Bio

Christopher Frieden is a member of Alston & Bird’s Partners Committee and former co-chair of the firm’s Financial Services Group. He focuses his practice on mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and complex corporate finance transactions, including restructurings and reorganizations, in the financial services industry. Chris concentrates on transactions involving wealth management and investment advisory firms, asset managers, depository institutions and mortgage companies. Since 2020, he has advised on 40+ wealth management M&A and investment transactions. Chris also has extensive experience in advising clients on SEC reporting and disclosure requirements, corporate governance issues, and other corporate and securities matters. Chris is recognized in the 2023 and 2024 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® in the Mergers and Acquisitions Law category. Chris served as an adjunct professor at the Emory University School of Law from 2001 to 2008, teaching a course on mergers and acquisitions. Chris was recognized by Chambers USA in 2017 and 2018 for excellence in banking and finance. He was also named to the 2014 Georgia “Rising Star” list by Super Lawyers magazine, a peer-nominated award. In 2021, Chris was recognized in The Deal Awards as the “Financial Services Dealmaker of the Year (Middle Market).” He previously appeared on the shortlist in 2018 and 2020.