Brooklyn Law School Names New Leaders for International Programs and Academic Advising
(L to R) In July, Carl Olson became Director of International Programs and Mariah Vitali was named Associate Director of Academic Advising.
Brooklyn Law School has appointed Carl Olson as Director of International Programs and Mariah Vitali as Associate Director of Academic Advising, strengthening support for students and reinforcing the Law School’s deep commitment to student success.
Carl Olson, who joined the school last academic year in the newly created position of Director of Academic Advising, will now lead International Programs, overseeing all aspects of international programs for LL.M. and J.D. students. He will also join the faculty as an Adjunct Professor and will teach "Fundamentals of American Law” in the fall 2026 semester.
“I look forward to ensuring that Brooklyn Law School remains a community where all international students feel supported and intellectually engaged, and can make progress towards their goals, such as taking the New York Bar Exam or bringing new skills and knowledge back to their original country,” Olson said. “We will also work to maximize the international opportunities available for our domestic students and faculty, through forging new partnerships with universities and law schools across the globe that share Brooklyn Law's commitment to high-quality, accessible legal education.”
Olson has expertise in supporting international students, including LL.M.s. He began his teaching career as a lecturer at Northwest University of Political Science and Law in Xi’an, China, where he taught U.S. legal writing, American legal systems, and courses related to international law. He also taught graduate and international students at the University of Illinois College of Law before holding leadership roles at St. John’s University overseeing graduate support, student services, global engagement, and graduate admissions.
A 2018 graduate of St. John’s University School of Law, Olson steps into the role previously filled by Diane Edelman ’83, who served as director and adjunct professor before her retirement at the end of June.
Mariah Vitali, whose appointment was effective on July 20, is the new Associate Director of Academic Advising. In her new role, she will work closely with Olson. Vitali brings years of legal experience to the position. Most recently, she spent nearly three years as an Attorney Director at Themis Bar Review, where she worked directly with students preparing for the bar exam. Prior to joining Themis as an employee, Vitali worked as an essay grader with the company, providing students with feedback on their legal writing. Immediately after law school, she worked as an associate in Sidley Austin's litigation department.
“I am incredibly excited to be joining the Brooklyn Law School community, and am looking forward to providing academic advice to students of all years,” Vitali said. “Brooklyn Law is clearly committed to providing a positive student experience and my goal is to ensure that students have what they need to succeed during law school, so that they are ready to meaningfully contribute to the legal profession upon graduation.”
She is a graduate of Columbia Law School and earned a B.A. in history from Vassar College.