Banking & Finance | Mergers & Acquisitions | Venture Capital & Growth Equity | Private Wealth & Family Office

dgale@smithpauley.com | (402) 822-0461

A sixth generation Nebraskan, David brings over 30 years of experience as a financial services executive, successful entrepreneur, and corporate lawyer.  His practice at the Firm focuses on Banking & Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions, Venture Capital & Growth Equity, and Private Wealth & Family Office. 

Over his career, David has co-founded multiple startup Nebraska bank holding companies, plus a fast-growing regional insurance agency holding company. He helped source, fund, and execute nearly two dozen acquisitions while building these multi-state institutions.  He also served as Chief Executive Officer of both Sandhills State Bank and INSight Capital, LLC, Chairman of Western National Bank, and Executive Vice President & General Counsel of Frontier Bank.  David has been a board member of numerous community banks, as well as the Nebraska Public Power District, the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, the Museum of Nebraska Art, and the Investment Committee of the University of Nebraska Foundation.   

Originally from North Platte, Nebraska, David graduated cum laude from Creighton University School of Law, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Creighton Law Review.  After his graduation from law school, David served as a judicial clerk for the Honorable William G. Cambridge, Chief Judge, United States District Court for the District of Nebraska. 

Prior to law school, David received a commission as a Second Lieutenant, Infantry in the United States Army Reserve upon his completion of Officer Candidates’ School in Fort Benning, Georgia.  In 2003, he retired as a Captain after a decade of military service.

Mr. Gale earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska’s College of Business.

David and his wife, Kristine, live near De Witt, Nebraska, and have three adult sons – Jack, Charlie, and Thomas

Education

• University of Nebraska, BSBA

• Creighton University School of Law, J.D.

Bar Admissions

• State of Nebraska