Christopher Wayne Adams

PRO

Christopher Wayne Adams

also known as Chris

5.0
16 reviews
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 33 years

Federal crime Lawyer at Charleston, SC
Practice Areas: Federal Crime, Sex Crime, Criminal Defense, White Collar Crime

171 Church St Suite 360, Charleston, SC

Virtual Consultation Available

About Christopher

Biography

Currently the President of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. A criminal defense lawyer with 25 years experience in state and federal courts.

Protecting liberty. Finding Solutions. Fights for people facing charges in state and federal courts.

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Federal Crime 45%

Defends complex fed. cases from white collar to RICO. Recently handled cases in these federal districts: GA (middle), GA (northern), KY (eastern), NC (western), NM, NY (southern), NY (eastern), PA (eastern), PR, SC, and TN (middle).

34 years | 250 cases

45%
Sex Crime 40%

Sex crimes defense in federal and state court ranging from false allegations of rape to computer crimes.

34 years

40%
Criminal Defense 10%

Criminal defense attorney experienced and effective in state court.

34 years | 3,000 cases

10%
White Collar Crime 5%

Recently won a Fourth Circuit appeal with a white collar sentencing issue.

34 years

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 225-475 per hour

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Licenses

Licensed in South Carolina for 32 years

State: South Carolina

Acquired: 1993

Good Standing

No misconduct found

Licensed in Georgia for 33 years

State: Georgia

Acquired: 1992

Active Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Adams & Bischoff

171 Church St Suite 360, Charleston, SC, 29401

adamsbischoff.com/

Christopher Wayne Adams's Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (15) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews | Advocacy

Posted by Vernon Coleman / Wu ( BMF/ Black Mafia Family ) | July 22, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Chris Adams is the absolute best / #1 attorney I know

I have had numerous attorney ( high priced / rated to court appointed ) Chris Adams is the absolute best. I almost f-ed up. I was talking to Don Samuel and he told me C.Adams is a great lawyer & I should stick with him. Don said- if you just want to give me money, I will definitely take it. He said ...he researced Adams in some Death Penalty cases and that I got a deal basically. Chris Adams caught the government trying to set me up and I received significantly less than anybody thought I deserved for the attention BMF received and who the feds said I was. What ever the amount is"pay it".

Posted by anonymous | January 20, 2017 | Hired Attorney | White Collar Crime

Excellent lawyer that cares!

Chris is very knowledgeable and puts that knowledge to work for you! We went through a complicated (and tedious) process in my husbands federal white collar case. There were many obstacles to overcome (ex; being prosecuted in a different state other than where we reside) and he creatively found solut...ions to those obstacles, including getting the case transfer back to our home state. He went the extra mile to contact multiple state agencies on my husbands behalf to get minor issues corrected, even though were not directly associated with the case at hand. Chris let us know exactly what outcome we should expect and worked with the prosecutor so that there ended up being no surprises. He was ALWAYS available to both of us and responded quickly to calls or emails, even though he was busy with other federal cases around the country. Chris's fees were fair and he worked very hard to represent my husband. He definitely earned his fee and then some. I am so thankful to have found him. He is a genuine nice guy who is willing to help others however he can.

Posted by Charles | January 17, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Help in Las Vegas

In November 2015 I was arrested in Las Vegas NV on a Federal white collar charge and extradited to S. Carolina. I have no family friends or contacts there. During my lengthy trip from LV to SC my wife was lucky enough to come across Chris Adams on Avvo. Out of desperation she sent Chris and 4 other l...awyers an email. With it being Sunday afternoon she was not expecting a return call until Monday. So when Chris called her within a couple of hours she was very surprised (FYI no one else called). I arrived to SC the next day and my first court date was the day after, Chris was there waiting. The way Chris argued my side and ultimately was able to get me released on bond and back to my family, I knew he was the right attorney. There were a few obstacles I had to over come that were indirectly associated with my case. Chris assisted me greatly with issues at Las Vegas DMV and issues on an old problem in Florida. This was not part of what I hired Chris for but he went the extra mile for me. Fast forward to Jan 2017 I am still with my family in LV and Chris was able to negotiate time served with 1 yr probation. The charge could have put me in prison for up to 5 yrs!!!. I'm sure I have left out a few things I should mentioned, however if you are in need of a fair, honest , dedicated, hard working attorney Chris Adams is who I would hire. Thanks again Chris your the best....... Charles

Posted by Elizabeth | July 01, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Represented My don

Counselor Adams helped my son when he needed him the most. He advised my son well & for three cases my son was dismissed on all counts. It was amazing the time, patience, and amplitude counselor Adams took to see all and orient me as the mother, as well as my son. I wanted a counselor that unders...tood the plight of young African American and how the system of justice can have a tremendous affect on their lives. Counselor Adams represented other inmates with worst conditions and that is how I decided to move forward and have him represent my son. His fee is fair as well. Overall, I would recommend Counselor Adams to anyone that needs legal representation.

Posted by Brandon | September 26, 2014 | Lawsuits & Disputes

GREAT MAN! GREAT ATTORNEY!!!

I called Chris, he had never met or spoke with me before, but he treated me with kindness & respect right off the bat. I knew immediately that I had chosen the right man for the job. And was I correct!! He took the (bull) case by the horns & got it done without one ounce of hassle. His word was Gold!... His work beyond question! I HIGHLY Recommend him to everyone!!!

See All Client Reviews

Christopher Wayne Adams's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Christopher
Bryan R. Boender headshot
Bryan Boender

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 19

Relationship: Other

"I endorse Chris Adams without hesitation or qualification. I was lucky enough to study under Chris at the National Criminal Defense College. He is an outstanding attorney and advocate."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Christopher. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Richard A. Grossman headshot
Richard Grossman

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I enthusiastically endorse Chris Adams. He is a tireless advocate for his clients and a well-respected attorney among defense lawyers, prosecutors and judges."

Timothy C. Kulp headshot
Timothy Kulp

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have know Chris for many years and personally know him to be skilled in and dedicated to his work in criminal defense. His experience in death penalty defense has exposed him to the top level of this area of practice and every aspect of this work we do. He believes in what he does and knows how to do it."

Lawrence Jason Zimmerman headshot
Lawrence Zimmerman

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 08

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer's work. What can I say about Chris? He is clearly one of the smartest lawyers around; he can clearly see the big picture in every case, and he is extremely creative. Whenever I need assistance with some matter, I talk to Chris who can help parse out issues like nobody else. Besides my endorsement, look at his body of work. He is one of the preeminent death penalty lawyers in the United States, and he has handled cases all around the country. He also does some state and federal work. If you need an attorney and you hire Chris, you are in the best of hands."

View All Endorsements
Timothy C. Kulp headshot
Timothy Kulp

Criminal defense lawyer

Lawrence Jason Zimmerman headshot
Lawrence Zimmerman

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2024

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2023

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2022

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2021

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2020

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2019

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2018

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2017

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2016

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2008

Presidential commendation, NACDL

2007

Presidential commendation, NACDL

2005

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2004

Recognition of Service, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Work Experience

2018 - Present

Partner, Adams Bischoff LLC

2007 - 2017

Managing Partner, Law Office of Christopher W. Adams, PC

2004 - 2007

, Georgia Capital Defender, Director

2000 - 2004

, South Center for Human Rights

1993 - 2000

, Charleston (SC) Public Defender

Associations

1993 - Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

life member

South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

2016 - 2017

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Secretary

2004 - 2016

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Board of Directors

2000 - 2004

Georgetown Law Center

Dean's Advisory Board

Sample of Legal Cases

USA v. Williamson

July 2014 federal acquittal on all counts

USA v. Casey

Won a life verdict in 2013 in a three month federal death penalty trial in Puerto Rico.

USA v. Doe

Client not charged in white collar fraud investigation.

See More Legal Cases

Education

2016

East Tennessee State University

MA - Masters

1992

Georgetown University

law

1988

University of West Georgia

Speaking Engagements

2017

National Criminal Defense College, faculty since 2005 criminal defense advocacy

2017

More than 150 presentations on criminal defense in more than 35 states

Criminal defense advocacy including forensics, cross examination, theory of the case, voir dire, argument, litigation strategy, etc.

2017

Death Penalty Voir Dire College, faculty since 2003

criminal defense advocacy

Publications

2001

The Champion magazine Faces of Death: Problems with Alabama's Death Penalty

2000

The Champion magazine columnist for "Death Watch," 2001-2004

Languages

English

Avvo Rating

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