Melvin Julius SYKES

Background

Sykes, Melvin Julius was born on January 9, 1924 in Baltimore. Son of Philip Louis and Sara (Klein) Sykes.

Education

Johns Hopkins University (Bachelor of Arts, with honor, 1943). Harvard University (Bachelor of Laws, magna cum laude, 1948). Phi Beta Kappa. Member, Board of Editors, Harvard Law Review, 1947-1948.

Career

Law clerk to Judge Morris A. Soper United States Court Appeals (4th circuit), 1948-1949. Private practice Baltimore, since 1949. Draftsman Maryland Department Legislative Reference, 1949—1950.

Research consultant Maryland Commission Administrative Organization, 1951—1952. Reporter Maryland Communications to Study Judiciary, 1953, Maryland commissions to revise law relating to public service commission, 1953—1955. Member standing committee on rules of practice, procedure Maryland Court Appeals, 1954—1972, since 1978.

Member legislation council Commsn. on Revision Condemnation Laws, 1961—1963. Member Baltimore Charter Revision Committee, 1962—1963. President Bar Library.

Baltimore, 1962—1963. Member Maryland Constitutional Convention Commission, 1966—1967. Consultant Governor Maryland Commission to Revise Testamentary Laws, 1967—1969.

Member Governor Maryland Communications to study state aid to nonpub. education, 1969—1971, Maryland Code Revision Commission, 1970—1978. With United States Air Force, 1943-1945.

Achievements

• Bar: Maryland 1949, United States Court Appeals (4th circuit) 1949, United States District Court Maryland 1950, Supreme Court of the United States Court 1955.

Works

• Other Work

  • "Inter Vivos Transfers in Violation of the Rights of Surviving Spouses," 10 Md. Law Review, 1

  • West’s Maryland Law Encyclopedia Probate Forms (pocket part), 1966. "Of Men and Laws: Murphy, Comford, Arnold.Potter, Parkinson, Peter, Maccoby and Gall,” 38 Maryland Law Review 37. "A Modest Proposal For A Change in Maryland’s Statutes Quo," 43 Maryland Law Review, 647. Co-author, "Sykes and Tabor," West’s Maryland Law Encyclopedia Procedural Forms, 1964.Law Clerk, Honorable Morris A. Soper, United States. Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit, 1948-1949. Legislative Draftsman, Maryland Department of Legislative Reference, 1949-1950.Research Consultant, State Commission on Administrative Organization, 1951-1952. Reporter: State Commission to Study the Judiciary, 1953. State Commission to Revise Laws Relating to Public Service Commission, 1953-1955.Director, 1957-1966 and President, 1962-1964, Baltimore City Bar Library.

Membership

Member governing council American Association Jewish Education, 1968—1981. Honorary board directors Baltimore Jewish Council, 1970—1972, Institute for Christian and Jewish Studies. Board directors Baltimore chapter American Jewish Committee.

Former member and chairman board trustees Baltimore Hebrew University. Honorary board directors Baltimore Neighborhoods. Fellow American College Trial Lawyers, (Maryland Fellows Lifetime Achievement award, 2006), American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, American College Trust and Estate Counsel, American Bar Foundation, Maryland Bar Foundation (chairman 1981-1983), Baltimore City Bar Foundation.

Member American Bar Association, American Law Institute, Maryland Bar Association(named Senior Lawyer of Year, 2008), Baltimore City Bar Association, American Jewish Congress, Baltimore Zionist District, B'nai B'rith, Phi Beta Kappa.

Connections

Married Judith Janet Konowitz, September 24, 1950. Children: David K., Rachel A. (deceased), Daniel E., Israel J.

Father:

Philip Louis Sykes

Mother:

Sara (Klein) Sykes

Spouse:

Judith Janet Konowitz

child:

David K. Sykes

child:

Rachel A. Sykes (deceased)

child:

Daniel E. Sykes

child:

Israel J. Sykes