Don't let the name fool you. Born and raised in Ellensburg, WA, Olaf is not a blond hair and blue-eyed attorney. His father, George, an American, met his mother, Won Cha, while stationed in Korea during the Vietnam conflict. They married and had two children. Olaf's Scandinavian and Korean roots make him a self-described "korwegian." His brother, Jonathan, is a professional musician. who often tours throughout the US and is based in New York City. As a child, Olaf wanted to be either a lawyer or amazingly enough a defensive tackle for the Washington Redskins. His size (5'10", 175 lbs.) precluded him from joining the ranks of the NFL.

Olaf attended the University of Washington where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in political science. He then enrolled at Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas, the only municipal-owned law school in the country. While in Kansas, Olaf worked at a small, general practice firm in Topeka. That experience paid off as Olaf ran a thriving solo practice for 3 years in Seattle's Pioneer Square district before joining Magnuson Lowell, P.S. His practice primarily emphasizes family law cases and criminal defense.