Meet the U.S. Attorney

Leif Olson serves as the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa. He took office on October 20, 2025, following Senate confirmation of his nomination by President Donald J. Trump. Before becoming U.S. Attorney, Olson served more than two years as Chief Deputy Attorney General of Iowa, heading the legal operations of the Iowa Department of Justice under Attorney General Brenna Bird. He previously served as a senior policy advisor in the U.S. Department of Labor and as the Chief of Special Litigation in the Texas Attorney General’s Office.

Olson received a bachelor’s degree in economics from Trinity University in San Antonio and his law degree from the University of Chicago. Olson began his legal career as a law clerk to United States District Judge Lynn N. Hughes and then practiced in the private sector for more than 15 years. Olson represented clients in state and federal courts of appeals across the country and tried more than a dozen jury cases and dozens more non-jury cases to final judgment.

Olson is admitted to practice in Iowa; the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa; Texas (inactive); multiple federal district and appellate courts; and the United States Supreme Court. Before taking inactive status in Texas upon his nomination to serve as U.S. Attorney, he was certified as a specialist in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Among other recognitions, his work on projects to improve professional education and middle- and high-school curriculum programs received local, state, and national awards. He served as a meet official for USA Swimming; as a Cub Scout and Webelos den leader; as a director of the Texas Young Lawyers Association; as president of the Houston Young Lawyers Association; and as a director for local chapters of the Federalist Society.