Kayla Zorn is a 2025 Summer Associate in the firm’s Long Island office. Kayla recently completed her second year at St. John’s University School of Law. While in law school, she is the Associate Managing Editor of the Journal of Civil Rights and Economic Development and is the President of the Student Bar Association. This past fall she was a judicial intern for Hon. Jil Mazer-Marino, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of New York. She graduated from Fordham University with a B.A. in Economics and International Political Economy with a minor in Business Administration.
Learn more about Kayla through the Summer Associate Spotlight below:
What made you interested in law as a Career? My interest in a career in law began with my family owning a small business and seeing their interactions with different lawyers for different things. I was drawn to the idea of using critical thinking and advocacy to help others navigate complex challenges. The law offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact, and I was drawn to the idea of making an impact, small or big.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? Outside of work, I enjoy spending time at the beach and reading a good book. I also love going to the gym and trying different workout classes.
What have you enjoyed most about Cullen and Dykman’s program? One of the aspects I’ve enjoyed most about the program is the opportunity to work with various practice groups. Being able to explore different areas of the law has been incredibly valuable. Everyone at Cullen and Dykman has been willing to share insights about their work, which has helped me gain a clearer sense of the type of law I might want to pursue long term.
What academic/professional achievement are you most proud of? I’m most proud of being elected President of the Student Bar Association and being named Associate Managing Editor for the Journal of Civil Rights and Economic Development.
What advice do you have for prospective Summer Associates/Fellows? My advice to prospective Summer Associates/Fellows is to be open to every opportunity, even those outside your initial interests. The summer is a time to explore different practice areas and learn from a wide range of attorneys. Every experience, even unexpected ones, can teach you something valuable and help shape your career path.
What is the best career advice you have received at Cullen and Dykman? Some of the best career advice I have received at Cullen and Dykman is to explore different areas of the law and to have confidence in the things you do. I was also reminded that who you work with can be just as important as the work itself. Building strong relationships and being in a supportive environment makes a huge difference.
Can you describe some of the ways that you grew during your time at Cullen and Dykman? This summer I have grown both personally and professionally. I’ve learned how important it is to ask for help when needed. Everyone wants you to learn and grow and asking for help and asking questions is a part of learning. I’ve also kept an open mind by exploring practice areas I hadn’t previously considered, and to my surprise, I’ve discovered interests I hadn’t anticipated. I also have gotten more confident in networking and building connections with attorneys.
What is the most valuable skill you gained while being a Summer Associate? One of the most valuable skills I developed this summer is enhancing my legal research and writing abilities. I gained experience using Lexis tools like Lex Machina, which allowed me to access and analyze court dockets. This has been a powerful resource for my research assignments and has helped me work more efficiently and effectively.