John W. O’Leary

Principal & Senior Attorney

Richland, WA

Background

Raised in Seattle, John O’Leary is an accomplished Principal/Senior Attorney with a background in litigation who brings integrity and decades of experience to helping clients navigate complex legal matters.

While his practice began with a strong focus on bankruptcy, including representing clients in Chapter 11 and Chapter 12 reorganizations and other debtor-creditor matters, John’s work has evolved to meet the broader needs of the businesses and families he serves. Today, his practice is focused on a balanced mix of business and municipal general counsel work, civil litigation, and estate planning and probate.

John regularly advises business owners and organizations on operational, legal, and strategic matters, while also representing clients in civil disputes and guiding families through estate planning and probate administration. His background in restructuring continues to inform his approach, allowing him to provide practical, solutions-oriented counsel grounded in real-world experience.

His drive for advocacy is rooted in the satisfaction he finds in helping clients navigate challenging situations, protect what they have built, and move forward with confidence.

John’s proudest professional achievement has been being elected by his peers as president of the Federal Bankruptcy Bar Association for the Eastern District of Washington. He remains actively involved in the legal community through speaking engagements, CLE presentations, and ongoing work with professionals in the bankruptcy and legal space.

Outside of the office, John enjoys spending time with his wife and family and appreciates the decision they made more than 20 years ago to move to Eastern Washington. He continues to value the region’s outdoor lifestyle and the opportunity it has provided to raise his family and stay connected to the natural beauty of the area.