Thomas D. Sykes
A Senior, Heavily Lauded, Coast-to-Coast Federal Tax-Dispute Lawyer
- Biography
National stature, practicing in Redmond, WA. One of the nation’s premier federal tax litigators. Senior tax-dispute lawyer, practicing federal tax law since 1982. Formerly represented the IRS in court while with the Tax Division of the United States Department of Justice, in DC; formerly a federal prosecutor; formerly a partner with a DC tax boutique and two ultra-large law firms in Chicago. Has litigated perhaps three or four billion dollars worth of federal tax cases; led the successful effort to recover about two billion dollars for the nation’s teaching hospitals. Successfully persuaded DOJ and IRS to fully concede a $15 million bet-the-company tax case in federal court in the Southeast. First-chaired matters before IRS Exam, IRS Appeals, the Treasury Department, federal trial courts, and federal appellate courts. Extensively published. Moved to Seattle area in 2019, following spouse’s career. Practices federal tax law nationwide, and state tax law in Wisconsin, Illinois, and DC.
- Practice Areas
- Tax Law
- Business Taxes, Criminal Tax Litigation, Income Taxes, International Taxes, Payroll Taxes, Property Taxes, Sales Taxes, Tax Appeals, Tax Audits
- Appeals & Appellate
- Civil Appeals, Federal Appeals
- Gov & Administrative Law
- Administrative Law, Legislative & Government Affairs
- Intellectual Property
- Municipal Law
- Fees
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Free Consultation
Free initial consultation, up to 30 minutes. - Credit Cards Accepted
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Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
Very detailed firm website allows potential clients to drill down. Not boilerplate.
- Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- District of Columbia
- District of Columbia Bar
- Since 1998
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- Professional Experience
- United States Department of Justice, 1982-1998
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Current
- Partner, DC Tax Boutique, 1998-2002
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Current
- Partner, Chicago Office of International Law Firm, 2002-2010.
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Current
- Partner, Chicago Office of International Law Firm, 2010-2013.
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Current
- Partner, Chicago Law Firm, 2013-2015.
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Current
- Law Offices of Thomas D. Sykes PLLC
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2016 –
Current
- Founded own law firm to pursue $600mm class action against IRS, seeking additional statutory interest for 300 of the nation’s teaching hospitals.
- Education
- The Ohio State University Michael E. Moritz College of Law
- J.D. (1979) | Law
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1976
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1979 - Honors: Author of Note published at 41 Ohio St. L. J. 211 (1980)
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- University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
- B.A. (1976) | History, Philosphy
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1972
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1976 - Honors: Magna cum laude
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- Awards
- Rated 10 out of 10.
- AVVO
- 2025
- Illinois Leading Lawyer
- Leading Lawyers of Illinois
- 2025
- Top five percent as selected by peers. Non-compensated.
- Top 100 High Stakes Litigator for Illinois
- America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators
- 2023
- Award made to fewer than one-half of one percent of litigators. Non-compensatory selection.
- Super Lawyer
- Super Lawyers
- 2021
- Voted Top Five Percent by peers for 13 years, including in 2021.
- Outstanding Attorney
- U.S. Department of Justice, Tax Division
- 1986
- Received this award in 1986, 1988, 1991, and 1998.
- Professional Associations
- Illinois Bar
- Member
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2002 –
Current -
- DC Bar
- Member
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1998 –
Current -
- Wisconsin State Bar
- Member
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1979 –
Current -
- Publications
- Many — see law firm’s website at www.sykestaxlaw.com
- Websites & Blogs
- Contact & Address
- Rate This Lawyer