Matthias Tschakert Leaves Freshfields. Joins Compound Law.

When a corporate lawyer walks away from one of the world’s most prestigious law firms to join a startup, people pay attention. Matthias Tschakert just did exactly that.

From the Magic Circle to Compound

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer isn’t just any law firm. It’s one of the “Magic Circle,” the elite group of London-headquartered firms that represent the pinnacle of the legal profession. The firm advises on the largest, most complex matters in the world.

Matthias spent nearly ten years there, leading complex litigation matters and large-scale projects, from cross-border disputes to internal compliance investigations. He had the trajectory, the reputation, and the security that comes with a Magic Circle career.

And he left.

Why This Matters

People don’t leave Freshfields on a whim. The compensation is exceptional. The prestige opens every door. The work is intellectually demanding in ways that few other environments can match. Walking away from that requires conviction that something better exists.

Matthias joining Compound Law sends a clear signal: the future of legal services isn’t being built in the towers of traditional Big Law. It’s being built by teams willing to challenge how legal work gets done, who it serves, and what it costs.

What He Brings

Nearly ten years at Freshfields means nearly ten years of exposure to the highest standards in litigation and dispute resolution. Complex cross-border disputes, compliance investigations, crisis management under time pressure. The kind of work where precision isn’t optional and mistakes have far-reaching consequences.

His strength lies in managing high-complexity projects: clear structures, efficient processes, reliable results. That experience now strengthens Compound. Our clients get Magic Circle quality without Magic Circle economics – whether in disputes, compliance matters, or complex contract negotiations.

The Bigger Picture

Matthias isn’t joining Compound Law despite his Freshfields background. He’s joining because of it. Nearly ten years inside the traditional model gave him a clear view of what works, what doesn’t, and what could be built differently.

We’re honored to have him on the team. And we suspect he won’t be the last to make this move.