Bartow County's sole commissioner-elect Steve Taylor announced today local attorney Peter R. Olson will be the next county administrator, set to replace Steve Bradley, who is retiring along with current Commissioner Clarence Brown. 

"Bartow County is fortunate to have a local citizen with the skills and experience that Peter has," Taylor said in a release. "He will be a tremendous asset as we move forward."

Olson this year founded his own firm, Olson Law LLC, after practicing law for 18 years as an associate and partner in a small firm. The new practice focuses on zoning and land-use law, local government law, real property and business litigation, and general trial and appellate practice in state and federal court. 

He has drafted, reviewed or revised many ordinances for local governments around Georgia, including zoning ordinances, development regulations, sign ordinances and adult entertainment ordinances. Olson's most extensive work has been representing Bartow County, frequently advising county leaders, but he also serves as city attorney for Kingston and Resaca.

"I am excited about the opportunity to serve Bartow County and honored to have been asked to assist Steve Taylor," Olson said.

He earned his bachelor's of art degree, cum laude, from Vanderbilt University in 1989 and his juris doctor degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1992. 

Olson also has lectured at the invitation of the Institute for Continuing Legal Education in Georgia, co-chairing the annual Zoning Law seminar; the University of Georgia's Carl Vinson Institute; the Georgia Association of Zoning Administrators; the Georgia Planning Association; and the Institute for Continuing Judicial Education on zoning, annexation and land-use topics. 

Olson frequently speaks at the request of the Atlanta Regional Commission at Community Planning Institutes and local government training sessions for city councils, boards of commissioners, planning commissions and staffs. 

A member of the Georgia Bar and the Cartersville-Bartow County Bar Association, Olson is admitted to practice before the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia, and the Georgia Court of Appeals and Supreme Court.

has worked in Bartow County for sixteen years.  He and his wife Ellyn have two children, Grey 7 and Eden 4.