After 23 years, Krieg DeVault names new managing partner

For the first time in more than 20 years, there’s a new leader of Krieg DeVault LLP.

Deborah J. Daniels has been elected managing partner and will begin a three-year term effective Jan. 1, the Indianapolis-based law firm announced Friday morning.

Deborah J. Daniels.

Daniels succeeds longtime managing partner Michael E. Williams, who has been at the helm since 1991. He informed partners earlier in the year that he would not seek another term but would continue to serve some of the firm’s largest clients.

With 99 lawyers locally, Krieg DeVault ranks as Indianapolis’ fourth-largest law firm, according to IBJ statistics.

During Williams’ tenure, Krieg DeVault has grown from about 35 to 130 lawyers in five Indiana offices, in addition to two in Florida and locations in Chicago, Atlanta and Minneapolis.

“It has been my highest honor to lead Krieg DeVault for 24 years,” Williams said in a prepared statement. "Every organization benefits from vibrant new leadership and the time was right for me to turn the reins over to Deborah.”

Daniels joined Krieg DeVault nearly 15 years ago and represents private- and public-sector clients in matters involving internal investigations, homeland security, disaster preparedness, strategic planning and federal and state regulatory compliance.

She is a former U.S. attorney and former U.S. assistant attorney general. While at the Justice Department, she managed a $4.2 billion budget and was directly involved in the nation’s response to the terrorist attacks on 9/11.

Daniels is a director of the United Way of Central Indiana, Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee (immediate past chair), Health and Hospital Corp. of Marion County and the Economic Club of Indiana (immediate past president). She is the younger sister of former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels.