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I’ve always been drawn to the notion of defending the underdog, and believe that my success as a criminal defense lawyer stems largely from my willingness to challenge (and hopefully defy) the odds on behalf of my clients. In my line of work, it’s essential to project confidence when you’re positioned between an accused individual and the state or federal government.

Mr. Adams concentrates his practice in the areas of criminal defense, internal investigations, attorney ethics matters and disciplinary proceedings, and complex commercial litigation. With a national practice that has encompassed the representation of high profile individuals, Mr. Adams has served as counsel to professional athletes, elected officials and candidates for public office, political campaigns, and numerous public and private business entities.

In the healthcare sector, Mr. Adams has successfully defended physicians charged with crimes in federal and state court, as well as in front of the Board of Medical Examiners (BME). He has negotiated the relicensure of physicians whose licenses were revoked by the BME and assisted in the development of re-entry plans in conjunction with the BME and the Office of the Attorney General. In addition, he has defended physicians in Medicare debarment proceedings and negotiated their re-entry into the Medicare program.

With a demonstrated track record of success in taking on difficult matters, Mr. Adams has tried cases in state and federal courts throughout the country. His experience includes appearances before the U.S. District Courts for the District of New Jersey, Northern District of California, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Illinois, District of South Dakota, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He has argued significant matters before the New Jersey Supreme Court and Appellate Division, and before other state courts including those in Florida and Alabama.

Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Honors & Awards

  • Recipient of the Professional Lawyer of the Year Award from the Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law (2017)
  • Listed in Chambers USA (a publication of Chambers and Partners) in the Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations practice area (2022 - present)
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© (a trademark of Woodward/White, Inc.) in the Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar practice areas (2022 - present)
  • Selected by Best Lawyers® as Woodbridge "Lawyer of the Year" in Criminal Defense: General Practice (2023) and Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2024)
  • Listed in New Jersey Super Lawyers (a Thompon Reuters business) in the Criminal Defense and Criminal Defense: White Collar practice areas (2012 – present)
  • Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rated AV® Preeminent (a trademark of Internet Brands, Inc.) (2010 - present)
  • Included by the New Jersey Law Journal (a publication of ALM Media Properties, LLC) on its 2007 "40 Under 40" list (now "New Leaders of the Bar")
  • Recipient of the New Jersey Bar Association’s Young Lawyer Professional Achievement Award (2006)

Please visit our Award Methodology page for a description of the standard or methodology on which these accolades are based. Attorney Advertising: No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Representative Matters

Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

  • Representation of a New Jersey contractor charged with theft by deception related to work performed by defendant’s company following Superstorm Sandy.

  • Ongoing representation of one of the country’s leading installers of artificial turf in numerous matters, including regulatory investigations, bid challenges and litigation with competitors.

  • Representation of an international hospitality company in a federal criminal investigation involving various individuals within the company.

  • Representation of the principal of a privately held company in the construction and demolition industry who is the target of a federal criminal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. 

  • Representation of the Board of Education president of a New Jersey municipality, who is the focus of federal and state investigations surrounding his actions as a public official.

  • Representation of a defendant charged by the State of New Jersey with criminal possession of numerous assault weapons.

  • Representation of a large public university through the General Counsel’s office in an investigation into allegations raised by the university’s ethics and compliance office. Investigation involved data and document review, as well as witness interviews.

  • Representation of a large international healthcare company in a confidential investigation involving a U.S. based distribution center and an office location. Investigation involved data and document review, witness interviews, and coordination with law enforcement.

Uniquely NJ

  • Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey: past President (2016-2017) and Trustee Emeritus
  • Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey
  • New Jersey State Bar Association
  • Monmouth Bar Association
  • New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Model Criminal Jury Charges (past Member)
  • New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Jury Selection in Civil and Criminal Trials (past Member)
  • New Jersey Chief Justice's Joint Committee on Criminal Justice (past Member)
  • New Jersey Office of Attorney Ethics District V-C Ethics Committee (past Member)
View Expanded Bio

More Activities & Experience

  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • American Bar Association
  • Mr. Adams is the former general counsel of a private corporation operating in a highly regulated industry
  • While attending law school, Mr. Adams served as President of the Seton Hall Law Student Bar Association

Presentations & Speaking Engagements

Publications & Alerts

View Abbreviated Bio

Departments

Education

Seton Hall University School of Law, J.D., 1998

University of West Virginia, B.A. cum laude, 1995

Bar Admissions

  • New Jersey, 1999
  • U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, 1999
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, 1999


- Chambers USA 2023 -
(a publication of Chambers and Partners)
Editorial Excerpt: "An experienced white-collar criminal defense attorney with notable expertise acting for both individuals and corporations. He regularly represents clients at trial."


Adams, Christopher D Best Lawyers Award Badge

Best Lawyers Award Badge

Christopher D. Adams
Rated by Super Lawyers


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Please visit our Award Methodology page for a description of the standard or methodology on which these accolades are based.
Attorney Advertising: No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.