Taoufik Lachheb joins Secretariat as Managing Director in Dubai office

Global consulting firm Secretariat has strengthened its Middle East team with the appointment of Taoufik Lachheb as a Managing Director.

Based in the firm’s Dubai office, Taoufik Lachheb is a recognized expert in construction dispute resolution, forensic delay, quantum analysis, and project management.

He has more than 25 years of international experience advising on complex projects, testifying as an expert witness, and delivering guidance as a project adviser and professional negotiator across sectors such as energy (oil & gas, nuclear, power, mining), infrastructure and transport.

As an expert adviser and expert witness, Lachheb has represented clients in numerous high-profile arbitration and dispute resolution forums, leveraging his understanding of strategic, legal, and technical challenges to help clients achieve favorable outcomes in high-stakes and critical matters.

Recently recognised by Who’s Who Legal as a top-tier quantum and delay expert, he is known for his independent and practical approach to resolving complex disputes, particularly those involving project performance, delay, cost, disruption, and productivity challenges.

Prior to joining Secretariat, Lachheb was the co-founder of Lsquare Consulting, a boutique dispute resolution consultancy firm with offices in Paris (France), Casablanca (Morocco) and Dubai (United Arab Emirates). With Lachheb taking the full team with him to Secretariat (around 10 staff), Lsquare Consulting will cease to operate as a standalone entity.

“After years of building Lsquare Consulting with care and conviction, I’m proud to take this next step – bringing my clients, my team spirit, and my passion for complex projects and high-stakes challenges into a firm I deeply respect. Secretariat represents the best of what I believe in: technical excellence, integrity, and a global outlook grounded in trust and collaboration,” said Lachheb. “I’m excited for what’s ahead!”

US-headquartered Secretariat is one of the global leaders in disputes, litigation, and economic advisory in the context of disputes. The company, which has more than 600 staff and offices across five continents, works for law firms (over 90% of the top 100 global law firms are a client), corporations and financial institutions. The consulting firm has one of the largest benches of arbitration experts in the industry.

“We’re delighted to welcome Lsquare Consulting and Taoufik to our firm, bringing complementary expertise and a shared commitment to excellence. This also brings enhanced capabilities to the firm, including strengthened reach and service to French-speaking markets,” stated Secretariat in a post on LinkedIn.