Eversheds Sutherland expands global disputes capability with two senior appointments

Both join from DLA Piper, bringing significant senior experience across regulatory, environmental, corporate disputes and international arbitration work.

Enhancing cross‑border disputes strength in Europe

Michiel Coenraads – coming in as Partner in the Netherlands - brings more than twenty years’ experience resolving complex cross‑border disputes, with a strong sector focus on Energy & Natural Resources and Industrials. Michiel joins from DLA Piper, where he headed the firm’s International Arbitration practice in Amsterdam.

His practice spans international arbitration and corporate litigation, including ESG driven litigation. He has dealt with disputes and managed proceedings in numerous jurisdictions throughout the world including all of the main arbitration rules and under a wide variety of arbitration seats.

Ranked in Chambers and Legal500 for Litigation and International Arbitration, Michiel is a leading practitioner in the Netherlands and also plays an active role in international dispute resolution bodies, sits as an arbitrator and serves as a deputy judge. Chambers Global 2026 describes him as “[…] an excellent strategic lawyer”.

Michiel Coenraads, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland, said:

“I am delighted to be joining Eversheds Sutherland. The firm’s international platform, collaborative culture and strategic focus on cross‑border disputes provide an ideal environment to further develop my practice. I look forward to working closely with Marie-Hélène Berghuijs and other colleagues in the Netherlands and across the global Litigation & Dispute Management team.”

Marie-Hélène Berghuijs, Litigation Partner in Eversheds Sutherland’s Amsterdam office, said:

“Michiel’s arrival marks an exciting moment for our disputes practice in the Netherlands. His international perspective, sector insight and pragmatic approach will strengthen our ability to support clients. I am very much looking forward to working with him as we continue to grow our offering here.”

Joos Hellert, Partner and Head of the German Litigation Practice Group, Eversheds Sutherland, said:

“Michiel is a highly regarded disputes practitioner whose experience in international arbitration, corporate litigation and ESG matters adds significant strength to our cross‑border litigation offering. His sector experience and client relationships align closely with our international strategy, and we are looking forward to working with him as he builds and expands our Dutch and wider European practice.”

Strengthening specialist regulatory capability in the UK

Teresa - joining Eversheds Sutherland as a Senior Consultant in the Environment, H&S and Claims team - is a highly respected authority in environment, product stewardship, food safety and health & safety.

Teresa joins from DLA Piper, and with a career spanning senior regulatory roles in local government and decades as a lawyer advising major corporates and public bodies, she is recognised across four Chambers UK practice areas - including Band 1 for Planning & Environment. Her extensive experience includes contaminated land, climate change, regeneration projects, food and product safety, health and safety investigations, food regulatory issues and cross‑border compliance matters.

Teresa Hitchcock, Senior Consultant, Eversheds Sutherland, said:

“I am really excited to join Eversheds Sutherland’s EHS team. The firm’s strong reputation in regulatory and disputes work, combined with its international reach, offers a fantastic opportunity to support clients on the full range of environment, product stewardship, food safety and health & safety issues.”

Paul Verrico, Partner and Global Head of Environment, Health and Safety, Eversheds Sutherland, said:

“Teresa is one of the UK’s leading EHS practitioners, with an exceptional track record advising clients on complex regulatory matters. Her experience, including time as a senior regulator, enhances our ability to support clients at a time of rapidly evolving environmental, product safety and health & safety requirements. We are thrilled to welcome her to the team.”

Practice Group growth

These appointments reflect Eversheds Sutherland’s continued investment in expanding its global disputes capability across key jurisdictions, strengthening both specialist EHS expertise in the UK and complex commercial disputes capability in the Netherlands.

Mark Davenport, Global Co-Head of Litigation and Dispute Management, Eversheds Sutherland, said:

“Teresa and Michiel bring outstanding credentials and experience across two strategically important areas of our global disputes practice. Their appointments support our continued commitment to providing integrated, cross‑border solutions to clients navigating increasingly complex regulatory and contentious landscapes. We are delighted to welcome them both to the team.”