Ronald L. Olson

Among his matters, Olson is representing Tokyo Electric Power Co. in litigation stemming from the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

The plaintiffs, current and former U.S. military personnel, allege that TEPCO created the false impression that radiation leaking from the Fukushima Dai-Ichi plant did not pose a threat to the Navy rescue workers who provided aid following the disaster. Cooper v. Tokyo Electric Power Co., 3:12-cv-3032 (S.D. Cal., filed April 1, 2013).

The suit seeks at least $40 million in compensatory and punitive damages, as well as a fund exceeding $1 billion for monitoring health and payment of medical expenses.

"A central question is whether or not sailors in the United States Navy have the right to file civil claims based upon their deployment by the commanders of their ships," Olson said.

He added, "This is an issue that we believe presents a political question that is not appropriate for a federal court."

Among his other high-stakes matters, Olson also is advising the National Collegiate Athletic Association on a closely watched class-action lawsuit challenging the NCAA's control of college athletics on antitrust grounds. O'Bannon, et al, v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, et al, 09-cv-3329 (N.D. Cal., filed July 21, 2009).

In August, a judge ruled that the NCAA could not prohibit certain payments to student-athletes for use of their names, images and likenesses. However the NCAA could still limit the amounts of these payments, but to a lesser extent than it currently does.

An appeal is planned.

On behalf of the National Football League, Olson also has been involved in ongoing matter involving the landmark $765 million settlement reached with thousands of NFL players, who had sued over brain injuries sustained on the field. In Re National Football League Players' Concussion Injury Litigation, MD12-2323 (E.D. Penn, filed June 7, 2012).

The court has preliminarily approved a revised class settlement, pending a fairness hearing in November.

The original settlement was rejected by the court, primarily because of the cap on the total payments.

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