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John Mark Wilka
Data reflects the status as of the most recent database update. We generally conduct data reviews and updates on a
monthly schedule.
4.5
Avvo rating
6 Reviews
Top review highlights
AI generated excerpts from the customers reviews
Pros
1
Lawyer's responsiveness and helpfulness in providing information
“Quick response. Information was very helpful. John was very knowledgeable about the question I was inquiring about.”
2
Lawyer's ability to achieve favorable outcomes for clients
“I am so grateful for having John and his team he got my dui dropped,a felony ingestion charge not picked up and got me a suspended imp. For pocession of marijuana charge thank you so much I can finally move on with my life highly highly recommend him!!!”
3
Lawyer's approachability and professionalism
“He came and visited me at the jail soon after he was hired. Was very polite, friendly and professional.”
Cons
1
Perceived lack of effort and preparation in the case
“He didnt say what the problems were or anything about possible defense. He just figured me guilty and needing a good deal.”
2
Lack of communication and responsiveness from the lawyer
“I patiently waited in jail for news from John. I wrote him numerous letters with more information I remembered that I thought could be helpful and asked him what was happening but no response.”
3
Unexpected changes to the plea deal
“So, John lied to me twice, never intended from the get-go to try and fight for me in court, went months without any response to my letters and when he did visit the two times probably were less than 1 hour together.”
All reviews
05 Jan, 2021 by Anonymous
A public defender would have done just as much, if not more, helping me with and defending my case for probably less than $1000 instead of the $10,000 +tax that I paid John. He came and visited me at the jail soon after he was hired. Was very polite, friendly and professional. Talked alot about his experience at trial and cases won. Then he finally asked about my case and after telling him everything I could, all he said was, "Well, there are some problems with the State's case against you and I will use that to see what kind of deal I can get you". He didnt say what the problems were or anything about possible defense. He just figured me guilty and needing a good deal. That meeting lasted a half hour maybe. I patiently waited in jail for news from John. I wrote him numerous letters with more information I remembered that I thought could be helpful and asked him what was happening but no response. I think it was 9 or 10 months before John shows up and says if I plead guilty to one felony count they will drop the 14 other counts against me and cap my sentence at 5 years. My charge carried a maximum of 10 so I specifically asked if they might try to be sneaky and tack on an extra 5 years suspended to that 5 year cap and he said "no, it's a 5 year cap". So I told him I'd do it then ^ then another 5 months goes by and when I finally go to court to plea, my plea deal magically changed from a cap of 5 on one count to 3 counts alltogether and all time would be suspended on counts 2 & 3. I told John I didnt feel right and was worried about all that suspended time he said I wouldnt get. He told me not to worry about it and that since they reneged on the plea deal that I didnt have to take it but then he would have to start all over. It had been over a year and I wasnt going to sit in Jail another year waiting for him to lie to me about another plea deal. At my sentencing I got the 5 years PLUS 5 more suspended on count one an additional 10 years suspended on each of the other two counts which weren't even supposed to be part of it. So, John lied to me twice, never intended from the get-go to try and fight for me in court, went months without any response to my letters and when he did visit the two times probably were less than 1 hour together. Two court dates which would be an hour(rounded up) each. One hour(rounded up) talking on the phone with my Father. And I highly doubt any more than a half hour negotiating a deal I never got. So, for $10,000+tax I got 4 1/2 hours work(if you can even call it that). The only reason I'm giving two stars instead of one is because I was originally looking at 150 years alltogether and ended up doing 2, most of which was in county not knowing what was going on but the outcome could have been way worse. And because the first two attorneys we called wanted $20,000. So John was half price. But I guess you get what you pay for and in this case, I think that was as little as possible. Nothing more than what a public defender would do and maybe even less. I would suggest getting a public defender. Sure they might be somewhat inexperienced and have a high case load but they respond to letters and visit whenever needed. They are always around. And, for less than $1000 attorney fees (if found guilty) you probably get the same amount of effort, possibly more attention(wouldnt take a whole lot) and probably the same exact outcome in the end so I wouldnt waste your money. Put it in a savings account and have a nice head start at getting your feet back on the ground and to a new & better life once you get out of jail.
31 Jul, 2019 by Anonymous
He helped me and got the outcome that I was looking for. I felt he was easy to understand and to talk to and that's important and the way he talked with the judge was very open and honest.
04 Mar, 2019 by Anonymous
I am so grateful for having John and his team he got my dui dropped,a felony ingestion charge not picked up and got me a suspended imp. For pocession of marijuana charge thank you so much I can finally move on with my life highly highly recommend him!!!
21 Sep, 2018 by Anonymous
Flawlessly took care of my DUI, one time payment, John took care of everything with no issues! Highly recommend using John!!
24 Mar, 2018 by Anonymous
Quick response. Information was very helpful. John was very knowledgeable about the question I was inquiring about.
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Best lawyers in Sioux Falls, SD
21 Feb, 2022 by Salah
I reached out to Michael at O'Leary Law Office when I needed consultation work for my small business. I received prompt responses to my inquiries, and i was very confident in his knowledge and feedback relating to the clarifications he suggested to my company contracts. I had a very positive experience with O'Leary Law Office and will be calling Michael in the future for my small business needs."
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10 Dec, 2020 by Darla
I had an unusual Civil case and Mr. O'Leary was very thorough in going through all the possibilities.
My late husband and I have seen our share of attorneys that put in the least amount of effort, but Mr. O'Leary was easy to reach and always responsive.
I don't often take the time to write reviews, but Mr. O'Leary was worth my time and effort.
I highly recommend his counsel!
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04 Dec, 2020 by David
Mr O'Leary helped me advance my business needs with some great advice. Was always there when needed and willing to help in any way possible. If you need a lawyer that will go the extra mile I would highly recommend you give him a call.
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16 May, 2017 by Anonymous
We were looking to move our trust from California to our new domicile state of South Dakota.
Our California attorney was not able to make a recommendation so we found Ms Akkerman through an AVVO search. We chose her because of her specialty in estate planning and her location in Sioux Falls which is near our domicile address.
We met with her yesterday and provided all the documents from our original trust (now 10 years old).
Besides our home changing there have been other changes that were not foreseen ten years ago and Mary Akkerman was very helpful in suggesting changes that would provide for our current family but also allow for additional heirs (grandchildren).
She is very knowledgeable of other state probate laws and was able to make suggestions that would not have been considered when we lived in California.
She advised that our current wills and limited powers of attorney were sufficient for all states and did not need to be rewritten. this saves quite a bit and since there was little to be changed in the trust we were quoted a very reasonable charge.
We are delighted with Mary Akkerman's ability and integrity. We would highly recommend.
In fact, we gave her name to our California attorney in case she is ever asked again for a South Dakota estate planning attorney.
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29 Sep, 2016 by Anonymous
Jordan delivered an incorporated entity to specification ahead of our 2-week transaction deadline. On this time-sensitive engagement, Jordan was highly responsive and on-point. He pulled together corporate, tax, and estate expertise to address our needs efficiently. Older firms would have scheduled 3 partners on long calls; Lindquist delivered on-time with a single point of contact.
Detailed requests (the proverbial brown M&M's) were almost all met accurately on first request, with nits remedied within hours of mention.
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29 Jun, 2016 by Michael
Jordan is first class and extremely intelligent. The knowledge he has brought to my estate planning and trust is nothing short of amazing. I would recommend Jordan to anyone as my experience as been great with him and his firm.
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22 Jun, 2016 by John
Jordan was insturmental in the design and implementation of our requested business entities with accompanying bifurcated trust. His work was always timely and very accurate. His legal advice has always been "spot on" and always very professional. He has been a pleasure to work with on all matters of our engagement.
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