Frederick Krebs, a longtime leader of the in-house legal profession who helped transform the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) into a global voice for corporate lawyers, has died aged 76.
Krebs died on 22 December following what his family described as a “valiant battle with kidney cancer”. His family announced his death over the holiday period.
Krebs served for two decades as president and CEO of the ACC from 1991 to 2011, a period marked by significant expansion in the organisation’s size, influence and international reach. During his tenure, the ACC grew from fewer than 8,000 members to more than 25,000, representing lawyers employed by more than 10,000 organisations.
Under his leadership, the association established active chapters in Europe, Israel and Canada, and expanded its membership to more than 75 countries worldwide.
Over a career spanning more than 40 years, Krebs was widely regarded as an effective lawyer, lobbyist and chief executive. His work positioned the ACC as ‘the voice of the in-house bar’, particularly in advocacy efforts to protect legal professional privilege, advance reforms in legal professional regulation and multijurisdictional practice, and maintain ethical standards.
He also oversaw a broad expansion of member resources, including the launch of ACC Online – the ACC’s website – and the growth of ACC Docket, the professional journal written by and for in-house counsel, from four to 10 issues per year. He also extended commercial partnerships with other legal publishers.
Krebs played a central role in shaping professional development for corporate counsel. He helped grow the ACC Annual Meeting into the largest single gathering of in-house lawyers and the premier educational event for the field, while ACC Europe’s similar event has grown from strength to strength.
He also promoted change in the legal services market by launching the ACC Value Challenge. This initiative continues today and aims to reconnect cost and value in the delivery of legal services.
Among other contributions was the founding of the ACC Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing inclusivity, pro bono, research and leadership development. He also supported in-house pro bono through Corporate Pro Bono, a collaboration with the US Pro Bono Institute. He additionally helped establish a pipeline programme with StreetLaw to increase diversity within the legal profession.
Jason Brown, the ACC’s current president and CEO, said: “Under Fred’s leadership, ACC became the premier bar association for attorneys around the world who practise in-house. He was a trailblazer in the legal industry, and his legacy of service, dedication and unwavering commitment to advancing the professional and business interests of the in-house counsel community endures.”
Those who worked closely with Krebs frequently described his leadership style as personal and generous. Veta Richardson, who succeeded him and served as ACC president from 2011 to 2025, said: “I will remember Fred as a caring boss, supportive mentor and well-travelled friend who never hesitated to share his time, knowledge or tales of adventure. He will be dearly missed, and the entire in-house community has lost an impactful leader.”
David Bamlango, chair of the ACC board of directors, noted Krebs’ influence on younger lawyers. “He was not only an iconic leader whose impact will be felt for generations of in-house counsel to come, but he made all of us reach higher,” Bamlango said.
Before joining the ACC as executive director in 1991, Krebs served as assistant general counsel at the US Chamber of Commerce and later as a lobbyist for the chamber’s employee relations policy centre. He also practised law at his own Virginia law firm for five years and served as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law School. He remained active in professional organisations, including the American Bar Association.
Beyond his professional life, Krebs supported affordable housing initiatives, was an active member of his local church and advocated for equality and inclusion, including service on the board of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington DC.
Following his retirement, he continued consulting, speaking and teaching, while pursuing his interests in photography and travel. He photographed all seven continents and visited 55 countries.
Krebs is survived by his wife Cathryn Stanley Krebs, two children, three grandchildren and a foster grandchild, as well as three brothers and 12 nieces and nephews.
Email your news and story ideas to: [email protected]
