Chris Robinson provided an expert report, deposition, and trial testimony on behalf of defendant Miraca Life Sciences, Inc. in a wrongful termination suit. The jury awarded the plaintiff less than $1 million, reflecting the exact amount Mr. Robinson calculated and presented at trial, and a substantially lower figure than was put forth by the plaintiff‘s damages expert.

Mr. Robinson was retained by Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. on behalf of Miraca to provide expert analysis and quantify damages to the plaintiff. Mr. Robinson provided testimony and was cross-examined in a nearly two-week jury trial in Nashville, Tennessee in December 2024.  

The jury agreed with Mr. Robinson’s testimony, awarding the plaintiff the exact amount Mr. Robinson calculated — less than $1 million — and rejected the plaintiff expert’s significantly higher damages calculations.

We are pleased to announce that nine of our experts were awarded the 2025 Lexology Index Client Choice Award for Expert Witnesses.

In the Arbitration category, congratulations to winners Mike Allen (Hong Kong), Drew Baiter (Mexico), Neil Gaudion (USA), and Kiran Sequeira (USA).

For his award in the Commercial Litigation category, congratulations to Robert Poole (Canada).

For winning in the Construction category, congratulations to Ian Greenhough (UAE), Dan Clark (USA), Madison Clark (USA), and Meera Wagman (USA).

The Client Choice Award recognizes law firms and partners worldwide for exceptional client care and service quality, focusing on an ability to add real value to clients’ businesses above and beyond other players in the market. Based on nominations from corporate counsel, Lexology ensures that recognition is based on genuine satisfaction and trust, highlighting the recipients’ dedication to quality, commitment to superior service, and strategic importance to their clients.

View the full rankings on Lexology Index.

We are proud to announce that Secretariat has earned the position of No. 1, top-ranked Consulting Expert Firm in the Lexology Index Arbitration 2025 report. The report features firms and experts who have distinguished themselves as industry leaders based on their independence, sharp testifying skills, clear communications, and meticulous analytical insights.

Secretariat also attained the No. 1 position in the report’s categories of Global Elite Thought Leaders (eight experts recognized)—a designation reserved for the best of the best and earned by less than five percent of practitioners in Lexology’s listing—and Future Leaders (14 experts recognized), the foremost names of the next generation of industry leaders.

Read what industry peers and clients say about our ranked professionals as shared in the full Lexology Index: Arbitration 2025 report.

Global Elite Thought Leaders

• Regarded as “one of the best quantum of damages experts in the industry,” clients laud Howard Rosen as being “at the top of his game” and “a striking authority under the pressure of cross-examination.”
• Alexander Demuth “excels in open and clear communication regarding risks, opportunities, and both good and bad arguments,” with sources noting how Alexander “effectively supports his case and demonstrates strong availability and responsiveness while defending his expert opinion well.”
• Mike Allen is a well-established practitioner, known to clients as “an absolutely fantastic expert” who “produces work that is highly persuasive” and can “easily translate complex concepts into simple language.”
• Chaitanya Arora “combines global financial expertise with a keen sense of local issues in Asia, making him invaluable in high-stakes disputes,” with clients noting how Chaitanya remains calm, skillful, and “unshaken under cross-examination,” even in high-pressure arbitration. 
• A prominent expert witness in the Asia-Pacific region, Amit Garg is highly regarded by clients and industry peers alike, with sources stating he “is a renowned delay expert with excellent analytical skills” and “an absolute leader in the field.”
• Ian Greenhough is a top-tier and balanced expert who “always gives a clear and concise presentation of evidence,” remains “calm under pressure,” and “brings great attention and thoroughness to all his work.”
• Mike Saulsbury is a skilled and trusted professional, commended by clients as “one of the best delay experts in the region” who is “well known and well regarded in the construction field.”
• Kiran Sequeira is a highly collaborative and “truly excellent expert witness” who is “great to work with.” Sources note that Kiran is “smart, focused, and provides highly credible thoughtful testimony.”

Recommended Professionals

• Paul Roberts is “measured and presents well on the witness stand.” Paul is trusted by his clients for his ability to “wade through the detail and provide a reasoned and clear opinion.”
• Julius Koo’s clients regard him as a patient, “very thorough and professional, and extremely knowledgeable” expert who “makes analysis accessible and understandable.”
• A highly-regarded professional in the field, Christopher Larkin is “a solid expert with a strong and longstanding reputation in delay analysis.”
• Chris Milburn’s clients commend him for being “excellent at anticipating how a case will evolve” and “a great partner in thinking through how to position evidence.”
• Eddie Tobis has “genuine curiosity and unmatched work ethic [that] drive him to uncover every detail, resulting in extraordinary performance.” Clients note that Eddie is “extremely bright and well-researched” and “practical and tenacious in his approach to every case.”
• Oliver Barnes is praised by clients for being “very talented and experienced in delay analysis,” with sources further noting that “he is experienced, calm, and fantastic at cross-examination.”
• Terry Hawkins is a visionary expert who is “calm, thorough, and has exceptional attention to detail.” Clients note that Terry’s “unique perspective on certain aspects of loss calculations is truly impressive.”
• Liam Holder is “one of the best quantum experts” and “an outstanding witness on the stand,” with one client stating, “he testifies with confidence and clarity—Liam is my favourite quantum expert.”
• Considered “one of the best next-generation delay experts,” Mehmet Karakoc has earned the regard of clients by being “hardworking, practical, and relentless,” and “an extremely bright and sharp delay analyst.”
• A “superb practitioner,” Nishad Morjaria is appreciated as “an incredibly talented and professional expert witness” who is “fantastic to work with.”
• Joe Skilton “excels across the board, especially under cross-examination,” with sources noting that Joe “has meticulous attention to detail, explains complex issues clearly, and is highly valued by clients.”
• A “seasoned expert,” George Taft is a motivated, skilled, and hardworking professional who is “well known for his dedication and strong work ethic.”
• Mark Taylor is “an outstanding expert witness” who offers “a remarkable ability to simplify complex issues for adjudicators, always getting straight to the crux of the matter with clarity and precision.”
• Travis Taylor is “exceptional at conveying complex matters with clarity, making him a strong communicator.” Sources note that Travis’ “intelligence, reliability, and technical brilliance shine through, especially during cross-examination.”
• Alexandre Rivière is described as “an excellent forensic accounting expert” whose “reports and expert oral testimony are always relevant to the case at hand.”
• Ben Burley is a “sharp expert witness with an eye for detail,” with clients citing that he is not only “intelligent and produces easy-to-understand reports,” but also “a pleasure to deal with.”
• Jeffrey Wong is “hard-working, polished, and demonstrates a strong command of his practice area,” who “has exceptional attention to detail and delivers top-notch written presentations” for clients.
• Sources find seasoned expert Mrinal Jain to be “extremely knowledgeable and very proactive,” appreciating that he is “articulate and understands his business well,” and that he is always prepared “to give practical solutions and pragmatic advice.”
• Drew Baiter “possesses strong legal skills and understands the nuances of construction disputes.” Clients appreciate that his “submissions are always thorough, yet clear and concise.”
• A “very strong name in Singapore,” John Lancaster is a highly-valued expert in the field, with clients appreciating that “his reports are always easy to understand, and that’s a great help for tribunals.”
• Matthew Wills “demonstrates a very high level of competence,” offering clients a comprehensive approach where “he effectively untangles complex issues and presents them in a clear and understandable way.”
• Neil Gaudion is “a compelling expert witness” who provides “a well-honed ability to synthesise complex and voluminous information and present it in a way that is understandable and persuasive.”
• Don Harvey is lauded by clients for his “impressive intellectual ability and sound common sense,” with people particularly remarking that Don “does the work necessary to form a solid view and in my view is absolutely first-class.”
• Mike Kling is praised by clients for being “prepared for every eventuality,” with sources appreciating how Mike “does not just present the strengths of his side’s quantum analysis, but knows the weaknesses too.”
• An “open-minded and very experienced” professional, Paul Marcus is very considerate of his clients’ needs and exceptionally “capable of explaining complex matters in layman’s terms so that the tribunal can easily understand the key concepts.”
• Garrett Rush is a leading expert with “significant experience in the valuation of mining claims.” Sources state that Garrett is consistently “easy to work with and truly outstanding.”
• Ted Scott is a “great presenter” who stands out for his “depth of thought and ability to grasp details fast” and his ability to “mobilise with little preparation without detriment to quality.”
• Meera Wagman is acclaimed as “an intellectual who has great presence,” offering clients “an impressive résumé” and the unique ability to “present her findings well and deliver convincing statements.”

Future Leaders

• Charmy Patel is “professional and diligent and thoroughly “pragmatic in her approach to quantum assessment.” Sources note that “the quality of her work and client service is highly impressive.”
• Abigail Harris is a highly professional expert who is “responsive and always willing to put in extra effort” for her clients, who state that they would “recommend her to anyone needing quantum expertise, especially in oil and gas.”
• Sue Kim brings “a wealth of overseas knowledge that greatly benefits her Korean clients,” with sources saying “few in the market match Sue’s unique combination of experience, cultural insight and expertise.”
• Michael Pogue possesses “effective communication and presentation skills” and integrates “constructive forward-thinking and analytical skills” into his work.
• Khaleda Wheeler is “diligent and highly experienced in the construction sector,” impressing clients with her “excellent communication skills and keen ability to listen.”
• “Experienced expert” Miao Gu simplifies the complex for his clients, with sources noting how Miao “excels with numbers and is very user-friendly” and how he “effectively breaks down valuation methods for easy understanding by lawyers and tribunal members.”
• Kagan Aktas’ “diligent and thorough approach, combined with his extensive knowledge of delay claims, makes him a standout expert” and enables him to “offer clear and concise insights” and “speak authoritatively on complex delay issues.”  
• A “collaborative and competent expert,” Paul Baez “provides valuable insight into how the expert report fits into the bigger picture of the case.”
• Bryan D’Aguiar has an “impressive depth of knowledge and a unique ability to communicate complex ideas clearly to lay audiences.” Clients find he is “highly collaborative and responsive,” and “always meets client needs.”
• Stuart Dekker is “a truly outstanding expert witness, with sources saying, “he is exceptionally knowledgeable and an absolute pleasure to work with.”
• Gregory Johnson is “articulate, responsive, and adept at explaining complex issues in clear language,” offering a “clear understanding of valuation methods and an excellent grasp of clients’ needs, demonstrating keen attention to detail.”
• Alexander Messmer is “detail-driven, reactive and possesses strong conceptual skills.” Clients appreciate that Alexander “demonstrates rigor in his analysis and clarity of expression.”

Eric Poer, CPA, a globally recognized securities, accounting, valuation, and regulatory enforcement expert, was retained by Orrick, Herrington, and Sutcliffe LLP to provide expert reports in defense of Apple Inc., CEO Timothy Cook, and CFO Luca Maestri in a high-stakes securities class action dispute.

Mr. Poer, now a leader in Secretariat’s Global Investigations & Dispute’s practice¹, led and collaborated with other top experts, including teams of highly-regarded academic and industry specialists from UCLA and the Virginia Darden School of Business. Mr. Poer, who served as both a summary and expert witness, had his expert qualifications upheld by the court as an expert capable of opining on accounting and financial matters.

The class action securities lawsuit filed by Apple investors in the Northern District of California in April 2019, alleged that Cook and Maestri provided materially false and misleading statements in their November 2018 call with stock analysts and institutional investors concerning demand for the iPhone X in China, the company’s third-largest market. Subsequently, on January 2, 2019, Apple revised the company’s revenue forecast, largely due to weak demand in China, marking the first time that Apple reduced its guidance since the iPhone’s initial release in 2007.² This led the company’s stock price to drop more than 10% the next day.³ The plaintiffs originally alleged more than $70 billion in damages.⁴

In September 2024, the Honorable Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers approved Apple’s all-cash $490 million settlement, ending the five-year dispute. The historic settlement is the third-largest settlement in the Northern District of California and one of the 40 largest securities-related settlements ever.⁵

Per the September 2024 order granting the final approval of the class action settlement, the “plaintiffs faced significant hurdles” including “overcoming expert economic testimony from defendants’ experts.”⁶

While a substantial sum, the $490 million settlement constitutes less than 1% of Apple’s $93.74 billion profit during the 2024 fiscal year. Apple’s stock price has more than quadrupled since the revised revenue guidance in January 2019, creating an additional $2 trillion in shareholder wealth.⁷

---

1. As of May 2024 ↩︎
2. Letter from Tim Cook to Apple investors | Apple Newsroom ↩︎
3. Apple to pay $490 million to settle allegations that it misled investors about iPhone sales in China | The Seattle Times ↩︎
4. Legal Fee Tracker: Lawyers want $122.5 million in Apple securities case | Reuters ↩︎
5. Robbins Geller Secures $490 Million Securities Fraud Recovery from Apple | Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP ↩︎
6. Apple Inc Securities Litigation Docket | Pacer Monitor ↩︎
7. Apple to pay $490 million to settle allegations that it misled investors about iPhone sales in China | AP News ↩︎

Neil Gaudion provided an expert report and testimony on behalf of Five Star Resort Owner, LLC, in construction dispute litigation surrounding a $2 billion Ritz-Carlton Hotel development. The jury awarded $2 million, plus interest, an amount determined from Mr. Gaudion’s testimony.

In 2021, Scottsdale-based Five Star Resort Owner LLC (“Five Star”) selected PWI Construction Inc. (“PWI”), a Las Vegas-based general contractor, to lead the construction of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Villas, a luxurious project in Paradise Valley with an estimated value of $2 billion. However, in August and September 2021, PWI terminated its contracts with Five Star and filed $7 million in liens, alleging missed payments, lost profits, and other damages. Five Star subsequently filed suit for breach of contract against PWI.

Neil Gaudion, Managing Director at Secretariat, was retained by Stein Ray LLP on behalf of Five Star to provide expert analysis and testimony regarding construction damages. He quantified Five Star’s additional costs incurred due to PWI, reviewed PWI’s unpaid invoices and supporting records, then opined on the amounts owed to PWI. 

Mr. Gaudion provided testimony and was cross-examined in a two-week jury trial in Phoenix, Arizona in October 2024.  The jury agreed with Mr. Gaudion’s testimony, awarding Five Star the full amount Neil Gaudion calculated—$2 million, plus interest—and rejecting the vast majority of PWI’s counterclaims. 

Dr. Stuart Gurrea provided trial testimony that contributed to the United States Naval Academy’s victory in Baltimore Federal District Court upholding the Academy’s consideration of race and ethnicity in its admissions process.

Dr. Gurrea was engaged by the US Department of Justice to provide expert testimony in economics, econometrics, and data analysis, and to respond to the plaintiff’s expert’s quantification of the impact of considering race and ethnicity in the admissions process to the US Naval Academy.  Dr. Gurrea led a team of Secretariat professionals specialized in large data set construction, microeconomics, and statistical and econometric modeling.

On December 7, 2024, US District Judge Richard Bennett in Baltimore rejected arguments by Plaintiff Students for Fair Admissions.  In his ruling, the court agreed with Dr. Gurrea’s analyses and conclusions.

“I am pleased that the court adopted my testimony regarding the assessment of the impact of race and ethnicity on the Academy’s admissions process,” said Dr. Gurrea. “I believe my economic analysis, which relied on generally accepted principles in economics and econometrics, helped the Court reject the validity and reliability of Plaintiff’s proposed impact evaluation.”

Secretariat is proud to announce that 13 Secretariat experts have been recognized by Lexology Index (formerly Who’s Who Legal) as USA Thought Leaders in its 2025 rankings.

This award underscores the exceptional contributions, thought leadership, and expertise of our professionals. We are proud to celebrate the value and innovation they bring to our firm, our clients, and our industry.

View our USA Thought Leaders in Lexology Index’s report.

Secretariat is delighted to share highlights from our time at Dubai Arbitration Week 2024. From engaging events to innovative discussions, it was an honor to participate in an incredible lineup of events. 

Monday, November 11 

Amit Garg kicked off Secretariat’s participation in the week’s events, speaking on a panel titled “Debate: Delay Experts in Construction Arbitrations Go Too Far — Where is the Correct Evidential Line?” alongside Sarah-Jane Fick (Dubai Holding), Alexa Hall (Clyde & Co LLP), and Richard Harding (Keating Chambers).  

The discussion, featuring leaders in international construction arbitration, explored competing perspectives, identified where delay experts overstep the correct evidential boundaries, and considered how such experts can be most effectively used in complex, high-value construction arbitration.  

Later in the day, Cameron Postlewaight spoke at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) Young Members Group, UAE Debate Series event “Expert Oral Evidence Should be Limited to ‘Hot-tubbing’ Only.”  

Moderated by Melissa McLaren MCIArb, the intriguing debate also featured Nisreen Bitar-Wall, Ciaran Coates LLM (MRICS, FCIArb), and Sercan Kocamanoglu. 

Tuesday, November 12 

Wednesday, November 13 

Mike Saulsbury led Secretariat’s lineup of discussions on Day 3, speaking on a panel titled “Enhanced Productivity or Potential Pitfall? Understanding the Use of AI in Arbitration from Every Angle.” The panel, part of Exponent’s “Let’s Talk Practical Use of AI” conference at DAW, gave industry experts and arbitrators an opportunity to discuss the power — and shortcomings — of large language models used in typical legal support software. Mike explored these topics with moderator Shane Kennett, PhD,PE,CWI (Exponent) and fellow panelists Emma Nierinck (Mantle Law), Sanjay Patel KC (4 Pump Court), and Kaitlin Spak, PhD, PE (Exponent). 

Thursday, November 14  

Ian Greenhough led Secretariat’s discussions on Thursday morning, speaking at Limeslade’s Construction and Law Masterclass on the topic of AI/Tech in construction disputes.  

Ian delved into key questions on how AI is transforming construction and dispute resolution with fellow panelists Michael Wheater KC (Gatehouse Chambers), and Nick Oury (Herbert Smith Freehills). The discussion also explored the latest AI tools available and the potential for automation in the field. 

Richard Manning provided trial testimony that contributed to a decisive legal victory for biotech startup Inhibrx in a $460 million trade secrets case brought by I-Mab Biopharma in Delaware federal district court.

Secretariat was engaged by law firms Potter Anderson and Wilson Sonsini to provide expert testimony and respond to Plaintiff’s damages claims for this case on behalf of their clients, Inhibrx Biosciences and Inhibrix co-founder Dr. Brendan Eckelman.

On November 1, 2024, a federal jury in the US District Court for the District of Delaware unanimously sided with Inhibrx, rejecting all allegations of misappropriation and finding that the data in question did not qualify as legally-protectable trade secrets.

“I am pleased that my testimony was accepted by the court and helped the jury reach a verdict,” said Dr. Manning. “I trust that my economic analysis, combined with my prior experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, helped the jury understand the facts of this complex, high-stakes case.”

I-Mab filed the lawsuit on March 1, 2022, claiming that Inhibrx and Dr. Eckleman misappropriated confidential information related to I-Mab research projects during prior arbitration proceedings involving I-Mab, for which Dr. Eckelman had served as an expert witness. The Delaware jury found no basis for these claims and awarded the plaintiff $0 in damages, based in part on Dr. Manning’s testimony. The jury’s findings marked a complete victory for Inhibrx and Dr. Eckelman.

Read more about this case on Law360 (subscription required).

Secretariat, the leading disputes, investigations, economics, and expert witness advisory firm, welcomes material sciences and engineering expert Eric Guyer, PhD, as a Managing Director in the firm’s Atlanta office. With Dr. Guyer’s arrival, Secretariat establishes a new Engineering & Scientific Consulting practice, expanding the firm’s services for global law firm and corporate clients, and ushering in the next phase of the firm’s growth strategy.

Dr. Guyer joins Secretariat from Exponent where he held the role of Group Vice President for US, Asia and London Offices and Principal Engineer. As a licensed Professional Engineer, he brings more than 20 years of experience as one of the most respected and trusted experts in product failure analysis and investigations. His background spans multiple industries, with particularly deep experience in the automotive, construction, medical device, and consumer electronics sectors. Based on his extensive research into how and why devices or structures fail, Dr. Guyer is sought out as both a consultant to analyze the root causes of product fracture, fatigue, and corrosion, as well as an expert witness in high-stakes litigation.

“Secretariat has built a reputation as the home of the best-of-the-best experts. It’s a position we take seriously, and it guides us as we carefully consider who we bring on to our team. I can honestly say Eric Guyer is the very definition of this kind of professional,” says Secretariat Managing Director Don Harvey. “Eric’s wealth of knowledge and leadership skills make him the ideal person to launch our new Engineering & Scientific Consulting practice. This new focus area is a natural next step in our strategic growth as we focus on being clients’ first choice when facing daunting legal, risk, and regulatory challenges.”

“When I considered the kind of firm that was the right fit to join and establish a new practice, a commitment to quality and integrity were critically important. It quickly became apparent that Secretariat was the perfect combination of these qualities and has an excellent reputation in the industry,” says Dr. Guyer. “As I engaged with the leadership team and learned the story behind the firm’s success, it was clear in my mind that Secretariat was the ideal destination for my vision. I feel empowered and excited for the future as we build a premier team of scientists, engineers, and regulatory experts.”

Under Dr. Guyer’s leadership, Secretariat’s new Engineering & Scientific Consulting practice will provide the critical research, analysis, and investigations expertise necessary to solve the challenging science, engineering, and regulatory questions behind why products fail and the implications for consumers, businesses, and investors. The new practice complements Secretariat’s other service lines, including Construction Disputes, Damages & Valuations, Intellectual Property, Antitrust, and Investigations, to establish a world-class, expert-led team of nearly 600 professionals across the firm.

The recent GRC Summit, proudly hosted by Secretariat in collaboration with The Wealth Today, brought together more than 300 industry leaders, government officials, and financial experts to discuss crucial topics including governance, risk, cybersecurity, AML, ethical leadership, crisis management, and emerging technologies. 

We are excited to spotlight takeaways from some of our esteemed participants who attended the GRC Summit. In doing so, we aim to provide insights and diverse perspectives that emerged from our discussions. These highlights underscore the collaborative spirit and innovative thinking that defined the event. 

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the speakers and attendees who made this event a success. Together, we are driving innovation in our industry and building a more resilient, compliant world.