Mary A. Akkerman

Mary A. Akkerman

South Dakota Trust and Estates Lawyer

My Story

Mary Akkerman practices in estate planning, including dynasty trusts, domestic asset protection trusts, estate and trust administration, guardianships and conservatorships, business and tax planning, estate and gift tax planning, tax appeals, and related litigation. She is skilled at establishing public and private trust companies in South Dakota and regularly works with U.S. and international families and advisors.

Mary is an American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) Fellow. She is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and Sioux Falls Estate Planning Council.

Mary has received an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, for the highest level of professional excellence for legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards. She has a Band 1 individual ranking in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide by Chambers and Partners in the area of Private Wealth Law, and is listed by Best Lawyers® in Trusts & Estates. Mary has also been ranked in the top 5% of practicing attorneys in South Dakota by Great Plains Super Lawyers in the areas of Estate Planning & Probate.

Position: Partner
Direct: 605-336-2880
Email: [email protected]

Mary A. Akkerman Super Lawyers 2021

Highlights

Best Lawyers® 2024 Recognizes 18 Davenport Evans Lawyers

Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP in Sioux Falls, SD is pleased to announce that 18 Davenport Evans lawyers were listed in Best Lawyers® 2024 for South Dakota, in 22 different practice areas. In addition, two Davenport Evans lawyers were named 2024 Best...

Best Lawyers® 2023 Recognizes 17 Davenport Evans Lawyers

Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP in Sioux Falls, SD is pleased to announce that 17 Davenport Evans lawyers were listed in Best Lawyers® 2023 for South Dakota, in 22 different practice areas. In addition, three Davenport Evans lawyers were named 2023 Best...

Akkerman to Present at Midwest/Midsouth Estate Planning Institute

Davenport Evans lawyer Mary A. Akkerman will be a speaker in the 2022 49th Annual Midwest-Midsouth Estate Planning Institute in Lexington, KY. Akkerman will present, “What Every Estate Planner Needs to Know About Gun Trusts,” on July 28. The 49th Annual...

Davenport Evans Welcomes Mary A. Akkerman

Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP is pleased to announce the addition of attorney Mary A. Akkerman to the firm. Mary Akkerman joined the firm in December and will become a partner in January 2021. Mary has 20 years of experience practicing law in estate...

Professional Experience

Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP
Partner: 2021 – present
Of Counsel: 2020

Ballard Spahr LLP
Woods, Fuller, Shultz & Smith, P.C.
Rider Bennett, L.L.P

Education

South Dakota State University
(B.A., 1994) 

South Dakota State University
(M.A., 1998) 

University of South Dakota School of Law
(J.D., 2001, with Sterling Honors)

Professional Memberships

American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
Sioux Falls Estate Planning Council
Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, TEP Member

Licensure

Admitted to Practice (State):
South Dakota, 2002
Minnesota, 2001
Iowa, 2013
Florida, 2015

Admitted to Practice (Federal):
Minnesota Supreme Court, 2001
South Dakota Supreme Court, 2002
United States District Court, District of Minnesota, 2002
United States Tax Court, 2002
United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, 2003
United States District Court, District of South Dakota, 2004
Iowa Supreme Court, 2013
United States District Court, Southern District of Iowa, 2014
Florida Supreme Court, 2015

Accomplishments

Protecting what you’ve built.

Phone Numbers

Driving Directions

Davenport Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP

206 West 14th Street
P.O. Box 1030
Sioux Falls, SD 57101-1030