Kyle Luebke
Finance and Restructuring Associate
Faegre Baker Daniels LLP
“It wasn't until I got out into the "real world" and found new sources of support that I realized that it was completely fine for me to be who I am.”
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
I came out as gay and my parents sent me to residential therapy to try to "fix" me and my lifestyle.
For a long time, I couldn't accept myself; when I finally did, it was a huge turning point for me.
My parents wouldn't sign my FAFSA papers and for a while I didn't know if I could go to college.
I decided to take on multiple jobs and work my way through school so I could pursue my dream.
Put myself through the University of Memphis, then through the University of Michigan's Law School.
I'm currently working at one of the largest, most reputable law firms in the United States.
Education
High School
Career
Finance and Restructuring Associate
I assist banks and tribal clients with front-end commercial lending.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Law
Action Sports
Problem Solving
Day to Day
Each day, I get to work, check my email and voicemail, and get my day started. On a daily basis, I'm usually drafting documents for transactions between my clients, my firm, and any partners we're working with. I'll hop on conference calls with various clients to see if they've found any problems with the deals that we've proposed. I'll also spend time on the phone with opposing counsel who have found issues with the deals that we've drafted and need to speak attorney-to-attorney.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for high school students
You have to really start challenging yourself as early as high school and keep challenging yourself throughout your undergraduate schooling. When prospective employers and prospective law school admissions counselors are looking back at your transcripts, you need to prove that you're a valuable candidate and that you're someone people will want in their community or their workplace. Take your education seriously, and you'll show everyone that you have the drive to be a successful attorney.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"If you continue to be who you are, no one will ever love you, you'll never find a spouse, and you'll never be happy."
Challenges I Overcame
LGBT
