Kate Porter

Kate Porter is a partner at Vela Wood. Kate is a former associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates, where they represented a wide variety of clients in domestic and international disputes, with a particular emphasis on representation of clients in sports-related disputes. Ms. Porter's experience also includes representing international corporations in FCPA and compliance related matters.

Litigation and arbitration experience includes representing:

* The Qatar Football Association in defending against a protest brought by the UAE Football Association challenging the QFA's semifinal victory in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup

* Asian Football Confederation Vice President before the FIFA Appeal Committee resulting in the complete reversal of sanctions imposed by the Adjudicatory Chamber of the FIFA Ethics Committee;

* South American sports marketing company in breach of contract dispute against South American soccer confederation, ten national soccer associations and competitor sports marketing firm;

* Men’s professional golf tour in dispute with a member of the tour arising out of the tour’s drug testing policy;

* “Big four” professional sports league in an internal investigation arising out of team and

coaching staff’s violation of league rules;

* Barbadian company in an ICSID arbitration under the Barbados-Venezuela Bilateral Investment Treaty relating to the expropriation of a petrochemical company in Venezuela; and

* U.S. company in a shareholders' dispute involving several of its Brazilian subsidiaries arbitrated under the ICC rules.

* South American commodities corporation in internal investigation

Kate Porter began their educational career by obtain a high school diploma from Winston Churchill High School. After high school, they completed a B.A. in Communications and Spanish from Wake Forest University. Kate then obtained a J.D. in Law from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Finally, they completed an LL.M in International Sports Law from Instituto Superior de Derecho y Economia.

Kate Porter reports to Kevin Vela, Managing Partner. Some of their coworkers include Zach Jones - Partner, Christina Dolle - Executive Assistant, and Nikki Rosema - Marketing & Event Manager.