Kylee Culkin is a 2025 Summer Associate in the firm’s Long Island office. Kylee spent last summer as a judicial intern to the Hon. Louis A. Scarcella of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of New York. She recently completed her second year at Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University where she worked as a teaching assistant to Professor Jeremy Weintraub. She graduated summa cum laude from the State University of New York at Albany with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Business.
Learn more about Kylee through the Summer Associate Spotlight below:
What made you interested in law as a Career? My interest in law began as a freshman in high school when I took part in a week-long mock trial at the U.S. District Court for the EDNY in Central Islip through the Justice Institute. Learning from Judge Bianco and Touro Law students, as well as experiencing the courtroom environment firsthand sparked something in me. I left that program knowing I wanted to pursue a career in law, and I have been talking about going to law school ever since.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? Outside of work, I love reading and getting completely lost in the universe of whatever book or series I am into at the moment. I also really enjoy spending time with my German Shepherd. We go on walks together and play fetch, which is always a great way to unwind.
What have you enjoyed most about Cullen and Dykman’s program? What I have enjoyed most about Cullen and Dykman’s Summer Associate Program is that it is unassigned, which has allowed me to learn about a variety of practice areas. I have had the chance to work on different types of matters and see what areas really interest me. It also creates a great environment for meeting and networking with people across the firm, which has made the experience even more valuable.
What academic/professional achievement are you most proud of? The academic achievement I am most proud of is advancing to the semi-finals in Hofstra’s 2025 Intramural Moot Court Competition. The previous year, I was hesitant to participate because I felt uncertain and out of my comfort zone. However, I challenged myself to step beyond those fears, prepared diligently, and ultimately succeeded in reaching the semi-finals. This experience not only strengthened my legal research and oral advocacy skills, but also taught me the value of perseverance and pushing myself to grow professionally and personally.
What advice do you have for prospective Summer Associates/Fellows? My advice for prospective Summer Associates/Fellows is to stay curious and open-minded throughout the experience. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn about different practice areas and ask lots of questions. Building relationships and networking with attorneys and fellow interns is also very important, so be kind and stay proactive in connecting with people. Also, do not be afraid to step outside your comfort zone, as that is often where the most growth happens.
What is the best career advice you have received at Cullen and Dykman? The best career advice I have received at Cullen and Dykman is that “it is nice to be important, but it is more important to be nice.” This reminder has helped me focus on building genuine relationships, showing respect to everyone I work with, and maintaining humility no matter what role or task. It has also taught me that kindness and professionalism go a long way in creating a positive work environment and lasting impression.
Can you describe some of the ways that you grew during your time at Cullen and Dykman? During my time at Cullen and Dykman, I have grown both professionally and personally. I gained a lot of confidence in my legal research and writing skills, especially as attorneys asked for my thoughts and opinions on the matters I was working on. Knowing that my contributions were valued helped me trust my own judgment more. I also stepped out of my comfort zone socially and became more confident in networking and building connections with attorneys and staff across the firm.
What is the most valuable skill you gained while being a Summer Associate? The most valuable skill I gained as a Summer Associate was learning how to think practically when working with clients. I saw firsthand that providing clear, realistic, and thoughtful guidance is what builds trust with clients. Developing this skill is essential, not only for maintaining long-lasting client relationships, but also for advancing in your career.