[1] He then earned a Juris Doctor from the Valparaiso University School of Law in 1981.

[1][2] From 1981 until 1989, DeGuilio served as an associate for a Schererville, Indiana law firm, during which time he also served part-time as a deputy prosecutor and public defender for Lake County, Indiana and as a City Councilman (1984–1987) in Hammond.

From 1999 until 2001, he served as a senior vice president and trust officer, and from 2001 was the bank's general counsel and corporate secretary until becoming a federal judge.

[1][2] In January 2009, DeGuilio informed Indiana Senator Evan Bayh of his interest in a vacant federal district judgeship.

On January 20, 2010, President Obama nominated DeGuilio to the position, which was vacated by Judge Allen Sharp, who took senior status in November 2007 and died in 2009.