The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) expressed deep sorrow at the news of the death of Frederick John Krebs – its president and chief executive officer from 1991–2011 and head of its nonprofit foundation – on Dec. 22, 2025.
In its news release, ACC described Krebs as an honest, considerate, and exceptional leader in the legal industry. The global legal association extended its condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.
“During part of Fred’s tenure, I was still in private practice seeking to meet the demands of corporate clients and the work he led at ACC helped to inspire young lawyers like me at the time,” said David Bamlango, ACC board chair, in the news release. “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.”
Krebs became ACC’s executive director in 1991. According to the association, under his leadership and guidance, it:
- expanded from 7,900 to more than 25,000 members from over 10,000 organizations
- went international, including through launching a chapter in Canada and recruiting members in over 75 nations
- dubbed itself ‘the voice of the in-house bar’ with its efforts to safeguard attorney-client privilege and promote attorney licensing and multi-jurisdictional practice reform
- offered its members ACC Online, ACC Docket, and other resources and services
- established the ACC annual meeting as the biggest single gathering of in-house lawyers
- commenced the ACC Value Challenge to advance value-based solutions
- launched the ACC Foundation, which aims to promote inclusivity, pro bono services, research, and leadership and professional development opportunities
- worked with the Pro Bono Institute on in-house pro bono programs
- made efforts to drive diversity within the legal profession
“Under Fred’s leadership, ACC became the premier bar association for attorneys around the world who practice in-house,” said Jason L. Brown, ACC’s current president and CEO. “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.”
Beyond ACC
Beyond his ACC leadership, Krebs garnered experience as an in-house attorney, private practice lawyer, lobbyist, and association executive.
According to the association’s news release, he worked as assistant general counsel at the US Chamber of Commerce from 1975–79 and as a lobbyist for the Chamber’s Employee Relations Policy Center from 1984–91. He accepted clients as a part of Stephens & Krebs in McLean, Virginia, from 1979–84, while fulfilling his responsibilities as counsel and lobbyist.
Krebs served as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law School and as a member of the American Bar Association and the American Society of Association executives.
After retiring from ACC, he maintained a consulting practice, had speaking engagements, and taught a law school class.
“He will be dearly missed and the entire in-house community has lost an impactful leader,” said Veta T. Richardson, who succeeded Krebs and served as ACC president from 2011–25. “Fred understood on a deep level why it is important to invest in people and encouraged others in our profession to do the same.”