Vince F. Sykes

Vince F. Sykes is a dedicated attorney with a diverse background that combines military service, engineering expertise, and a passion for social justice. As a veteran of the United States Air Force, Vince served on active duty and earned several distinguished awards, including the Good Conduct Medal and Overseas Tour of Duty. His time in the military instilled a strong sense of discipline and commitment to service, which he carries into his legal practice.

After completing his military service, Vince pursued higher education and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from SUNY Stony Brook, a Master’s in Business Administration from Pepperdine University, and a Juris Doctorate, Cum Laude, from Pace Law School.

Vince’s career trajectory began in Silicon Valley, where he worked for leading tech companies such as Cisco Systems, Bay Networks, and Alcatel-Lucent. As a key member of the Alcatel-Lucent team, he contributed to the development of AT&T’s 4G cellular network. However, his true calling emerged when he transitioned into law, driven by a desire to address social injustices and disparities, particularly in the criminal justice system.

Today, Vince is a fierce advocate for victims’ rights, specializing in civil rights, employment law, and personal injury. His multicultural upbringing born in Washington, D.C., to diplomat parents and raised in countries including Moscow, London, and Ghana—shapes his empathetic approach to law, allowing him to connect with clients from diverse backgrounds.

Practice Areas

Civil Rights

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

• Discrimination

• Employment

• Police Misconduct

Employment Law

• Employment Discrimination

• Sexual Harassment

• Whistleblower

• Wrongful Termination

Personal Injury

• Animal & Dog Bites

• Car Accidents

• Construction Accidents

• Motorcycle Accidents

• Premises Liability

• Truck Accidents

• Wrongful Death

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice

• New York (Since 2011)

• 2nd Circuit (Since 2014)

• U.S. Court of International Trade (Since 2018)

• U.S. Supreme Court (Since 2016)

Languages

• English, Written

Professional Experience

Founder/Partner
Sykes & Associates Law Firm
2011 – Present
Vince founded his own law firm after graduating from law school, focusing initially on criminal and immigration defense. Over the years, his practice has evolved into civil rights litigation, with a particular focus on police brutality, excessive force, race discrimination, and employment discrimination cases. Vince has conducted over 10 jury trials and hundreds of federal immigration defense trials. He is admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Court of International Trade, as well as the Southern and Eastern District Courts of New York.

Education

• J.D., Elisabeth Haub School of Law – Pace University, 2011
  Honors: Cum Laude

• M.B.A., Pepperdine University, 2002

• B.S., Electrical Engineering, State University of New York – Stony Brook, 1994

Awards

• Good Conduct Medal, U.S. Air Force

Professional Associations

• New York State Bar Association, Member

• Westchester County Bar Association, Member

• Federal Bar Association, Member