Tuella O. Sykes

Tuella O. Sykes

4.1
Rating: 6.1

Licensed for 20 years

Tax Lawyer at Seattle, WA
Practice Areas: Tax, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

600 Stewart St., Suite 1300, Seattle, WA

About Tuella

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Washington for 20 years

State: Washington

Acquired: 2005

Active

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2023

Location

The Law Office of Tuella O. Sykes, PLLC

600 Stewart St., Suite 1300, Seattle, WA, 98101

The Law Office of Tuella O. Sykes, PLLC

600 1st Avenue Suite 307, Seattle, WA, 98104

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Tuella O. Sykes's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.1 /5.0

13 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (13) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews | General Knowledge

Posted by Naz | April 29, 2025 | Hired Attorney

Lack of empathy and compassion

Absolutely the worst experience I’ve ever had with an attorney. After taking my money, she failed to provide the service she promised. Completely unprofessional from the start — at one point, she even began shaking her hands and neck aggressively, like she was in a street fight rather than a professi...onal setting. Her attitude was shockingly disrespectful and combative. She showed no empathy, no compassion, and clearly had no real knowledge of the law or how to help her clients. I was left feeling taken advantage of and completely unsupported. Avoid this attorney at all costs — she is not someone you want representing you in any legal matter.

Posted by Ryan | January 09, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Litigation

missed deadlines, inaccurate filings, and incredible lack of attention to detail

Long story short - if you want your case to be decided by late and incomplete work, Tuella is the attorney for you. Tuella is highly disorganized, and routinely missed filing deadlines and failed to understand and include key facts in filings. Tuella’s time management is so incompetent, her inac...curate and largely incomplete work is provided with minutes to review prior to the submission deadlines, allowing for her sloppiness and failure to understand the facts to decide key legal matters. Tuella is similarly incompetent as a litigator, commonly failing to effectively communicate basic and decisive facts in litigation despite her stated ‘mastery’ of the concepts.

Posted by James | November 08, 2012 | Bankruptcy & Debt

My experience with Tuella

She was very instrunmental in keeping me informed on what to do concerning my bankruptcy. Keeping me out of fear and anxiety about the proceedure was the first order of business. Secondly, she was very professional, knowlegable, friendly, and she got me through the bankruptcy without any complicati...ons what-so-ever. I have recommended her to several of my friends. I would hire her again.

Posted by Nickie | August 07, 2011 | Bankruptcy & Debt

Great Atorney

Tuella is a great attorney. She helped us with our bankruptcy and she and her staff kept us up to date on the proceedings at all times. If I had a question all I had to do was call, and either Tuella or one of her staff would get back to me right away to answer. Tuella even meet us at our home in Mo...unt Vernon, and sometimes we would meet somewhere in between to sign paper work, so that it would be more conveinient for us. I would highly reccomend Tuella and her staff for any legal needs you might need. She is very up to date on the law and how to help you. You will never be left in the dark about what is going on because she is always just a phone call away!

Posted by James | August 05, 2011 | Lawsuits & Disputes

A Pleasurable Experience

Working with Tuella was a pleasure for me. At the time I didn't quite know what to expect of my legal situation and was very nervous about it. Tuella on the other hand with her calm and joyous demeanor along with her professional know how, was informative enough to help me understand the proceedu...res so I didn't have to worry myself so much. In the end after the whole ordeal I could see clearly how smoothly she brought me through without any complications. Her caring for me as an individual also made me feel like I was working with a good friend. Thank you so much Tuella. I appreciate you and I have sent you one of my friends who is also very happy to have you as her guide. Keep up the good work JG in Federal Way

See All Client Reviews

Tuella O. Sykes's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Tuella
Vonnie Clay Dones III headshot
Vonnie Dones

Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer | Apr 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. A brilliant, trustworthy and highly respected attorney in the legal community."

Shashi Vijay headshot
Shashi Vijay

Tax lawyer | Apr 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Tuella is a wonderful lawyer. She is intelligent, experienced, knowledgeable, and passionate. She is incredibly generous with her time and never hesitates to help fellow lawyers. I am happy to endorse her."

Socrates de La Cruz headshot
Socrates de La Cruz

Tax lawyer | Mar 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. A great advocate and fights for his clients in court."

Judd S Nemiro headshot
Judd Nemiro

Unknown lawyer | Mar 30

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer. Very knowledgeable and goes above and beyond to get great results for clients."

Edward C Chung headshot
Edward Chung

Tax lawyer | Dec 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have know Tuella for numerous years and despite being a dear friend, I am always marveled at her day-to-day dedication towards her client's interest. She is both knowledgeable and charming and will zealously represent her client and a worthy adversary in court."

Earl David Maxwell headshot
Earl Maxwell

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Aug 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer based upon our association on Avvo and research of her Answers, qualifications, and experience."

Daniel Edward Luneau headshot
Daniel Luneau

Unknown lawyer | Apr 25

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Sykes is an exceptional attorney with a superb knowledge of the law."

Michael A. Goldstein headshot
Michael Goldstein

Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer | Mar 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer as one who provides solid answers on Avvo to many Debtors with questions regarding bankruptcy."

Cameron Ross Monti headshot
Cameron Monti

Tax lawyer | Mar 12

Relationship: Friend

"I strongly endorse this lawyer. Tuella is one of the most talented attorneys I know in Seattle, if not the greater Pacitic Northwest. Her knowledge and understanding of federal and state tax law is top notch, and the professionalism and ethical manner she handles her clients and fellow attorneys is a rare quality these days. I would not hesitate to recommend Tuella to any client, friend, or family member. A+ Rating."

Stefano Vincenzo D'Agostino headshot
Stefano D'Agostino

Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer | Mar 12

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Evan A Nielsen headshot
Evan Nielsen

Unknown lawyer | Jan 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Steven Anderson Leahy headshot
Steven Leahy

Tax lawyer | Nov 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Attorney Sykes is a credit to the Avvo Community. She shares excellent information, after careful consideration of the facts presented in the post. I endorse Ms. Sykes."

Gregory J. Jalbert headshot
Gregory Jalbert

Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer | Aug 03

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Tuella helped out a client with a tough IRS issue and was successful. She did exactly what she said she would do. Clients were very pleased."

Antoinette M Davis headshot
Antoinette Davis

Tax lawyer | Aug 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Tuella is a very bright and strategic attorney. Her skills and knowledge base in tax and bankruptcy law are solid. She has a natural ability to distill complex and challenging details, analyzing the possibilities and focusing on resolution. Tuella is professional, hard-working and a dedicated advocate for her clients. I gladly endorse her!"

View All Endorsements
Shashi Vijay headshot
Shashi Vijay

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Socrates de La Cruz headshot
Socrates de La Cruz

Criminal defense lawyer

Judd S Nemiro headshot
Judd Nemiro

Family lawyer

Edward C Chung headshot
Edward Chung

Litigation lawyer

Dima Malhas headshot
Dima Malhas

Immigration lawyer

Michael A. Goldstein headshot
Michael Goldstein

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Stefano Vincenzo D'Agostino headshot
Stefano D'Agostino

Personal injury lawyer

Steven Anderson Leahy headshot
Steven Leahy

Tax lawyer

Evan A Nielsen headshot
Evan Nielsen

Tax lawyer

Antoinette M Davis headshot
Antoinette Davis

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Gregory J. Jalbert headshot
Gregory Jalbert

Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer

Experience

Rating:  6.1 (Good)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2023.

Reprimand issued in WA, 2023

updated on 10/03/2023

This means the attorney did something wrong, but the Bar did not suspend the lawyer. Typically in this case the lawyer's poor behavior is exposed to the public in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior.

Work Experience

2006 - Present

Attorney, The Law Offices of Tuella O. Sykes, PLLC

Associations

2009 - Present

United States Tax Court

Member

2009 - Present

United States District Court for the Western District of Washington

Member

2007 - Present

Washington State Bar Association, Taxation Law Section

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Student Loan Discharged in Bankruptcy

Client had $35,000 of student loan debt fully discharged in bankruptcy

IRS Tax LIability

Reduction of tax debt to $33,000

Student Loan Discharged in Bankruptcy

Student Loan Debt discharged in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

See More Legal Cases

Education

2002

University of Washinton

LL.M - Master of Laws

2001

St John's University School of Law

Juris Doctor

1994

College of St. Catherine

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2012

Legal Workshop

Foreclosure Assistance

2010

Youth and Law Forum 2010

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Cell Phone Contracts

2010

Legal Workshop 2010

Foreclosure Assistance

2009

Financial Fitness 2009

Preparing your Tax Return

2008

Financial Fitness Conference

Effective Tax Planning

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2023
    Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution