David T. Sykes, 72, lawyer and civic leader

David T. Sykes, 72, of Gladwyne, a bankruptcy lawyer who spent his career with Duane Morris L.L.P., died Monday of cancer at Penn Hospice at Rittenhouse.

Mr. Sykes was managing partner of Duane Morris from 1994 to 1997 and served as its vice chairman from 1998 to 2004.

Described as one of the "deans of the Pennsylvania bar" by Chambers USA: Guide to America's Leading Business Lawyers, Mr. Sykes lectured and wrote extensively on legal topics and was a widely known civic figure, serving as chairman of the Committee of Seventy, the nonpartisan political watchdog group.

"I am profoundly saddened by Dave Sykes' death," said John J. Soroko, chairman of Duane Morris. "He was a brilliant lawyer, a role model for many of the current generation of leaders in bankruptcy and in the law generally, both inside and outside of Duane Morris, and a great friend to all who had the privilege to know and work with him."

Mr. Sykes was listed in the The Best Lawyers in America for 20 years and was ranked in a poll by Philadelphia Magazine as one of the top 100 lawyers in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania.

A charter fellow and past president of the American College of Bankruptcy, he received the college's Distinguished Service Award in March 2008. He also was a fellow of the American College of Investment Counsel and the American Bar Association, where he chaired numerous committees.

Among the many people paying tribute to Mr. Sykes was Marjorie O. Rendell, a former Duane Morris partner and now a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

"They don't come any better than Dave Sykes - in terms of human being, lawyer, leader, teacher, mentor, friend, motivator, visionary," said Rendell, who is married to Pennsylvania's governor.

Mr. Sykes, a golfer and skier, was born in Philadelphia and graduated from Hamilton College and Temple University School of Law, and was active in alumni affairs for both over the years. He also served as a Navy lieutenant aboard the Springfield.

Mr. Sykes enjoyed playing golf at the Philadelphia Cricket Club, Stonewall Golf Links, and Sunnybrook Golf Club, and took many family ski trips to Vermont and Colorado.

He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Elaine Ward Sykes; sons David G. and Matthew, who are also the children of Marzy Sykes; and five grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 22 E. Chestnut Hill Ave., Chestnut Hill.

Memorial donations may be sent to Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia 19111.