Associate Story - Asel Lindsey
Whether you’re fresh out of law school or an experienced attorney seeking a new challenge, putting yourself in an environment that empowers you to succeed is key to taking the next step. At Dykema, you don’t take that step alone—here, that step is made of several different footprints. Just ask Asel Lindsey.
After six years as an associate at two other firms, Asel joined Dykema in 2019. Four years later, she earned the title of partner.
Uncharted Territory
Growing up in Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia, becoming a tax attorney wasn’t exactly on Asel’s radar. “I came to the United States on a student visa with big dreams,” she says. “I learned to persevere no matter the circumstances and to embrace challenges. My experiences shaped me as a person and what I do today.” As a member of Dykema’s Taxation group, the challenges Asel faces today might look a little different, but she approaches them with the same steadfast determination she always has.
Culture First
When looking for her next role, Asel’s primary criteria were firm culture and opportunities for professional growth. “I think firm culture reflects the core values of an organization,” she says, “and I always sought to work at a firm with a positive and supportive environment, especially for female attorneys.”
After learning about Dykema’s opportunities for mentorship and programs for continued professional growth, Asel realized this was exactly the environment she had in mind. Four years in, she attributes part of her success to the firm’s commitment to work-life balance, noting how Dykema “encourages young attorneys to build a good support network within their family,” which “can enable them to have an exciting and satisfying career, a balanced family life, and much more.”
Writing Her Own Script
Dykema looks like a big firm, and acts like a small firm. Professional development programs are tailored to align with the unique interests and goals of each associate. After experiencing this firsthand, Asel has found herself on the other side of the equation: after helping to launch the Dykema Leadership Institute, she continues her involvement with various practice development efforts within the firm, including as a mentor for our Summer Associate program.
“I was ready, and the firm knew it”
According to Asel, making partner at Dykema is a collegial process—it’s just as much about fostering connections as it is developing your skill set. “I think the primary factor that goes into consideration for partnership is whether or not someone is ready for the role,” she says. In her experience, the true sign that someone is ready to take the next step is when they demonstrate “an ability to represent the firm well.”
Her advice to incoming associates? “Focus on developing technical skills and expertise in your practice area, seek out mentors inside and outside your firm, and invest in building relationships within your firm and in your community.”
