Darek Defreece
Attorney at Law
California
CA, MA
About
I started my career as an associate in a law firm, working with small private hedge funds to global investment firms. I quickly transitioned to an in-house role where I provided more direct and immediate support to my clients. Eventually that led to my principal client inviting me to assist with managing the business.
Along with other senior managers we doubled the revenue impact and global presence of that business with 14 offices around the world, and my team grew from 3 attorneys to approximately 50 employees who covered issues from strategy to… read more relationship management.
experience
Representative Clients
Practice Areas
Client Reviews
"I had the pleasure of working with Darek while at BGI and he was my chief legal counsel. Darek posses a high degree of professionalism, curiosity and legal acumen that is rare even in our fiercely competitive industry."
"Despite not being an employment attorney, Darek helped me with a sensitive legal matter. He was able to call upon his network and provide me with the advice I needed both on a timely basis and an effective cost."
Work History
University of California, Berkeley
Managing Director
May 2018 - Present
In this role I am charged with building revenue generation programs for the University, ranging from assessing new degree programs to building new businesses and ventures for the campus.
Wells Fargo
Managing Director
Jun 2013 - Mar 2018
In this position I worked as the business manager for a significant line of business, which included oversight of strategy, regulatory management, administration and facilities and technology. I worked with my peers on the management team to implement new products and services and change our business in accordance with new standards
Wells Fargo
Managing Counsel
Jun 2009 - Jun 2013
In this role I managed a team of attorneys focused on capital market transactions, including foreign exchange payments and derivatives. I also managed the legal issues for global lines of business including international lending and trade payments. I was responsible for issue spotting and engaging other attorneys for a broad range of issues including contracts, employment matters and litigation
Wells Fargo
Senior Counsel
Jun 2003 - Jun 2009
In this role, I was responsible for supporting a line of business which eventually grew from $300MM in annual revenue to $800MM. I rewrote customer agreements from scratch, addressed all issues as the first line of legal defense and acted as an entry point into the Law Department. After a couple of years, I was able to grow the team from just myself to a dedicated team of 4 before I was promoted
PlanetOut.com
Director, Business and Legal Affairs
Aug 2002 - Jun 2003
I was part of a small legal team for this internet and multi-media company, principally in charge of negotiating agreements with vendors, customers and joint venture partners. I was also in charge of preparing the stock records for the company in anticipation of its eventual sale (it later went IPO instead).
Barclays Global Investors
Counsel
Jun 2000 - Jun 2002
I provided legal support for this global investment firm which was later acquired by Blackrock. In this role, I advised on numerous investment management issues, including those related to the Investment Company Act, Investment Advisers Act and other securities laws. I was the principal counsel to the firm's captive broker-dealer as well.
Paul Hastings
Associate
Jun 1998 - Jun 2000
In this role I set up private hedge funds and advised public mutual funds on applicable laws.