Messaglia named managing partner at Krieg DeVault

Michael Messaglia has been tapped to be the managing partner of Krieg DeVault LLP, where he began his legal career as an associate in 1993.

He succeeds Deborah Daniels, who will remain with the firm as a partner. Daniels had served as managing partner since 2015.

“I am humbled to be elected by the partners to serve as managing partner of this great firm,” Messaglia said. “I remain dedicated to the firm’s long-standing commitment to our clients, colleagues and communities we serve.”

A corporate and banking attorney, Messaglia has been involved in many of the firm’s largest, and most notable, merger and acquisition transactions involving both public and private companies.

Recently, he was lead counsel to Evansville-based Old National Bancorp’s acquisition of Anchor Bancorp, Inc. in Minnesota. Also, he has served as issuer’s counsel in public and private offerings of securities, including Merchants Bancorp’s recent initial public offering. He also has advised financial institutions on corporate, bank regulatory and enforcement matters.

Messaglia has held several leadership positions within Krieg DeVault. He was the longtime leader of the firm’s financial institutions practice and served as a member of the firm’s executive committee, a group that he will now lead.

“I welcome both the challenge and privilege of leading our esteemed law firm and to use the same founding principles that have been our foundation for more than 140 years,” Messaglia said.

Messaglia received his B.B.A. in accountancy and his J.D. from the University of Notre Dame.

Daniels, who served as managing partner for three years, will provide counsel to the firm’s public and private clients in matters of regulatory compliance as well as internal investigations. As the author of the 2017 report for USA Gymnastics recommending multiple improvements in the organization’s protection of athletes in the aftermath of a sex-abuse scandal, she will focus her practice significantly on sexual harassment and sexual abuse internal investigations and policy formation.

“I am very pleased with the election of Mike Messaglia, whose leadership abilities, impressive financial background and commitment to Krieg DeVault make him a natural fit for the continued growth and success of our firm,” said Daniels.

Krieg DeVault is a business-focused law firm with offices in Indiana, Illinois, Georgia and Florida.

The firm is currently defending a lawsuit over compensation filed by three former partners. A trial has been scheduled for June but last month, Marion Superior Judge Heather Welch heard oral arguments on the parties’ dueling motions for summary judgement. A decision is expected to be issued in mid-February.