Christopher P. "Chris" Couch

Christopher P. "Chris" Couch

Birmingham, AL recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2016
Phelps Dunbar LLP

201 Best Lawyers awards

Phelps Dunbar LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Banking and Finance Law Commercial Finance Law Financial Services Regulation Law FinTech Practice

Biography

Christopher P. (“Chris”) Couch advises banks and other financial institutions on regulatory and operational matters as well as on compliance with banking and lending laws, rules, and regulations. He counsels national, regional, and community banks with respect to deposit operations, payment systems, treasury management products, consumer regulatory regimes, and new services offerings, including electronic and mobile banking.

Chris also represents financial institutions, finance companies, and private investors in commercial loan transactions, direct and indirect lending programs, loan purchases and sales, and mergers and acquisitions. He also advises such entities in structuring and negotiating vendor and technology contracts, including issues of data privacy and cybersecurity.

Chris advises privately held businesses and start-ups in all aspects of entity formation, corporate finance, corporate governance, and mergers and acquisitions. He counsels technology, consumer products, restaurant, real estate, and manufacturing clients in structuring their businesses to attract private capital and to maximize exit potential and advises fund sponsors and institutional investors in fund formation and deployment.

Chris previously served as general counsel for an alternative energy company that developed private equity-backed industrial projects. In that role, he represented the company in connection with corporate and commercial finance matters, securities issuances, and investor-relations; directed legal matters; and led corporate and business strategy initiatives.

Phelps Dunbar LLP

201 Best Lawyers awards

Phelps Dunbar LLP logo

Overview

  • Vanderbilt University, MBA, graduated 2015
  • Pepperdine University, Certificate, Private Capital Markets, graduated 2012
  • The University of Alabama, JD, graduated 2002

  • Alabama, Alabama Bar
  • Florida, Florida Bar

  • Alabama State Bar - Member
  • The Florida Bar - Member
  • American Bar Association (Middle Market and Banking Law Committees) - Member
  • Alabama, Alabama Bar
  • Florida, Florida Bar
  • Alabama State Bar - Member
  • The Florida Bar - Member
  • American Bar Association (Middle Market and Banking Law Committees) - Member
  • Vanderbilt University, MBA, graduated 2015
  • Pepperdine University, Certificate, Private Capital Markets, graduated 2012
  • The University of Alabama, JD, graduated 2002

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Banking and Finance Law
  • Commercial Finance Law
  • Financial Services Regulation Law
  • FinTech Practice
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Corporate Law
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Securities / Capital Markets Law
  • Venture Capital Law
Awards:
  • Birmingham Business Journal - Best of the Bar, 2021
  • Alabama Super Lawyers “Rising Star”, 2011
  • Martindale-Hubbell™ AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated Attorney
  • Birmingham Business Journal – Top 40 Under 40, 2013
  • Birmingham Magazine “Top Attorneys” in Banking Law and Corporate Finance, 2012–2014

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