Meet Diane Sykes

For nearly three decades, I have dedicated my legal career to advocating for fairness, accountability, and equal access to justice for all Oregonians. My experience spans nearly every corner of the legal system - as a public defender, Legal Aid lawyer and attorney in private practice. My work has given me a broad perspective on the challenges that people face when they come before the courts.

I began my career as a public defender, where I gained extensive courtroom and trial experience. I later spent a decade as a Legal Aid attorney, helping low-income Oregonians navigate some of life's most difficult challenges, including housing instability, domestic violence, employment disputes, consumer protection matters, and access to public benefits.

In 2009, I joined the Oregon Department of Justice as a Senior Assistant Attorney General to build and lead the agency's first Civil Rights Unit. In that role, I worked to protect the civil rights and civil liberties of Oregonians by enforcing fair housing laws, combating consumer scams targeting vulnerable communities, and defending employment protections for veterans and service members.

In 2013, I founded my own law practice, where I continue to advocate for workers, consumers, and underserved communities. As a bilingual attorney who is fluent in Spanish, I have worked to make legal services more accessible and help clients navigate the legal system with confidence and dignity.

Justice is not only about legal outcomes - it is about ensuring people feel respected and understood. The courtroom can be daunting, especially for those encountering it for the first time. My career has been guided by a simple principle: every person deserves to be treated with respect, every voice deserves to be heard, and everyone should have meaningful access to justice.