The law firm of MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton LLP in Erie recently announced the addition of Matthew B. Wachter as an associate attorney with the firm. Wachter is affiliated with the Business Transactions, Tax and Trusts & Estates Practice Groups at MacDonald Illig. Previously, Wachter was a senior associate at the accounting firm KPMG, LLP in its mergers & acquisitions tax practice in Philadelphia and New York City. He has served as an adjunct instructor in business law at Gannon University, as well as a teaching assistant in mergers and acquisitions at the Villanova University School of Law.
Wachter received a Masters of Laws in Taxation (LL.M.) degree from Villanova University School of Law after receiving his Juris Doctorate law degree from Duquesne University. His undergraduate degree is from the Pennsylvania State University-University Park. He has also studied Canon Law in Vatican City and international business at Philipps-Universität in Germany.
Additionally, Kayla A. Despenes has been hired as an associate with the firm. She is affiliated with MacDonald Illig’s Litigation Practice Group. Despenes graduated magna cum laude from Grove City College with a B.A. in English and a concentration in Legal Studies in 2012. In 2015, she earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law having graduated magna cum laude. Prior to joining MacDonald Illig, Despenes served as a Judicial Extern to the
Honorable John L. Musmanno of the Pennsylvania Superior Court.
