Donald J. Smith

Partner
Office: Indianapolis
dsmith@kdlegal.com
p: 317-238-6231
f: 317-636-1507

Don Smith is a Partner in Krieg DeVault's Real Estate and Environmental Practice. Mr. Smith represents his real estate clients — local and national — in all aspects of real estate development, handling projects from “dirt to disposition.” He has also represented both tenants and landlords in commercial leasing transactions and litigation. Additionally, Don represents lenders on construction and permanent real estate financing as well as commercial lending.

Don acts as outside general counsel for many of his small business clients, advising them on all legal aspects of their businesses, including succession and estate planning.

Don is a graduate of North Central High School and Indiana University. He returned to Indianapolis after graduating cum laude from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University in 2003 where he was an Executive Editor of the Cleveland State Law Review.

Experience

Professional Associations

Member, American Bar Association
Member, Indiana State Bar Association
Member, Indianapolis Bar Association
Member, International Council of Shopping Centers

Civic Involvement

Former Board of Directors, Indianapolis Symphonic Choir

Awards & Recognitions

Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating Legal Ability & Ethical Standards 2019 – present
Super Lawyers® Rising Star, 2014
U.S. News Best Lawyers in America: Real Estate Law, 2022

Credentials

Education

J.D., cum laude, Cleveland State University, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, 2003
B.A. in History & Political Science (double major), Indiana University, College of Arts and Sciences, 1995

Bar & Court Admissions

Indiana, 2003

Practices & Industries

Practices

Industries

Beyond the Office

Golf

Cooking

Travel

Insights

Real Estate

Steven M. Sherman Joins Krieg DeVault’s Real Estate and Environmental Practice; will Focus in the Areas of Energy and Public Utilities

November 30, 2023

Secured Lender

13 Krieg DeVault Attorneys Recognized by 2023 Best Lawyers®; 7 Named to the 2023 Best Lawyers in America® Listing; 1 Receives “Lawyer of the Year” Designation; 6 Receive “Ones to Watch” Designation

August 18, 2022

Firm News and Events

Krieg DeVault Partners John B. Baxter and Robert A. Greising Named to Chambers USA 2022 List; Firm Named to Chambers USA 2022 List for Real Estate

June 22, 2022

Firm News and Events

Owners / GCs / Subs / Suppliers / Lessors – Check Your Contracts. Court of Appeals Decision Highlights Challenges when Dispute Resolution Process Varies

August 25, 2022

Litigation

Known By the Successful Company We Keep® - Krieg DeVault Issues Annual Ad Showcasing Transactions from Many of Our Valued and Successful Clients

January 30, 2023

Secured Lender

FinCEN Issues Final Rule for Beneficial Ownership Reporting to Support Law Enforcement Efforts, Counter Illicit Finance, and Increase Transparency

November 8, 2022

Firm News and Events

Partner C. Daniel Motsinger Named a 2022 Illinois Super Lawyer; Alexander E. Porter Named a 2022 Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Star

January 31, 2022

Secured Lender

Real Estate Partner David Adams shares his insights with Midwest Real Estate News regarding the Indianapolis' commercial real estate market

January 16, 2020

Thought Leadership

Finding Elements of Adverse Possession Unmet, Record Owner Awarded Real Estate

October 30, 2019

Firm News and Events

Julie A. Carpenter Selected for "Professionalism Award" from the IBA

October 14, 2019

Firm News and Events

Seventh Circuit Confirms that under Illinois law, Reference in Financing Statement to Parties' Security Agreement is Sufficient to Perfect Secured Creditor's Lien on Debtor's Collateral Described in Security Agreement

September 29, 2019

Firm News and Events

Don acts as outside general counsel for many of his small business clients, advising them on all legal aspects of their businesses, including succession and estate planning.

Professional Associations

Member, American Bar Association
Member, Indiana State Bar Association
Member, Indianapolis Bar Association
Member, International Council of Shopping Centers

Civic Involvement

Former Board of Directors, Indianapolis Symphonic Choir

Awards & Recognitions

Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating Legal Ability & Ethical Standards 2019 – present
Super Lawyers® Rising Star, 2014
U.S. News Best Lawyers in America: Real Estate Law, 2022

Education

J.D., cum laude, Cleveland State University, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, 2003
B.A. in History & Political Science (double major), Indiana University, College of Arts and Sciences, 1995

Bar & Court Admissions

Indiana, 2003