1-877-581-3396
Managing Partner
Huntsville, Cullman, & Decatur, Alabama
Ronald (Ron) C. Sykstus is the managing partner of Bond, Botes, Sykstus, & Tanner P.C. in Huntsville, Alabama and Decatur, Alabama. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Ron enrolled at the University of Arizona in Tucson for his college education. While in college, he attended the U.S. Marine Corps’ Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia and, following completion, the U.S. Army offered Ron a full academic ROTC scholarship. Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army upon graduation, Mr. Sykstus was placed on educational delay by the U.S. Army in order to attend law school at the Northern Illinois University College of Law in Dekalb, Illinois. He graduated in 1987 with his Juris Doctorate degree. Mr. Sykstus then entered active duty as a Captain with the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps.
Ron served at Fort Bliss, Texas as the lead prosecutor for the 11th ADA Division and the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in El Paso, Texas where he prosecuted criminal cases in federal court. Ron was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) for his service at Fort Bliss.
Mr. Sykstus was subsequently stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama as the Senior Defense Counsel with the U.S. Army’s Trial Defense Service. There, he supervised an office of attorneys that handled all of the courts-martial and security clearance defense at both Fort McClellan, Alabama and Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. He and his office represented soldiers and officers before military administrative boards and courts-martial panels. Upon his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, Ron was awarded another Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) for his service throughout Alabama. Ron then joined the Bond and Botes team of lawyers and has been there ever since.
Education
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ – BA – Double major in Psychology and Political Science, 1984.
- U.S. Army ROTC Scholarship recipient
- Sigma Chi Fraternity member
- Order of Omega recipient.
Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant (2LT) by the U.S. Army upon graduation and placed on educational delay by the U.S. Army to attend law school
Northern Illinois University College of Law, Dekalb, IL – JD, 1987
- President, Moot Court Competition Board
- Commencement Speaker
Field Artillery Officer and Legal Advisor, F Troop, 106th Armored Cavalry – Illinois National Guard
Bar Admissions
Alabama
Illinois
Tennessee
Washington, D.C.
U.S. District Court: Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama
U.S. District Court: Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court: Middle and Eastern Districts of Tennessee
U.S. Army Court of Military Review
U.S. Court of Military Appeals
U.S. Tax Court
U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
U.S.11th Circuit Court of Appeals
Honors & Awards
AV Preeminent Rating – Martindale Hubbell
Mid-South and Alabama Super Lawyers
Board Certified in Consumer Bankruptcy Law by the American Board of Certification":
VA Accredited Attorney by the Department of Veterans Affairs
Memberships & Affiliations
NACBA – National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
NOVA – National Association of Veterans Advocates
NCMS – Society for Industrial Security Professionals – Mid-South Huntsville, AL chapter
NACA – National Association of Consumer Advocates – Alabama state co-chair
Publications
“Bankruptcy – We Wrote the Book on It” – author:
“Security Clearance Issues, Problems, Denials and Revocations” – author
“Navigating Legal Issues for Military Veterans” – co-author
“Best Practices for Filing Chapter 13” – co-author
“Chapter 7 Commercial Bankruptcy Strategies” – co-author
Podcast: “Next Lawyer Up” podcast – host
Legal Seminars & Presentations – Speaker
| Conference Name | Title | Date |
| National Association of Chapter 13 Trustees | Security Clearance Issues for Debtors in Bankruptcy | 2019 |
| Huntsville Madison County Bar Association Lunch and Learn – June 2018 | Security Clearance REvocations and Denials | 2018 |
| 36th Annual Bankruptcy Law Update | Security Clearance Issues for Debtors in Bankruptcy | 2017 |
| People’s Law School | Security Clearance Revocations and Denials | 2016 |
| Chapter 13 Trustee CLE Seminar | Security Clearances and Bankruptcy | 2016 |
| 24th Annual National Convention – San Francisco, CA | Security Clearance Issues for Debtors in Bankruptcy | 2016 |
| NCMS – Society of Industrial Security Professionals | Defending Against Security Clearance Revocations | 2015 |
| National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys Webinar | When Bankruptcy and Security Clearances Collide | 2015 |
| Bradford Health Services | Defending Against Security Clearance Revocations | 2015 |
| University of Alabama School of Law – Tuscaloosa, Alabama | The Practice of Consumer Law | 2014 |
| Home Ownership and Fair Housing Seminar | Credit Report Issues under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) | 2013 |
| Madison County Volunteer Lawyers Program Consumer Law Symposium | Consumer Law – Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and Fair Credit Reporting Act cases | 2012 |
| Military Law Symposium – Huntsville-Madison County Bar | VA Disability Claims for Veterans | 2011 |
| NAACP/Huntsville Home Ownership and Foreclosure Prevention Workshop | Bankruptcy Process and Foreclosure Prevention | 2010 |
| People’s Law School | Defending against Security Clearance Revocations | 2009 |
| NAACP/Huntsville Home Ownership and Foreclosure Prevention Workshop | Bankruptcy Process and Foreclosure Prevention | 2009 |
| People’s Law School | Bankruptcy and Consumer Law | 2008 |
| NASHRM Security Clearance Experts Symposium | What to do when a Security Clearance doesn’t go through or is revoked? | 2007 |
| Bankruptcy Law Update: Keeping Your Client Afloat | Alabama Landlord/Tenant Act | 2007 |
Local Charity Participation
NOMA (Not One More Alabama) – Legal Counsel and Volunteer
MCVLP (Madison County Volunteer Lawyers Program) – Volunteer
Favorite Local Restaurant
Rosie’s on South Parkway, Huntsville, AL
By the way, from my younger years growing up in Chicago, please take this advice: If you can find Home Run Inn pizza in the frozen section of your grocery store (Publix, for instance), buy it! I promise you won’t regret it as this is a top five Chicago pizza!
Favorite Music
Bruce Springsteen. His music has been the soundtrack to my life.
What I like best about my job
Our work usually has an immediate and long lasting positive impact on our clients and their lives and families. I love the people that I work with and I also find that I end up often becoming good friends with many of my clients, which is a surprising side benefit of the type of work we do.
Client Testimonials
Wonderful Bankruptcy and Military Lawyer
Posted by anonymous
April 19, 2022
Ron met with me and handled my military and financial case even though it was during the holiday week. He has a wealth of experience and provided advice on issue I would not have thought to ask about. My case was ultimately successful thanks to him. I highly recommend him and will use him again in the future.
Huge help throughout the security clearance process
Posted by anonymous
April 17, 2022
Ron was a fantastic guide throughout the security clearance application process. He read through my answers, helped me prepare for the interview, and answered all my questions about the process. He responds to emails so quickly. He also knows the security clearance process like the back of his hand. He is so professional, speedy, and knowledgeable. Highly recommend!
Excellent Advice and Very Friendly Expertise; Highly Recommended Professional
Posted by anonymous
February 6, 2022
He provided excellent advice and very friendly expertise. I highly recommend this professional. His service and expertise was very straightforward and the price to consult him was extremely affordable. This gentleman is very friendly and easy to work with; his advice and proofreading is priceless!
Ron Sykstus Restored Order in Our Lives
Posted by Ed and Jan
We had devolved into a desperate financial situation facing adverse legal actions that would permanently and irrevocably ruin the remaining course of our lives. Facing that certainty, we sought counsel from several attorneys. In each case we were clinically and impersonally handed a photocopied workbook [in some cases through a pass-through window] and sent on our way to fill it out. We felt like cattle being prepped for the processing plant. That was the case until, after months of searching, I had the good fortune to hear of Bond, Botes and Sykstus. We called and an appointment was granted not only immediately, but cheerfully. We were courteously guided to Ron’s office and greeted with a vigorous handshake and a warm engaging smile. We were instantly put at ease. Ron listened intently and posed thoughtful relevant questions regarding our situation. After listening he then, both personally and professionally, and with questions focusing the issues, reasoned though potential scenarios, weighing the pros and cons of each for us. I was most surprised how quickly he took ahold of the situation and had intelligent, reasonable solutions to offer. He empathetically assisted us in determining the necessary data collection and input. Our ability to handle the load was quickly determined and we were guided through the process of selecting the most appropriate remedy; and, when chosen, it was initiated immediately. The inevitable multi-year process was a grind, but Ron kept his hand on the helm and maneuvered us through the “storms” along the way, always personally and with a smile and good wish. All culminated in a timely discharge, a full restoration to normalcy and a return for us to the path of life, refreshed and able to resume fully enjoying the wealth of family, the joys of our children and grandchildren as well as the greater purposes that accompany. We were blessed in meeting this man, Ron Sykstus, and are most grateful for his keen intelligence, extraordinary talents and abilities and now; most especially for his continuing friendship. He is a credit to mankind and lends credit and class to the term “Attorney”. Ed and Jan
Successful Security Clearance Client of Ron Sykstus
Posted by Anonymous
I hired Mr. Ron Sykstus to represent me for a hearing to keep my security clearance. Mr. Sykstus was courteous, responsive, thoughtful, and extremely knowledgeable. However, above this, Mr. Sykstus sincerely cared about my hearing and its impact on my career. When he contacted me that my clearance was granted, Mr. Sykstus was genuinely glad that this hearing worked out in my favor. I believe that it is Mr. Sykstus’s sincere commitment to his clients in combination with his professionalism that ensures the best representation one would hope for.
One of the most experienced Attorneys for security clearance cases
Posted by Richard
I had a security clearance case, which was very important for my career and my family, I was fortunate to meet Attorney Ronald Sykstus as he was able to put me on the right path after my first interview with him, he then arranged for my hearing, studied my case very carefully and with confidence and professionalism arranged all the keys for the success of my case, he demonstrated a lot of knowledge, confidence, sincerity and experience during my hearing which turn it into success.
I was very fortunate he represented me and was able to get my security clearance granted which was very important for my career and family.
Security Clearance Granted!
Posted by Charles
Hiring Ron was the smartest thing my family and I done. He was recommended to me by a local defense attorney, by saying this is the person that can get you through the Department of Defense clearance nightmare.
At first I questioned the amount of money needed to hire Ron, but after attempting to deal with this on my own, I realized this man has a gift and expertise like no other. He was compassionate to my situation, he listened and was dedicated to see me and my family through this. He knows how to work through the red tape bureaucracy. He made the process easy for me, he was professional and stayed in constant contact with me throughout the entire ordeal. Ron got my family back their livelihood, without him we would have lost everything.
As defense contractor, having a top secret clearance is required for me to do my job, without it I am no longer unemployable and would have to find another way to provide for my family.
If anyone reading this has any question of whether its worth paying the money and hiring Ron, let me assure you, IT’S WORTH EVERY PENNY! RON SAVED ME AND MY FAMILY!
Taking care of business
Posted by anonymous
I started my va claims on my own with no results,Ron had helped me with my bankruptcy case and I remembered he also handled Va cases.Once Ron started my case I felt at ease,because he told me we’ll handle everything and they did, right now I’m at 100%, you can’t ask for any better help and someone that cares
The best in his field
Posted by Dee
I needed an attorney recently. Ron answered all of my questions and met with me to decide a course of action. He was personable and very knowledgeable. He successfully settled my case in our favor. I was very pleased with every consultation we had from start to finish. Ron handled every detail with excellence and precision. I couldn’t have managed without him, and I have utilized his expertise on more occasions because of the great experience he provided. He is highly recommended and the only attorney we use.
Ron Comes Through For You
Posted by anonymous
In applying for a security clearance, a situation from 30 years ago became a potential issue. Ron provided clear, expert guidance when I needed it most. He was available in a very timely way and guided me through what could have been a very stressful time. Ron is five stars all the way. I couldn’t have asked for a better attorney.
Great Lawyer!
Posted by anonymous
I was so glad I found and hired Ron for my lawyer. I was really quite surprised at the fast helpful and professional service he provided. I have never dealt with anyone that was so quick and responsive to any and all questions. Ron restored my faith in humanity by his caring and honest service that really made a big difference. I will be forever thankful for all that he did to help me.
V.A. help
Posted by Shawn
After being disabled through the military, I spent YEARS trying to get my disability. After getting multiple denials, I finally had to get a lawyer to help. The V.A. seemed to do everything they could to make things as hard on me as possible, and even took 7 years to even get me a hearing scheduled for my case. Without Mr.Sykstus, I would have given up years ago, but he was ALWAYS there to encourage me, and help me stay strong for my family. Mr.Sykstus was more than just a layer but a friend. Without him, I KNOW I would have never made it through. Thanks to him, I won my case, and can finally provide for my family.
SECURITY CLEARANCE REVOCATION REVERSED!!!
Posted by Deshun
Ron Sykstus is a professional and caring attorney. My process of appeal took close to three years from start to finish and during the entire time Ron Sykstus was helpful and attentive to my needs. Due to distance, I was unable to visit with Attorney Sykstus in-person so all of our case communication and preparations were conducted either by phone or email. Even though our communication means where limited to email or phone by no means subtracted from his exemplary service. Ron displayed expert knowledge of the security clearance revocation process and presented me with a specific plan of attack he thought would be successful. As I stated before this process took close to three years so I was surprised that he kept in touch with me over the long waiting period. It showed me he truly cared about me and my situation and I was not just another case file. In preparation for my hearing, Ron coordinated with me and my witnesses and prepared them for the final hearing before the Administrative Law Judge. At this time he had a torn rotator cuff but it did not deter him from advocating on my behalf. Ron appeared at my final hearing with his arm in a sling, giving the argument of my life and we WON. He won my case and I am now back to work at full duty capacity. Attorney Ron Sykstus is a great attorney and I would recommend him to anyone with a security clearance issue.
Best Bankruptcy Lawyer in the South!
Posted by John
He was tactful and helped me through this whole ordeal. If I fell behind on a payment we had the patience to help me on that as well. After talking to other people who have gone through this, I have heard how some lawyers try to take advantage of their clients in these tough times. Ron was nothing but understanding and I highly recommend him to anyone seeking a bankruptcy or needing advice on one.
Security Clearance GRANTED
Posted by Tim
As soon as my wife received her Statement of Reasons explaining that her clearance re-investigation was being denied based on guideline F, I began performing an extensive amount of research on who to hire to represent her. I talked to at least 10 other offices before getting a chance to speak with Ron. I knew immediately that he was who we would be hiring. He is very clear and concise from the beginning but also seemed to be way more knowledgeable and reassuring than any of the others. He performed as he said he would throughout the entire process. He was able to get the hearing canceled and have her clearance granted a week before the hearing was to take place and we couldn’t be any happier.
People’s Law School – Security Clearance Defense, Part 1
People’s Law School – Security Clearance and Consumer Law, Part 2
Nomberg Law Live: Ron Sykstus
Office Locations
Bond, Botes, Sykstus, & Tanner P.C.
605 Bank Street
Decatur, AL 35601
Tel: 1-877-581-3396
Fax: 256.355.6539
Bond, Botes, Sykstus, & Tanner P.C.
225 Pratt Avenue Northeast
Huntsville, AL 35801
Tel: 1-877-581-3396
Fax: 256.539.9895
