Partners and Senior Counsel
Lateral Paths to Success
For Daniela Gonzales Aldape, Dykema’s commitment to workplace diversity wasn’t just a mission statement—it was a call to action. As the sole minority woman to make partner at her firm, Daniela was seeking an environment that not only empowered her to succeed, as she defines success, but one that cultivated a culture of inclusion.
“It has the small firm feel.” And Daniela could not resist a pop culture nod that reminded her of how Dykema’s sense of excellence means propping up and building up one another—I think of that saying, ‘when one of us shines, all of us shine’.”
Now, as valued member of the Dykema team, Daniela is helping us all shine.
Destination: Dykema
Joining a new firm is an important and often difficult decision, and we know how many factors there are to consider. To name a few, you are probably asking yourself: will my clients support this move; will joining Dykema lead to practice growth; will the firm offer both attorney collaboration and administrative resources; will I enjoy working with my colleagues; and will the firm support my professional growth, integration, and leadership potential while maintaining a client focus?
Here at Dykema, we are confidently able to answer all of these questions with a resounding YES.
The firm is committed to a culture of integrity, collegiality, and professionalism, and part of that culture is ensuring a smooth transition for our lateral hires. We are driven by a desire to hire, integrate, and collaborate with smart colleagues—starting with you.
Why Join Dykema?
Elements of a Good Fit
At Dykema, we are committed to providing exceptional value, exceeding expectations, and delivering outstanding results for our clients. We do this, in part, by bringing the strongest talent together across the firm and the country. Internal collaboration is a hallmark of Dykema culture that makes possible our success, and lateral hiring and integration are critical aspects of that culture.
We are focused on delivering outstanding results and we strive, at every level, to develop relationships with our clients built on trust and mutual respect. Unparalleled client service is at the heart of our approach to the practice of law. That focus has been a cornerstone of our success for more than 95 years.
We hire the best and the brightest talents and instill in all a commitment to our clients’ satisfaction and the achievement of their business and legal goals. We serve clients around the world from our strategically situated offices in Michigan, Illinois, Texas, California, Minnesota, Washington, D.C., and Wisconsin.
Through our practice management structure and our focused industry groups, we know and understand the industries in which our clients compete. We make it our business to know our clients’ businesses and to fully understand, appreciate and anticipate our clients’ challenges, goals and objectives.
Our firm is organized by grouping together related legal practice areas, rather than by geographic location, to provide the highest level of client service to clients across the country. This functional approach ensures that the full array of firm resources, regardless of location, is available to all clients, and encourages our lawyers to reach out to one another to provide clients with the best and most efficient service the firm has to offer.
Dykema believes the practice of law, especially in a large commercial firm, is a privilege that carries with it profound societal responsibilities. Performing legal services for those who are traditionally denied access to justice—or for organizations that benefit such persons—is a central part of our effort to meet the legal needs of the underserved in our community.
All of our associates and members are required to either do pro bono work or donate to a legal aid agency of their choice. Additionally, our formal policy ensures that all lawyers and legal assistants will receive billable hour credit for pro bono work.
Dykema takes its commitment to being outstanding citizens seriously. As a firm, and in partnership with our legal aid colleagues, through our pro bono practice we help solve some of our community’s most complex legal problems, making it a more than just a place to live.
The firm believes, as Justice Hugo Black once said, “There can be no equal justice where the kind of trial a man gets depends on the amount of money he has.” The firm’s attorneys leverage our pro bono work in ways that will tip the scales of justice in our clients’ favor, whether they be asylees, domestic violence survivors, veterans, the elderly or nonprofits serving those populations and those like them. We have proudly served these clients with an unparalleled dedication to client satisfaction.
We recognize the importance of a truly comprehensive benefit program for the best quality of life for our employees.
We are especially proud to have recently extended benefits to include domestic partners. In addition, we extended our parental leave period and benefits to allow our colleagues to fully experience this special time with their families. Our package includes:
- Medical, vision and dental insurance for employees, spouses, domestic partners and children
- Life insurance and supplemental life insurance; dependent (spouse/domestic partner/child) life
insurance - Long-term disability insurance
- Short-term disability—salary continuation
- Paid parental leave
- Vacation/Sick leave
- Health savings account
- 401(k) deferrals
- Technology allowance
- Transportation program
- Competitive employee referral program
- Plus additional benefits are available to non-member attorneys
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Diversity and inclusion are core values at Dykema. Our commitment to DE&I is central to how we engage with each other, engage with our clients, and engage in the communities in which we work and live.
Diversity at Dykema is not only the “right thing to do,” but it is the “business thing to do.” We believe that an inclusive, positive environment that emphasizes respect, collaboration, fairness, and equality fosters superior service to our clients and is essential to the long-term success of our firm.
Lateral Impressions
Sam Royko Joins Dykema’s Chicago Office
Dykema announced the addition of Sam Royko as a Senior Counsel in its Business Litigation Practice…
Real Estate Attorney Benjamin E. Bayram Joins Dykema’s Bloomfield Hills Office
Dykema announced the addition of Benjamin Bayram as a Senior Counsel in its Real Estate Practice…
Dykema’s Houston Office Adds Trial Attorney Brad K. Howell
Dykema announced the addition of Brad Howell as a Member in its Product Liability Practice Group…
Join Us!
Interested lateral Member and Senior Counsel applicants may start discussions by contacting Mary Beth Walsh, Director of Lateral Recruiting, who handles member and counsel recruiting. We hope you will join us.
- Mary Beth Walsh, Senior Director, Legal Recruiting and Development
- April Booth, Manager, Legal Recruiting & Development
- Christopher Kratovil, Lateral Recruiting Member
- Michael Wippler, Lateral Recruiting Member
Dykema does not accept unsolicited submissions for lateral member or senior counsel opportunities from search / placement agencies (with or without a contract with our firm). Agencies are welcome to request approval for a submission by emailing a blind summary of candidate to the appropriate Legal Recruiting Department staff person(s) only, with a request to engage.
Submissions by search agencies to any person(s) other than Legal Recruiting Department staff, including hiring attorneys or other firm attorneys, will not constitute acceptance of candidate or contact.
