Kate Vernon

Practice Areas

Kate Vernon is a partner and Head of the Competition Litigation Practice in Quinn Emanuel’s London Office. She also advises clients on IP litigation, commercial litigation and regulatory investigations together with GDPR compliance and GDPR / UK Data Protection Act litigation. She is also Quinn Emanuel UK’s COLP.

In her competition law practice Ms. Vernon has advised clients on all aspects of EU/UK competition law and has significant experience in advising and representing both claimants and defendants in competition litigation and in particular with class actions. Ms. Vernon also advises clients in relation to competition investigations, both infringement and market and sector inquiries, and merger control matters. Ms. Vernon regularly litigates in the English High Court, Competition Appeal Tribunal, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. She has conducted appeals from and judicial reviews of decisions of competition and regulatory authorities in London and Luxembourg.

Ms. Vernon also provides strategic and general competition and litigation counselling advice. She has significant expertise in representing clients in IP and commercial litigation where there are competition and FRAND issues. Ms. Vernon has particular expertise in the financial services, retail, sports, media, pharmaceutical and technology sectors.

Ms. Vernon has been described by Chambers and Partners as “extremely good - very sharp, efficient, straightforward and good in getting together the different client interests."; "She's very strategic and can absolutely espy the key issues to fight."; "She is sharp, technical, strategic, warm and amenable”; she is “very impressive” and “she has a strong reputation among market commentators for her ability to handle complex claims”. She is ranked as a Leading Individual in Competition Litigation by Legal 500 which describes the Competition Litigation practice as housing a broad practice known for its ‘deep experience and knowledge’ of disputes arising in the financial services, retail, and technology sectors. Kate is described as “amazing in her ability to address competition litigation within the case framework of different practice areas.’; ‘Kate has carved out a reputation as the go-to person for the most challenging cases. A lawyer of great instinct who quickly gets to the commercial heart of the case. ‘Quinns have become a phenomenon in competition litigation. The biggest compliment one can pay them is that they are the firm one would least like to see on the other side! They fight relentlessly for their clients’ interests with a no-holds-barred approach.’ Additionally, client testimonials from Legal 500 UK 2026 described Kate as having ‘strong tactical acumen with a good instinct as to which points are the best to take.’

She has also been ranked by Chambers Europe from 2017 to date for Competition/European Law, by Chambers Global for Competition Law: Private Enforcement: Claimant. She is ranked in Who’s Who Legal and has also been recognised by Euromoney Business Law Expert Guides for Women in Business Law as an expert in Competition and Antitrust.