George C. Lepeniotis

Partner
Office: South Bend / Mishawaka
glepeniotis@kdlegal.com
p: 574-485-2008
f: 574-277-1201

George Lepeniotis serves as the firm’s Executive Partner of the North Central Indiana Regional Office, as well as on the firm's five-member Executive Committee. He is a member of the firm’s Business Practice and the Commercial Real Estate Lending Practice. He concentrates his practice in the areas of corporate and business law, mergers and acquisitions, banking and lending, real estate, and construction and contracts law. George has experience with the real estate, development and financing aspects of energy projects, including wind and solar developments. He also has significant experience in litigation and trial work. George helps corporate, municipal, institutional, banking and health care clients navigate a variety of legal matters and transactions.

In addition to his work at the firm, George is co-host of WNIT’s Economic Outlook where he travels throughout the Michiana area to bring viewers news, stories and insights on topics shaping the regions economy. George is also a member of the Board for the Bridgman Foundation for Educational Excellence and on the Advisory Board for the South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce. George is the host of the Krieg DeVault Podcast Series where he and the firm's attorneys explore legal topics and issues relevant to our clients.

Experience

Representative Experience

Served as counsel in the transition of numerous medical and dental facilities
Served as counsel in numerous commercial real estate transactions involving zoning, assessment, title, environmental and government incentives issues
Served as counsel in the sale, transfer and merger of multiple small to mid-sized closely held corporations
Advised corporate clients on various business and legal matters including contracts, administrative law, regulatory procedures and employment law matters
Participated in over 20 bench and jury trials in both first and second chair with exceedingly favorable verdicts on client’s behalf
Litigation practice experience includes discovery, motion practice, trials, alternative dispute resolution, complex corporate negotiations, appellate work, legal research and writing, and pre-trial preparation
Represents corporate, individual, institutional, and municipal clients in both Indiana and Michigan

Professional Associations

Member, American Bar Association
Member, Indiana State Bar Association
Member, St. Joseph County Bar Association
Board of Directors and Member, Robert A. Grant American Inn of Court
Member, State Bar of Michigan
Member, Berrien County Bar Association

Awards & Recognitions

Indiana Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2023

Seminars & Presentations

Publications

Co-Author, "Tips for Negotiating Supply Agreement Terms and Conditions in an Uncertain World," September 27, 2023
Co-Author, "Three Minute Update - Positioning for the Future: Non-Profits and Real Estate," January 10, 2023

Credentials

Education

J.D., Chicago Kent College of Law at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, 2013
B.A. in English, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan, 1995

Bar & Court Admissions

Indiana, 2013
Michigan, 2017
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit

Certifications

Legal Lean Sigma® White Belt

Practices & Industries

Practices

Industries

Beyond the Office

Cycling

Travel

Golf

Insights

Intellectual Property

Are We in a Banking Crisis? What the Silicon Valley and Signature Banks’ Failure Tell Us About the Future of Financial Institutions (Podcast)

April 13, 2023

Krieg DeVault Podcast Series

APRA Records Requests: What must be disclosed? What can be withheld? Are there time limits for the government’s response and document production? (Podcast)

July 27, 2022

Business

Three Minute Update – Doing a Deal: Stacking the Deck - the Law and Best Practices for Building Your Board

June 30, 2022

Litigation

Supreme Court Decision in City of Austin V. Reagan National and Its Impact on Cases Challenging Municipal Sign Ordinances

June 8, 2022

Estate Planning & Personal Services

Community Matters: One Attorney's View on how to Provide Exceptional Client Service Within the Legal Industry and the Community (Podcast)

September 17, 2021

Health Care

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

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

August 25, 2022

Firm News and Events

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

Litigation

Hold Your Filings: Preliminary Injunction Placed on Government Enforcement of CTA and Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Requirements

December 4, 2024

Business

Partner and Firm Executive Committee Member Brian M. Heaton Elected to Serve as President of the Board of Directors of the Association for Corporate Growth Indiana

May 23, 2024

Firm News and Events

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

Firm News and Events

U.S. House of Representatives Reintroduces the MORE Act: Will 2021 be the Year Federal Cannabis Prohibition Finally Ends?

June 14, 2021

Secured Lender

Indiana Supreme Court Curtails Attempted Expansion of Exceptions to General Rule Regarding Successor Liability in Corporate Transactions

May 7, 2021

Secured Lender

Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act Passes U.S. House…Again

April 20, 2021

Business

Governor Holcomb Signs Legislation Modifying Indiana’s Zero Tolerance Per Se Driving Law for Marijuana or Marijuana Metabolite

April 20, 2021

Business

Indiana House Votes to Reverse Indiana’s Ban on Smokable Hemp

February 24, 2021

Litigation

Indiana Supreme Court Affirms Freedom of Contract Principles in Closely Held Company Valuation Case: Choose Your Words Carefully

February 2, 2021

Business

Businesses That File Indiana Sales and Withholding Taxes Must Transition Accounts to New Indiana Department of Revenue System Starting September 8, 2020

September 8, 2020

Labor and Employment

Tax-Exempt Organizations Should be Prepared to File and Pay the Section 4960 Excise Tax on Executive Compensation by July 15, 2020

June 29, 2020

Business

IRS Releases FAQs on Tax Treatment of Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund and Emergency Financial Aid Grants under CARES Act

May 10, 2020

Thought Leadership

UPDATED - Paycheck Protection Program: Confirm the Necessity or Return the Funds

May 5, 2020

Thought Leadership

Further Relief for Indiana Businesses During the Time of COVID-19: Remote Meetings and Suspending Five-Year Limit on Reinstatements

May 4, 2020

Thought Leadership

SBA Issues Additional Interim Guidance on Paycheck Protection Program Clarifying Treatment of Self-Employment and Partner Income

April 15, 2020

Thought Leadership

Insurance Coverage for COVID-19: Six Steps to Help Your Business Maximize Insurance Coverage That May Be Available to Offset COVID-19 Losses and Claims

March 29, 2020

Thought Leadership

Corben A. Lee Joins Krieg DeVault's Business, Acquisitions, and Securities and Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Practice Groups

January 27, 2019

Firm News and Events

Daniel Tychonievich Joins Krieg DeVault's Business, Acquisitions, and Securities Practice Group; will focus on Intellectual Property and Technology Matters

January 27, 2019

Firm News and Events

Representative Experience

Served as counsel in the transition of numerous medical and dental facilities
Served as counsel in numerous commercial real estate transactions involving zoning, assessment, title, environmental and government incentives issues
Served as counsel in the sale, transfer and merger of multiple small to mid-sized closely held corporations
Advised corporate clients on various business and legal matters including contracts, administrative law, regulatory procedures and employment law matters
Participated in over 20 bench and jury trials in both first and second chair with exceedingly favorable verdicts on client’s behalf
Litigation practice experience includes discovery, motion practice, trials, alternative dispute resolution, complex corporate negotiations, appellate work, legal research and writing, and pre-trial preparation
Represents corporate, individual, institutional, and municipal clients in both Indiana and Michigan

Professional Associations

Member, American Bar Association
Member, Indiana State Bar Association
Member, St. Joseph County Bar Association
Board of Directors and Member, Robert A. Grant American Inn of Court
Member, State Bar of Michigan
Member, Berrien County Bar Association

Awards & Recognitions

Indiana Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2023

Seminars & Presentations

Host, "Indiana Construction Law: Guiding Commercial Contractors on Securing Payment – Mechanic’s Liens, Part 3", August 12, 2024
Host, "What Employers Need to Know about New Overtime Exemption Rules", Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, July 16, 2024
Host, "How Employee Benefits Law Impacts Every Workplace with Catherine "Katy" Stowers", Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, May 30, 2024
Host, "New FTC Regulation of Non-compete Agreements with Elizabeth Roberson and Scott Morrisson", Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, May 9, 2024
Host, "Indiana Construction Law: Lien Rights, Deadlines, and Defenses - Mechanic’s Liens, Part 2", Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, April 18, 2024
Host, "Introduction to Indiana Construction Law - Mechanic’s Liens, Part 1", Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, February 6, 2024
Host, "Navigating Digital Privacy in Healthcare: Understanding Web Tracking and HIPAA Concerns," Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, January 24, 2024
Host, "The Indiana State Legislature and Current Issues Important to Hoosiers with Indiana Senator Rod Bray," Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, November 7, 2023
Host, "Unraveling the Corporate Transparency Act," Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, October 24, 2023
Host, "Arbitration 101: An Alternative to Litigation," Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, July 11, 2023
Host, "2023 Deal Landscape: Sellers, Financing and Earnouts," Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, July 11, 2023
Host, "Are We in a Banking Crisis? What the Silicon Valley and Signature Banks’ Failure Tell Us About the Future of Financial Institutions", Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, April 13, 2023
Host, "The Deal Within the Deal - Internal Dynamics Among Multiple Seller Owners in an M&A Transaction," Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, April 13, 2023
Host, "CMS's Proposed Government Overpayment Rule Is Sure to Make You Sleep Less," Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, February 8, 2023
Host, "FTC Proposed Rule Would Essentially Ban Non-Compete Agreements," Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, February 8, 2023
Host, "Legislative Preview: A Look Into Indiana's 2023 Legislative Session," Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, January 5, 2023
Host, "Choosing the Right Entity for Real Estate Holdings," Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, November 15, 2022
Host, "APRA Records Requests: What must be disclosed? What can be withheld? Are there time limits for the government’s response and document production?" Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, July 27, 2022
Host, "Supreme Court Decision in City of Austin V. Reagan National and Its Impact on Cases Challenging Municipal Sign Ordinances," Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, June 8, 2022
Host, "Estate Planning for Young Professionals and Families," Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, May 4, 2022
Host, "2022 Deal Landscape: Current Mergers & Acquisitions Market Trends," Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, March 31, 2022
Host, "An Overview of the firm's Public Finance and Municipal Practice," Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, February 25, 2022
Host, "What is an ESOP?," Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, January 24, 2022
Host, "Tribal Law in the State of Indiana," Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, November 23, 2021
Host, "LIBOR Defined: An Explanation of LIBOR and What Its Exit Means to the Financial Industry," Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, November 22, 2021
Host, "Overview of New Federal COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Employers," Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, November 17, 2021
Host, "Into the Unknown: A look Into the Uncertain Future of New Surprise Billing Laws," Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, August 21, 2021
Host, "Biden Administration Issues Executive Order on Promoting Competition," Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, July 21, 2021
Host, "COVID-19 Vaccination Mandates in the Workplace," Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, June 21, 2021

Publications

Co-Author, "Tips for Negotiating Supply Agreement Terms and Conditions in an Uncertain World," September 27, 2023
Co-Author, "Three Minute Update - Positioning for the Future: Non-Profits and Real Estate," January 10, 2023

Education

J.D., Chicago Kent College of Law at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, 2013
B.A. in English, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan, 1995