Sophie Vanhegan
Partner

Sophie is acknowledged as a leading lawyer in the UK employment law arena by Legal 500 (2023) and Chambers and Partners (2023) where she has been ranked for the past ten years. Clients say "Sophie is excellent and my go-to person. She has supported us with some complex employee relations cases. She provides considered expert support." Sophie Vanhegan frequently advises employers on matters including TUPE, restrictive covenants and discrimination claims and is commended for her knowledge of the financial services sector. Interviewees note that "she is very practical, she is very knowledgeable as to what the law requires and its grey areas, and she gives practical advice."

Sophie is recognised as female leader in International Employment Lawyer's thought-leadership survey for her achievements as a global employment law partner and is recognised in the International Employment Lawyer's IEL Elite, an inaugural guide to the world’s best employment and labour law teams, as a key lawyer. 

Experienced in all aspects of employment law and specialising in complex employment litigation, Sophie regularly advises on restrictive covenant, breach of confidentiality and team move matters which involve High Court injunctions and subsequent trials, as well as bonus disputes and high-value discrimination claims. Many of the cases she works on have cross-jurisdictional elements. She has worked on some of the most complex employment litigation matters and specialises in tailoring a strategic approach to her clients’ risk and litigation appetite. 

Sophie is also an active member of the Employment Lawyers Association.

Before joining GQ|Littler Sophie worked for leading global firm Linklaters. During her time there she undertook a five-month secondment to global investment bank RBS to assist with restructuring issues, following RBS's acquisition of ABN AMRO.