily Journal of Commerce, Oregon, 2007

"Setting Up Shop: Design, Engineering and Construction for Biofuels Plants," coauthor, The Law of Biofuels: A Guide to Business
and Legal Issues, Stoel Rives LLP, 2007 , Mar. 2016
Civic Activities

Board Member, ACE Mentors of Washington

Chairman, Board of Trustees, Episcopal Retirement Communities

Member, Board of Trustees, Scholars Online
Karl F. Oles