JOHN RAYMOND OLSEN – 10 February 1948 – 13 March 2023

John Raymond Olsen died peacefully at University College Hospital, London England on 13 March 2023.  He was a leading international intellectual property lawyer who was a graduate of Notre Dame Law School USA and practiced for 50 years, 35 of which were in the UK.  His many colleagues, clients and friends will remember him for his lifelong commitment, passion and dedication to his work.  A ‘gentle giant’ who had time for everyone, and was especially caring of his clients whom he guided through a maze of legal issues with his expansive knowledge of his subject and with a subtle, steely determination. 

His many colleagues and friends at his firm, Locke Lord, recognize his contributions to the firm and to mentoring and helping further the careers of many of its current IP lawyers.

Born in Los Angeles, California, he graduated from Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California in 1970 and went on to study law at University of Notre Dame Law School, South Bend, Indiana graduating in 1973.  His long career took him from California to New York, Paris and finally London, England. 

John was a licensed member of the California Bar and a Solicitor of the Law Society of England & Wales.  He was active on the lecture circuit and belonged to many intellectual property associations.  He co-authored two books, Trade Marks, Trade Names and Unfair Competition:  World Law and Practice; and Domain Names:  Global Practice and Procedure and was also a Board Member of the European Intellectual Property Review.

He qualified as a US patent lawyer and appreciated the full range of laws and practices in protecting intellectual property and the creative efforts of both individuals and corporations.  He believed his broad international understanding of intellectual property law was a sine qua non in a globalising environment. 

Practicing law was his first love but he also enjoyed spending time with family at the opera, classical music concerts and the many arts London had to offer.  John was bi-lingual in English-French but also spoke social German and Spanish facilitating the development of his practice. 

John is survived by his wife Mary, daughter Maria and his three brothers, Ken, Kevin and Larry.  A special celebration of his life will be held in his honor on a date to be announced.

Funeral service will be held as follows:

Farm Street Church

Jesuit Church of The Immaculate Conception

114 Mount Street

Mayfair, London W1K 3AH

Directions:  https://www.farmstreet.org.uk/contactus

Requiem Mass: 30^th March 2023 –  10:30am – 12:00pm. 

Please join the family after Mass at the Farm Street Church Hall to share further memories of John.

Donations:

John was passionate about the London Law Programme of Notre Dame Law School.  We ask that any donations be directed as below to the London Law Programme which provides financial assistance to students who wish to attend.

Please designate “London Law School Programme” and dedicate donation in name of “John Raymond Olsen”: https://giving.nd.edu

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