Bradford Olson (2017 Cohort): From Beijing to NYC Firms

Having graduated from Columbia Law School in 2020, Chinese Flagship alumnus Bradford Olson is now a law clerk at the New York office of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, a leading international law firm. His Capstone internship at a top Chinese law firm in Beijing and experiences with the Flagship Program became a central topic as he interviewed for positions at law firms in 2019.

Bradford Olson joined the Chinese Flagship Program in 2014, not long after the establishment of the program at University of Minnesota. As a member of the Flagship Program, Bradford enjoyed study abroad experiences in Beijing and Taipei before embarking on his Capstone Year. 

During his Capstone year, Bradford spent a semester at Nanjing University and then completed an internship at the Beijing office of the prestigious Yingke Law Firm. After graduating in the spring of 2017 summa cum laude with degrees in mathematics, music, and Asian studies, Bradford enrolled at Columbia Law School, and had the opportunity to work at legal offices in Minneapolis, New York, and Hong Kong, finally securing his position in the New York office of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP.

According to Bradford, his experience working in a top Chinese law firm was an important factor in kickstarting his legal world endeavors, and his experiences at Yingke and with the Flagship Program was a central topic during his job interviews for law firms. At Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, Bradford hopes to continue working with American companies as they navigate Chinese deals.