Associate Story - Sam Kilberg

Sam Kilberg is a people person.

It’s why his office door is always open. It’s why he can’t pass your desk without saying hello. And it’s why he chose to work at Dykema, where strong relationships are the core of the firm’s culture.

Set From the Start

Sam didn’t begin his legal career at Dykema because the firm came up first on a Google search or a job board—he chose it because it was personally recommended by people he trusted. And from day one, it was evident that this was a culture that emphasizes both professional achievement and personal well-being.

Perhaps nowhere is this mentality more evident than with Dykema’s summer mentorship program, which provides every incoming associate with both an associate mentor and a partner mentor to ensure their guidance comes from multiple perspectives. Sam credits his mentors with establishing the ethos that’s defined his tenure at Dykema, recalling his early days when one of these mentors told him, “the firm expects three things from you: hard work, an excellent work product, and most importantly, a life outside of the office.”

“The Now and the Later”

One thing Sam didn’t consider when he became an attorney? “The idea that I’m my own brand, and that I have to work to build it.”

The good news? Dykema has the resources to set him up for success and ensure he’ll never have to do it on his own. One part of that equation is the firm’s business development team, which consistently encourages Sam and his colleagues to think strategically about their professional presence, and equips them with the tools to grow their practice. “We’re constantly pushed to focus on personal development,” he says, “and the focus is on both the now and the later.”

Then you have the firm’s practice group leaders, who empower their teams by cultivating an environment where every opinion is not only heard, but valued. Says Sam, “It may sound trivial, but I feel very fortunate that I work with partners who hold my opinion in such high esteem, especially at my level. But I think that diversity of opinions is one of the primary reasons for our continued success.”

Extracurriculars

Dykema encourages its attorneys to explore opportunities that will enhance their practice, whether that means collaborating with other departments, getting involved in their community, or—crucially—taking time away from work.

A pivotal moment for Sam came when he became a new father. His practice group leader and colleagues didn’t just support him during this period, but encouraged him to focus on his personal life. “I’d always felt supported professionally,” he explains, “but knowing I had the firm’s backing during this important life event made me even more motivated to excel in my role and show up for my colleagues.” 

Breaking Silos

He may sit within Dykema’s real estate group, but the firm’s cross-serving structure offers Sam the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across industries, practice areas, and offices. “At a big firm like this, I came in expecting to be part of an assembly line,” he says. “But Dykema is the rare firm that lets you carve your own path.”

For someone like Sam, working at a big firm just means more people to interact with, learn from, and feel supported by. “The people here at Dykema are the reason for my continued success. Maybe somewhere out there at Dykema, there's somebody who's not fun to work with,” he acknowledges.

“But after years of working with colleagues across many offices and states, I haven’t come across them yet.”