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Technical Excellence in Government Contracts
and Construction Matters Since 1893.
Smith Currie Oles Morrison

Oles Morrison Celebrates Historic 120th Year Milestone

Tue Aug 27, 2013

Back in 1893, two notable events occurred that would impact the future development of Seattle and the State of Washington. One was the arrival of the Great Northern transcontinental railroad, and the other was the beginning of what has since become one of the Northwest’s most respected law firms, Oles Morrison Rinker & Baker, LLP.

Today, the firm has offices in Washington, Alaska and California with practice areas in construction, government contracts, business law and commercial litigation. Its core team of 23 attorneys represents both national and international clients on projects in the United States and abroad.

The firm traces its commitment to the highest professional standards to its very first partners, John Condon, after whom the University of Washington Law School is named, and George Wright. Over the years, the firm played a role in the enterprises that brought Seattle to prominence, including the fishing industry, heavy construction and the development of hydroelectric power that culminated with Oles Morrison counseling the leading contractors on the most ambitious of these projects – Grand Coulee Dam.

Since the 1930s, the firm’s focus has been on construction, government contracts and public procurement. The firm helped incorporate the Nordstrom stores and represented Alaska Airlines when it was just a small airline company. Today, the firm represents some of the top contractors throughout the West Coast.

In 1950, Stuart Oles and Seth Morrison joined the firm, followed in the late 1960s by Bruce Rinker. In 1971, Sam Baker, the son of a well-known contractor, came aboard.

Over the years, the firm has continued to embrace its philosophy of finding practical approaches to its clients’ complex legal issues and has remained committed to traditional standards of technical excellence and professional service. Above all, 120 years after its founding, Oles Morrison is proud to continue to serve an impressive roster of prominent clients who are leaders in the construction industry.