David Olander
Partner /
David (Dave) Olander is a partner with Capitol Counsel, LLC, where he serves a leading role in the firm’s tax practice. A veteran legislative strategist, adviser, and advocate, he brings to the firm nearly three decades of experience in Washington’s tax-policymaking arena and is frequently sought out for his timely insight on tax matters. Olander has appeared as a featured speaker, panelist, or guest lecturer on more than 100 occasions before various academic audiences, trade groups, and other organizations and has been quoted in numerous prominent publications. He served most recently as majority chief tax counsel to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Education
- University of Virginia School of Law – J.D.
- Brown University – B.A.
Positions Held
- House Committee on Ways and Means, Washington, D.C. – Majority Chief Tax Counsel. Served the committee for nearly seven of his 13 years on Capitol Hill. Advised Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) and other Republican members of the committee and the House on all federal tax issues, serving as the chamber’s chief tax lawyer and as manager of the committee’s tax staff. Olander also guided both the committee’s strategic and day-to-day activities related to comprehensive tax reform.
- Office of Congressman Thomas M. Reynolds (R-NY), Washington, D.C. – Tax and Policy Counsel. Worked extensively on a broad range of tax, international trade, and entitlement policy matters for Congressman Reynolds, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and an elected member of the House Republican leadership.
- Baker Hostetler LLP, Washington, D.C. – Associate. Practiced law as part of the firm’s Government Policy Group. Focused on legislative affairs, principally in the areas of tax policy and financial services, representing numerous stakeholders on various matters before Congress and federal agencies.
- Office of Congressman Wally Herger (R-CA), Washington, D.C. – Legislative Assistant. Handled tax, trade, and entitlement policy issues.
Memberships / Recognition
- Olander has received professional recognition from prominent publications such as National Journal Magazine, CQ Roll Call, and Tax Notes, the last of which featured him in its “Top Congressional Tax Staffers for 2014” series.
- D.C. Bar – Member
- Named a “Top Lobbyist” by the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics (NILE) in 2023.
Successes
While serving as majority chief tax counsel to the House Ways and Means Committee, Olander led the development of the Tax Reform Act of 2014, a proposal generally viewed at the time as the most significant contribution to the tax reform debate since 1986. It is now widely regarded as the primary legislative forerunner to the tax reform law (the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act”) enacted in 2017. Since joining Capitol Counsel, Olander has successfully represented a broad array of businesses, trade associations, coalitions, and other stakeholders on a wide range of tax matters, providing them insightful policy and political analysis, sophisticated strategic advice, and effective advocacy.