Attorney Spotlight: Megan M. Olson

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Megan M. Olson focuses her practice on serving cities, villages, townships, library districts, road districts, park districts and other local government entities. In addition to providing general counsel, she provides guidance on establishing and drafting new ordinances and policies, contract negotiations, building and code enforcement, administrative proceedings, Freedom of Information Act compliance and intergovernmental agreements. Megan also has experience in eminent domain, land use, development and public water supply matters.

Megan received her B.S. in Political Science from Illinois State University and her J.D. from Cooley Law School.

Where are you from?
I grew up in Plainfield, Illinois.

What was your first job?
My first job was serving as a hostess for a local restaurant chain.

What is on your bucket list?
Like most people, I would love to cross more places off my travel bucket list. Currently, Italy and Ireland are high on that list.

Why did you decide to become an attorney?
Becoming an attorney was a career goal of mine from an early age, though I’m not entirely sure where that interest began. I believe my mom still has a grade school project of mine that says, “I want to be an attorney when I grow up.”

I’ve always had an interest in current events, government and politics. I appreciate how the law intersects with so many facets of our everyday lives. Reading and writing has always been a strong suit of mine, skills that I utilize every day in my career.

What does a typical workday look like for you?
My first priority is always coffee. I’m an iced coffee all-year-round kind of girl.

My workday varies depending on if I have a court appearance first thing in the morning. Once I get to the office, I typically settle in and read and respond to any new emails or return calls. I will then go through my to-do list and start working on items in order of their time sensitivity. This can include anything from researching a matter for a client, drafting a memorandum or a legal opinion, reviewing police reports for an upcoming local prosecution day or drafting new ordinances or resolutions for Board approval. I will also prepare for any upcoming court appearances and ensure that any pleadings are prepared and filed.

As part of the Local Government Practice Group, I frequently attend Board meetings and Planning & Zoning meetings for our clients. I will review upcoming agendas and action items to ensure that I am up to date on current issues and am prepared to answer any questions or provide guidance, if needed.

Why did you choose your areas of practice?
I chose my areas of practice because they provide a great mix of litigation and the ability to provide general counsel. I have always enjoyed spending time in court, and I believe it helps keep my practice skills as an attorney sharp. However, I did not want litigation to be the sole focus of my career. Working in the Local Government Practice Group keeps you on your toes because you never know what the day may bring. One moment you could be working on a redevelopment agreement. The next moment you may find yourself drafting a new policy in response to a change in law at the State or Federal level which impacts your client. There is never a dull moment!

What advice would you give to new associates?
Keep an open mind regarding the areas of law you want to practice in. When I graduated from law school, I was convinced that I wanted to focus on a specific area. However, after one year, I realized it was not the right fit for me. Throughout my career, being open to exploring different practice areas has brought me opportunities I don't think I would have encountered otherwise.

What do you like most about Tressler?
I appreciate the team mentality at Tressler. All my colleagues are so giving of their time and knowledge. It is great to be able to walk down the hall and discuss an issue and gain perspective that you may have not initially considered.

What are you most proud of, personally and or professionally?
I am most proud of my daughter. She is, and will always be, my biggest accomplishment.

Additionally, I am the first generation in my family to graduate from college and the first attorney in my family, both of which fill me with immense pride. None of these accomplishments would be possible without the hard work and sacrifices of my parents. They taught me that you can achieve anything if you are willing to work hard enough for it. My parents both worked incredibly hard to ensure my sister and I had access to higher education and had everything we needed in life to be successful. They consistently offered support and encouragement during challenges and were the first to celebrate every achievement or milestone.

What is one surprising fact about you that others might not know?
Each year, I go on a surprise trip with a group of friends from my undergraduate days at Illinois State University. We have been doing this every year since we graduated, making a few adjustments as we’ve gotten older, moved across the country and started families. We call it “The Great Escape,” or “GE” for short.

There are ten of us, currently spread across five different states, so it takes significant planning. Each year, two members of the group serve as “planners.” We agree on the trip dates and budget in advance. The planners handle the travel arrangements and create the itinerary. The group receives a packing list beforehand so we know what to bring and how to prepare. Most of the activities are surprises that are revealed as the trip progresses. The destination is kept a secret until the night before or the day we leave. The planners typically reveal our destination through a game, scavenger hunt or puzzle. Some of our past destinations include the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, KY, Toronto and Niagara Falls, CA, Mexico, Vermont, the Grand Canyon in AZ, Nashville, TN and Austin, TX, to name a few.