Eversheds Sutherland adds senior international arbitration expertise with Mohamed Khanaty return

Mohamed Khanaty joins from Freshfields, where he spent more than eight years in its International Arbitration Group based in Dubai, advising clients on commercial arbitrations and cross-border disputes. He brings extensive experience representing clients across the Middle East in matters involving commercial arrangements, M&A and joint ventures, agency and distribution arrangements, regulatory risk, energy and major projects. He also sits as arbitrator.

His appointment marks a return to Eversheds Sutherland, where Mohamed previously spent almost five years with the firm’s Middle East disputes team between 2013 and 2018.

Mohamed has worked in the Middle East for more than 13 years. His earlier career included commercial litigation practice in Victoria, Australia where he trained and qualified. Mohamed completed his Bachelor of Laws in New Zealand, where he is also qualified to practice. In addition to his legal education, he has completed a Bachelor of Commerce in New Zealand. He also has in-house experience where he spent a year on secondment as senior disputes counsel at a Middle Eastern national oil group advising on complex commercial and project disputes.

Based in the firm’s Dubai office, he will advise regional and international clients on international arbitration and cross-border disputes. He is also fluent in Arabic. His appointment supports the continued development of Eversheds Sutherland’s disputes offering across the UAE and wider Middle East, while strengthening collaboration with the firm’s international arbitration and litigation teams globally.

Rebecca Copley, Middle East Head of Litigation & Dispute Resolution at Eversheds Sutherland, said:

 “We are delighted to welcome Mohamed back to Eversheds Sutherland. He is an accomplished disputes lawyer with deep knowledge of the Middle East, strong international arbitration experience and a clear understanding of the commercial and regulatory environment in which our clients operate.

“Mohamed already knows many of our people, our clients and our collaborative way of working. His return adds further senior capability to our growing regional practice and strengthens our ability to support clients on complex, high-value disputes across the Middle East and internationally.”

Mohamed Khanaty, Legal Director at Eversheds Sutherland, said:

 “I am very excited to be returning to Eversheds Sutherland. The firm was an important part of my career in the Middle East, and it is exciting to rejoin former colleagues and meet new ones, while also becoming part of a practice that has continued to grow and thrive.

“The firm’s established regional practice and international platform provide a strong basis for advising clients on international arbitration and complex cross-border disputes. I look forward to working with colleagues across the Middle East and internationally, reconnecting with clients and contributing to the continued growth of the practice.”

Mohamed Khanaty joined Eversheds Sutherland on 1 October 2026. His appointment forms part of the firm’s continued investment in its Middle East Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice.