Derek Schwede
About Derek Schwede
Derek Schwede serves as the Head of Legal at Modern Treasury and has over 15 years of experience in the SaaS, FinTech, mobile, and social media industries. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law and has held advisory roles at Bonterms and membership at TechGC.
Work at Modern Treasury
Derek Schwede serves as the Head of Legal at Modern Treasury, a position he has held since 2021. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing legal matters and ensuring compliance within the organization. His work involves collaborating with business and product leaders to launch new offerings and negotiate strategic deals. Schwede's extensive experience in the tech industry supports his contributions to the company's legal framework.
Education and Expertise
Derek Schwede holds a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Harvard Law School, where he studied from 2004 to 2007. He also studied at Rice University. With over 15 years of experience in the legal field, Schwede specializes in the SaaS, FinTech, mobile, and social media industries. His expertise includes building in-house legal teams for high-growth tech companies, which enhances his effectiveness in his current role.
Background
Before joining Modern Treasury, Derek Schwede worked at Smithline PC as Principal from 2010 to 2021, where he gained significant experience in legal practice. He also served as an Associate at Morrison & Foerster LLP from 2008 to 2010. His professional journey has been primarily based in San Francisco, California, where he has developed a strong network in the tech industry.
Current Advisory Roles
In addition to his role at Modern Treasury, Derek Schwede has been an Advisor at Bonterms since 2021. He is also a member of TechGC, a community for in-house legal professionals, since 2022. These roles allow him to stay engaged with the evolving legal landscape in technology and provide guidance to emerging companies.
Teaching Experience
Derek Schwede has been involved in academia as an Adjunct Professor and Guest Lecturer at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law since 2018. In this capacity, he shares his knowledge and experience with law students, contributing to their education in legal practices relevant to the tech industry.