Christopher L. Messa

Christopher L. Messa is co-managing partner in the Corporate and Business Transactions practice at Berger McDermott LLP in Wilmington, Delaware. Their practice focuses on corporate and business transactions involving Delaware entities, financing, and governance. Messa advises borrowers, investors, managers, boards, funds, banks, and other lenders on Delaware corporate and alternative-entity matters. Their practice includes securitization and structured finance, asset transactions, mergers and acquisitions, cross-border matters, secured transactions, corporate governance, and fiduciary issues. The work requires close attention to applicable law, key documents, factual development, and the client’s immediate objectives.

Messa earned a J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law, an M.B.A. from the Wake Forest University Babcock Graduate School of Management, and a B.A., cum laude, from Colgate University. The combined legal and business education supports work that often requires analysis of both Delaware entity law and the commercial structure of a transaction. Their education provides a foundation for the legal analysis, writing, and practical judgment used throughout Messa’s work.

Messa’s experience includes complex financings, structured finance and securitization matters, mergers and acquisitions, asset deals, secured transactions, debt restructurings, and acquisitions through bankruptcy proceedings. They also advise on governance, fiduciary duties, and the use of Delaware corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and trusts. Across these assignments, Messa works with the legal standards, records, and procedural or transactional steps that determine how a matter advances.

Christopher L. Messa has been recognized by Best Lawyers for Corporate Law and Commercial Transactions/UCC Law. Their practice reflects a continuing focus on integrating Delaware entity law with the financing, governance, and execution issues that shape sophisticated transactions. For clients facing corporate, finance, M&A, and restructuring transactions, Messa emphasizes clear communication, careful legal analysis, and a practical path through the issues presented.

Law Office Affiliations

• Managing Partner, Berger McDermott LLP
• Member, Delaware State Bar Association
• Member, District of Columbia Bar
• Member, New York State Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Business Law Section
• Member, International Law Section
• Member, Commercial Law Section
• Member, Office of the Child Advocate (guardian ad litem)
• Member, Alternative Entity Subcommittee
• Member, Uniform Commercial Code Subcommittee

Licensed State

• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• New York

Education

• Wake Forest University School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Babcock School of Management, Wake Forest University
  Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Colgate University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges