Vincent Brophy

VINCENT BROPHY has over 20 years’ experience in counseling and representing clients on matters involving antitrust/competition law as well as FDI and FSR. He is an experienced advocate who appears before the authorities in mergers, cartels and antitrust investigations, as well as in related litigation before the courts.

Vincent advises across a wide spectrum of industries and services. His experience ranges from mining and minerals to energy, consumer goods, payments, wholesale/retail banking, insurance, telecoms and technology.

Vincent has received acknowledgement from numerous industry ranking guides, including the following;

• Chambers UK (2022–2026), Chambers Europe (2009–2018, 2022–2026), and Chambers Global (2009–2018, 2023–2026) – Ranked for Competition Law, where sources describe Vincent as “a seasoned competition lawyer” who “combines deep expertise and experience in antitrust matters with an ability to advise clients in a superbly strategic and understanding manner,” and highlight that “it is tremendously useful when you have someone that can be both practical and theoretical, like Vincent Brophy can” (2026). They further note that “his experience with a variety of global regulatory regimes and knowledge of what was likely to work are what really set him apart” (2025). Clients also commented that “he is someone who is good to work with” and “he has the rare quality of knowing how to listen, as well as being responsive, cordial, and pragmatic” and that “his advice is incisive – he makes an immediate difference” (2024).
• Legal 500 UK (2024–2026) – Recommended for EU and Competition, where he is described by clients as “a key individual”; “an astute tactician and highly respected member of the antitrust bar “, noting his “deep experience of handling high-profile matters in Brussels” (2025). He is also recognized for bringing “considerable experience of working in both London and Brussels” (2024).
• Chambers Europe 2016 – Ranked for Competition Law, where he was described as “highly rated by rivals” and said to “excel in conduct work.” He has also been commended as a “class act ... client-focused, a very silky operator. Behind the smooth veneer is an excellent and tough legal mind.”

He has won several professional accolades for his client work, including the Global Competition Review 2016 award for “European Behavioural Matter of the Year” for leading the representation of Deutsche Bank in the European Commission’s investigation into the credit default swaps markets and the Legal Business 2007 award for “Competition Team of the Year” for representing MasterCard before the Competition Appeal Tribunal in its appeal against a ruling of the UK antitrust authority (Office of Fair Trading).

Vincent regularly publishes and is a member of the editorial board of the European Competition Journal.

Vincent studied at the University of Oxford and the University of Paris. He works in both English and French and is admitted in London and Brussels.

Representative merger matters include numerous mandates to advise on corporate mergers and disposals. Vincent has an unblemished record in obtaining smooth merger clearance for transactions — even in the face of obstinate opposition. Among many other merger clients, he has represented:

• Affinity Partners
• Allkem
• Arthur J Gallagher & Co
• BHP Billiton
• Cubic Corporation
• International Game Technology
• Inteva
• Procter & Gamble
• Regal Beloit Corporation

• Defense of Dell Inc. in an EU investigation into arrangements agreed with Intel.
• Defense of MasterCard in multiple antitrust investigations and proceedings, before the UK and EU competition authorities and courts, covering interchange, payment scheme rules and practices.
• Representing Nippon Chemi-Con in its defense of the European Commission’s investigation into an alleged cartel in the capacitor industry.
• An investigation by a competition authority into the syndicated loan businesses of numerous investment banks.
• An investigation by the European Commission into an alleged cartel between precious metals traders and coordination with parallel U.S. investigations and civil litigation.
• An investigation by the European Commission into the credit default swap markets and coordination with parallel U.S. investigations and civil litigation.
• An investigation by various regulators and the European Commission into an alleged cartel between foreign exchange traders.
• An investigation into the conduct of traders in investment grade bonds and CDS. 

Some of the above matters were handled prior to joining Sidley.

• Editorial board of the European Competition Journal
• European Competition Law Forum