Chris Frieden
Chris Frieden is a Partner in Alston & Bird’s Atlanta office, a member of the firm’s Partners Committee, and former co‑chair of its national Financial Services Group. With more than 100 wealth management and investment advisory transactions since 2020—including mergers, recapitalizations, and minority investments—he guides banks, broker‑dealers, RIAs, and private equity clients through high‑value deals and corporate restructurings.
Chris has played lead counsel roles in transactions exceeding $7 billion—such as a $3 billion RIA recapitalization, $1 billion private equity recapitalization, and over $230 million in standalone RIA M&A.
He also advises on SEC reporting, corporate governance, joint ventures, and new business formation in the financial services arena.
Recognized as a top industry adviser, Chris is listed in Best Lawyers in America for Financial Services Regulation and M&A Law, was named “Financial Services Dealmaker of the Year (Middle Market)” in The Deal Awards (2021), and earned accolades from Chambers USA and Super Lawyers (“Georgia Rising Star”). He also served as an adjunct professor at Emory University School of Law (2001–2008), teaching M&A law, and contributes to high-profile industry transactions—including multiple RIA platform rollups on behalf of clients like Hightower and national multifamily office.