Mayer Brown announced that Frederick Cristman and James Adams have joined the firm as partners in its Washington, DC office within the Global Leveraged Finance and Private Capital Group. Both executives previously served at Hogan Lovells and bring extensive experience advising on complex domestic and cross-border finance transactions across private credit and banking markets.
Their arrival strengthens the firm’s capabilities amid growing demand for sophisticated legal counsel within the private credit sector. The addition of Cristman and Adams follows recent hires across the group in Chicago and London, expanding the firm’s integrated finance platform across key markets. The new partners will support clients across a range of high-impact matters, including acquisition financings, asset-based lending, working capital facilities, and cash flow transactions across diverse industries such as healthcare, technology, manufacturing, energy, telecommunications, and retail.
Cristman advises lenders, private equity sponsors, and corporate borrowers on commercial financing arrangements, with a particular concentration in asset-based and cash flow financing solutions. Adams advises both borrowers and lenders on debt financing transactions, including acquisition and working capital financings in both domestic and international contexts.
Firm leadership stated that the expansion reflects a commitment to strengthening service delivery for clients in a rapidly evolving private credit environment and reinforces the Washington DC office’s continued focus on high-profile transactional growth. The firm also highlighted that the addition of Cristman and Adams builds on broader strategic momentum across the Global Leveraged Finance and Private Capital Group, including the recent hiring of partners focused on restructuring and private credit transactions.
KEY QUOTES:
“Fred and James are both highly respected finance lawyers in the cash flow and ABL space with a tremendous client following and deep market experience. They align perfectly with our strategic growth plans across our global platform in private credit. Their arrival, combined with the recent additions of Brian Trudgen in Chicago and David Miles and Philip Butler in London, further strengthens our ability to advise financial institutions on complex, high-impact and time-sensitive matters. We are lucky to have them on the team.”
Fred Fisher, Co-Leader of Mayer Brown’s Global Leveraged Finance and Private Capital Group
“Private credit continues to evolve rapidly, with explosive growth across asset classes and increasing demand for sophisticated legal counsel. Fred and James bring the kind of deep market insight and transactional experience that our clients rely on. Their addition reflects our commitment to building a world-class private credit platform that can support clients globally.”
Matt O’Meara, Co-Leader of Mayer Brown’s Global Leveraged Finance and Private Capital Group
“I’m thrilled to join Mayer Brown’s premier finance team. The firm’s strong finance and restructuring capabilities, collaborative culture and global reach will allow me to better support clients across the full spectrum of lending and financing matters.”
Frederick Cristman, Partner
“I’m excited to bring my practice to Mayer Brown. The firm’s breadth of capabilities and strong private credit presence provide an outstanding platform to help clients navigate evolving markets and regulatory dynamics.”
James Adams, Partner
“We are delighted to welcome Fred and James to our Washington DC office. Their proven strength in complex leveraged finance and private capital transactions will immediately deepen our capability to serve both lenders and borrowers. Their arrival also underscores the DC office’s continued investment in top-tier talent.”
Andrew Olmem, Managing Partner of Mayer Brown’s Washington DC Office
“Over the past several years, we have welcomed exceptional lateral talent across our finance and private credit platform, and Fred and James are the latest example of that momentum. In a period of heightened lateral activity and accelerating private credit demand, our global platform, deep product bench and strong restructuring capabilities give lawyers like Fred and James the tools to help clients navigate complexity and move quickly.”
Jon Van Gorp, Chair of Mayer Brown
