John F. Archer

John F. Archer is a partner and founding partner of Hagen, Wilka & Archer in Sioux Falls. His practice covers corporate and real estate law, securities, mergers and acquisitions, franchise law, title insurance, contracts, and general business law matters. He also assists South Dakota developers with federal tax credits and incentives used in private-equity-supported low-income housing projects, combining transactional work with knowledge of securities and real estate regulation.

John received a B.A. from Augustana College in 1974 and a J.D. from the University of South Dakota in 1977, and he also attended American University. After law school, he served as a law clerk to South Dakota Supreme Court Justice Robert E. Morgan from 1977 to 1978. His education and clerkship experience provided a foundation for a transactional and regulatory practice involving business, real estate, and securities matters.

John served as Director of the South Dakota Division of Securities from 1978 to 1983, giving him direct regulatory experience that informs his private practice. He advises clients on acquisitions, sales and exchanges, corporate organization, securities law, commercial real estate, mergers and acquisitions, franchise law, nonprofit organizations, title insurance, and low-income housing tax credit syndications. His work often requires coordinating business objectives with state and federal regulatory requirements.

John F. Archer is admitted in South Dakota and before the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota and is a member of the State Bar of South Dakota and the American Bar Association. His combination of regulatory service and private transactional practice helps clients structure deals, navigate securities and real estate requirements, and address business projects with a practical understanding of both commercial goals and compliance obligations.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Hagen, Wilka & Archer, LLP
• Member, State Bar of South Dakota
• Member, American Bar Association

Licensed State

• South Dakota

Education

• University of South Dakota
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Augustana College
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges