M. Catherine Fanello

Catherine Fanello provides counsel and representation in the areas of taxable and tax-exempt bond financings, including federal tax and securities law, and general municipal and governmental law matters. 

Catherine serves as bond counsel for various municipal units of government in Indiana, including counties, cities, towns, townships, regional districts and special taxing districts, advising clients on general obligation bonds, tax increment financings, economic development projects, utility financings, and other governmental project financings.  Catherine also serves as underwriter’s counsel and placement counsel on public financings.

Ms. Fanello also holds a license as a certified public accountant (CPA).

Prior to joining Krieg DeVault, Ms. Fanello's professional experience includes working as an attorney for a South Bend law firm where she represented a St. Joseph County township before the Indiana Tax Court in connection with a property tax shortfall appeal, and served as second chair to a St. Joseph County Deputy Attorney regarding county employment, civil rights, and tort claim matters. Her experience also includes over 12 years in public accounting and public finance. She previously served as a Finance Officer and Deputy Controller for the City of Evansville, as a Vanderburgh County Commissioner, and as City Controller for the City of South Bend.

Board Membership

• St. Joseph County Election Board, Member

Professional Associations

• National Association of Bond Lawyers, Member
• Executive Women in Finance, Member
• Indiana Women in Public Finance, Board Member
• Indiana State Bar Association, Member
• Illinois State Bar Association, Member
• St. Joseph County Bar Association, Member
• American Bar Association, Member
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Member

Awards Recognitions

• Best Lawyers In America©, Ones to Watch in Municipal Law, 2021
• Indiana Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2017-2019

Education

• J.D., Valparaiso University School of Law, Valparaiso, Indiana, 2011
• B.S. in Accounting, University of Southern Indiana, Evansville, Indiana, 1995

Bar & Court Admissions

• Indiana (2011)
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana (2011)
• Illinois (2012)
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (2014)

Practices

• Public and Municipal Finance
• Economic Development
• Municipal and Governmental Law
• New Markets Tax Credits
• Fraternities and Sororities
• K-12 Education
• Municipal and Governmental Litigation

Industries

• Education and School Law
• Government