Robert J. Olson
PEOPLE

Robert J. Olson

Partner
olson.robert@dorsey.com

Overview

ROBERT PRACTICES IN ALL ASPECTS OF REAL PROPERTY LAW.
Robert is a partner in the Real Estate practice group and practices in all aspects of real property law focusing on transactions involving the acquisition, development, construction, financing, sale, leasing, and disposition of real estate. Robert also supports other practice groups in matters affecting real property, including mergers and acquisitions, project development and financing.

Education & Admissions

University of Minnesota Law School (J.D., 1995), cum laude
Dean's List, 1992-1995

University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management (B.S., 1991), Dean's List, 1989-1991

Admissions

  • Minnesota

Experience

Representative Experience

  • Assists several clients of various compositions and sizes in the acquisition, leasing, improvement and disposition of real property in all 50 states, Canada, Europe and India.
  • Acquisition, development, construction, expansion and financing of Tier III data centers.
  • Construction, leasing and financing transactions on tribal land.
  • Private/public partnership development and construction projects.
  • Large-scale acquisition and disposition projects in connection with corporation transactions, including the acquisition of a portfolio of over 1,400 parcels of improved real property located in over 20 states.
  • Acquisition and development of real property for purposes of constructing and operating biofuel production facilities.
  • Acquisition and development of real property for purposes of constructing and operating soy bean production facilities.
  • Headquarter acquisitions, developments, expansions, construction, leasing, dispositions and sale/lease-backs.
  • Representing foreign entities in the acquisition of real property in the United States.
  • Portfolio sale/lease-back transactions.
  • Segregation and disposition of co-located domestic and international facilities in connection with corporate reorganizations.
  • Adverse possession and boundary line disputes.
  • Office tower acquisition, development, construction and leasing.
  • Airport hangar acquisition and disposition.
  • Acquisition and disposition of milling facilities.
  • Primary leasing counsel for multiple clients having commercial office leasing portfolios covering millions of rentable square feet.
  • Acquisition and disposition of automotive salvage facilities.
  • Acquisition and disposition of food service-related facilities.
  • Acquisition and disposition of agricultural land.
  • Negotiation of design and construction contracts for the design and construction of commercial construction projects.

News & Resources

News & Press Mentions

201 Dorsey Lawyers Recognized in 2025 Best Lawyers in America, Lawyers of the Year, and Ones to Watch
Chambers USA 2024 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
200 Dorsey Lawyers Selected for Inclusion in 2024 Best Lawyers in America, Lawyers of the Year, and Ones to Watch
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes 30 Dorsey Lawyers and 10 Practices in Minneapolis
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Chambers USA 2022 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Chambers USA 2019 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
54 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis Selected for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2019 and 2019 Lawyers of the Year
Chambers USA 2018 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices in Minnesota
51 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis Selected for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2018 and 2018 Lawyers of the Year
Chambers USA 2017 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Chambers USA 2017 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices in Minnesota
48 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis and Fargo Selected for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2017 and 2017 Lawyers of the Year
Chambers USA 2016 Ranks Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Chambers USA 2016 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices in Minnesota
45 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis and Fargo Selected for Inclusion in "The Best Lawyers in America®" 2016 and "Best Lawyers of the Year"
Chambers USA 2015 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices in Minnesota
Chambers USA 2014 Ranks Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Chambers USA 2014 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices in Minnesota
Dorsey & Whitney Advises Lee Equity Partners in Project Pie Transaction
Chambers USA 2013 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices in Minnesota
Dorsey Lawyers and Practices in Minnesota Highly Ranked By Chambers & Partners

Industries & Practices

  • Banking & Financial Institutions
  • Construction & Design
  • Construction Litigation
  • Development & Infrastructure
  • Healthcare & Life Sciences
  • Indian & Alaska Native
  • Public-Private Partnerships
  • Real Estate & Land Use

Professional & Civic

Professional Achievements

  • Member, American Bar Association, Minnesota Bar Association, and Hennepin County Bar Association
  • Member, National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP)
  • Member, CoreNet Global

Accolades

Chambers USA 2024 Dorsey LogoChambers USA 2023Chambers 2022Chambers USA 2021  Ranked in Chambers USA 2020  Ranked in Chambers USA 2019 Leading Individual  
Chambers USA 2018 Leading Individual  Ranked in USA Chambers 2017 Leading Individual  Ranked In - USA Chambers and Partners 2016 - Leading Individual   
Ranked in Chambers USA 2015 - Leading Individual 

  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America©, 2013-2025
  • Named one of “America’s Leading Business Lawyers” by Chambers USA (Real Estate), 2011-2024

North Star Lawyer logo

  • MSBA North Star Lawyer, 2016
  • Listed as a "Rising Star" by Minnesota Super Lawyers, 2004, 2006, 2008
Robert J. Olson