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]
Practice Areas
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...
Larson, Akkerman, Donohue, Prendergast Top-Ranked in 2022 Chambers High Net Worth Guide
Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP has again received a top ranking in Chambers High Net Worth 2022 in the area of Private Wealth Law. Objective, independent and research-based, the Chambers High Net Worth guide recognized the world’s leading high net worth...
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...
12 Davenport Evans Lawyers Named by Great Plains Super Lawyers, Three Named “Rising Stars”
Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP is pleased to announce selection of the following Davenport Evans lawyers to the 2021 edition of Great Plains Super Lawyers. Attorneys selected were ranked in the top 5% of practicing attorneys in South Dakota. Selected to...
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
Direct: (605) 336-2880
Dehs: (605) 336-2880
Driving Directions
Davenport Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP
206 West 14th Street
P.O. Box 1030
Sioux Falls, SD 57101-1030