About Sykas Law office Dover New Hampshire

Attorney Abigail Sykas
Sykas Law Office was founded in February of 2009 by Attorney Abigail Sykas, who offers her combined legal and business experience to meet the varied needs of businesses and individuals. Her broad experience ranges from serving as legal counsel for a Congressional campaign, to forming for profit and not-for-profit organizations, to providing advice about business disputes and issues, to assisting individuals with the legal aspects of day-to-day life. Her practice provides her clients with effective, responsive, and comprehensive solutions. Abby prides herself on listening to the issues and concerns that are important her clients, ensuring that her efforts on their behalf are tailored to their needs.

After law school in 2001, Abby moved to NH, and spent approximately the next five years practicing law with two noted New Hampshire firms, focusing on management-side employment and labor law matters, and the general representation of businesses, school districts, and municipalities. This work included providing advice about corporate governance and regulatory matters, business disputes, real estate transactions, risk management issues, and drafting and revising various contracts and agreements.

In 2005, Abby left the legal world for a few years, taking the opportunity to serve as a member of the senior management team of one of the largest not-for-profit retirement communities in New England. In this role, she gained invaluable hands-on experience in managing the daily and strategic operations of a not-for-profit corporation with a budget of $22 million per year. While serving the approximately 650 residents of the community, she gained a deeper understanding of how the needs of the elderly can be met with dignity, respect, and compassion. She also gained experience in addressing issues related to end of life care and decisions, and healthcare and financial powers of attorney.

Abby has been invited to give seminars or speak to groups on topics ranging from the FMLA to payroll issues to estate planning. She also spent a semester as an adjunct professor at The New Hampshire Technical Institute in Concord, NH, where she taught Sports Law. In this class, she and her students explored the intertwined business, legal and liability aspects of sports teams, sporting events, and recreation management.

Community Involvement:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Seacoast: Board Member (2009-ongoing)
Concord Chamber of Commerce: Ex Officio Member Board of Directors (2007-Ongoing)
Concord Young Professionals Network: Member of Steering Committee (2006-ongoing); also held the positions of Chair, Steering Committee (2007-2008); Chair, Social Committee (2006-2007)
Vesta Roy Excellence in Public Service Series: Current Chair, Board of Governors (2008-ongoing); also held the positions of Vice Chair, Board of Governors (2007-2008); Member, Board of Governors (2006-ongoing); Graduate of program (2006)
The CareGivers, Inc.: Member, Board of Directors (2003-2007)
The American Cancer Society’s Greater Manchester Relay For Life: (2001-2004) Member & Volunteer Coordinator, Leadership Committee
Daniel Webster Council, Boy Scouts of America Law Explorer Post: Co-Advisor of Devine, Millimet & Branch, P.A. Post (2001-2004)
N.H. Biotechnology Council, Human Resources Consortium: Member (2003-2004)
New Hampshire Bar Association: Member (2001-ongoing); Member, Law Related Education Committee (2002-2005); Member, Labor and Employment Section (2003-2005)
Vermont Bar Association: Member (2004-2006)

Publications:

“Sexual Harassment: What Smart Employers Need to Know” Local Government Center, Town & City Magazine, September 2004
“English Only: Language Based Rules and Employment Decisions” Business NH Magazine, May 2004
“Waste Not, Want Not: Can the Public Policy Doctrine Prohibit the Destruction of Property by Testamentary Direction?” Note, 24 Vt. L. Rev. 911 (2001)

Education:

Vermont Law School, South Royalton, VT

Juris Doctor, May 2001, cum laude
Vermont Law School Academic Excellence Award, Appellate Advocacy, Fall 1999
Vermont Law Review, Associate Articles Editor, Staff Member, 1999-2001
Jessup International Moot Court, Advisory Board, selected by competition, 1999-2000
Thomas M. Debevoise Moot Court, Selected to participate, quarterfinalist, Spring 2000
Summer Clerk, Vermont Supreme Court, for Justice Morse, Summer 1999

University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT

BA Political Science, concentration in International Relations, May 1998
Dean’s List: Spring 1997, Fall 1998, Spring 1998
Pi Sigma Alpha: Political Science Honors Society.
United States Naval Academy Foreign Affairs Conference: Spring 1998
University of Connecticut Frontiers in Undergraduate Research: Spring 1998

Bar Admissions:
New Hampshire: Fall 2001; Vermont: Spring 2002 (inactive status since 2007)