Secretariat

Secretariat

Independent arbitration and litigation consulting experts

Construction Delay Intern

Winter 2026
$28 - $32/hr
Internship
Bachelor's, Master's
Los Angeles, CA, USA
In Person

Travel is generally under 15%, though it may vary by project.

No H1B Sponsorship

About the job

Requirements
  • Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, building construction, architecture, or a related field.
  • Expected graduation date between December 2027 and August 2028.
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0.
  • Comfort using Microsoft Office tools such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  • Ability to travel as needed, generally under 15%, though travel may vary by project.
  • Must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship in the future.
Responsibilities
  • Learn how major construction project schedules are built, updated, and analyzed to uncover what caused delays.
  • Work with scheduling tools such as Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project to explore project timelines and understand how work progressed.
  • Review construction schedules, drawings, progress reports, emails, and project records to identify key facts and determine what happened.
  • Analyze large sets of project data to identify trends, patterns, and details explaining why a project finished early, late, or differently than planned.
  • Turn research and analysis into clear expert reports, presentations, and client deliverables that support real-world decisions.
  • Develop analytical thinking by addressing complex questions using data, documents, and project information.
  • Improve attention to detail by identifying information that affects an analysis.
  • Explain findings clearly to teammates, experts, and clients.
  • Manage time across multiple priorities while contributing to client deadlines.
Desired Qualifications
  • Master's degree.
  • Prior experience with construction project management, scheduling, cost controls, internships, research, student projects, or similar hands-on work.
  • Curiosity and willingness to learn new analytical and scheduling tools.
  • A collaborative mindset and strong communication skills.
  • An organized, detail-oriented, and creative approach to problem-solving, with confidence to ask questions, share ideas, and keep learning.

About the company

Secretariat provides independent expert services and litigation consulting worldwide, focusing on international arbitration, litigation, large construction disputes (delay and quantum analysis), forensic accounting, economic damages, and government contracting. Its work combines data-driven analysis and clear written reports plus testimony: teams collect project data, perform delay and quantum calculations, assess damages, and prepare expert reports and testimony to support clients in disputes. What sets Secretariat apart is its deep, hands-on experience and stable, client-focused relationships—clients feel trusted, especially under pressure—which comes from experienced professionals and an independent, objective stance. The goal is to help clients win disputes and reduce risk by delivering precise analyses and credible expert testimony when it matters most.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Atlanta, Georgia

Founded

2008

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • April 2026: Secretariat won J&J Auris earnout damages work worth about $811 million.
  • September 2026 hires Troy Morgan, Justin Bishop, and Samantha Iyengar broaden revenue lines.
  • July 2026 Naperville lab and Chicago, San Francisco additions support higher-margin forensic engagements.

What critics are saying

  • Secretariat sells dispute wins; a weak 2027 arbitration cycle hits utilization fast.
  • Ankura and FTI keep closing the construction disputes gap; 2026 rankings stay tight.
  • One adverse methodology ruling against its damages or survey experts damages the brand immediately.

What makes Secretariat unique

  • March 2026: Secretariat ranked No. 1 in GAR’s Expert Witness Firms Power Index.
  • June 2026: 56 experts ranked in Lexology’s Construction report, including 12 Global Elite.
  • September 2026: Naperville lab and MD hires deepen in-house engineering, testing, and testimony.

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Benefits

Professional Development Budget

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

↑ 25%

1 year growth

↑ 25%

2 year growth

↑ 25%
Secretariat
Sep 17th, 2026
Secretariat welcomes prominent structural engineering expert Dr. Troy Morgan as Managing Director.

Secretariat welcomes prominent structural engineering expert Dr. Troy Morgan as Managing Director. September 17, 2026 With the addition of Dr. Morgan, Secretariat expands the firm's structural engineering, seismic risk, and expert witness capabilities. Secretariat is pleased to welcome Dr. Troy Morgan, a widely recognized leader in structural engineering, as a Managing Director in the firm's Engineering Sciences practice. With more than 25 years of experience, Dr. Morgan specializes in the analysis, design, investigation, and performance assessment of structures under conventional and extreme loading events, including earthquakes, wind, flooding, ground movement, and explosions. Dr. Morgan has advised clients and served as an expert witness in mediation, U.S. domestic litigation, and international arbitration involving high-rise residential and commercial buildings, healthcare facilities, airports, laboratories, energy and industrial facilities, bridges, rail systems, and other critical infrastructure. His work combines sophisticated structural analysis with the ability to evaluate complex, highly technical civil and structural issues and communicate clear, defensible findings in high-stakes matters. A respected authority in seismic isolation and passive energy dissipation systems, Dr. Morgan has conducted extensive research into the numerical simulation and experimental performance of seismic protective devices. He provides advanced analysis, design, and expert peer review services within performance-based engineering frameworks, including for complex structures that incorporate innovative structural systems and modular construction techniques. Dr. Morgan also has deep experience evaluating seismic risk to new and existing safety-critical structures, systems, and equipment in the nuclear power industry. His expertise in ground-motion selection and scaling, nonlinear structural analysis, and soil-structure interaction further strengthens Secretariat's ability to support clients facing critical engineering challenges across a wide range of sectors, including construction, infrastructure, and energy. "Troy's exceptional technical depth across research, design, investigations, and expert witness work is a tremendous asset to our team," says Eric Guyer, Managing Director. "His ability to examine complex structural engineering questions from multiple perspectives will strengthen the support our Engineering Sciences practice is able to provide to clients across disputes, risk assessments, and other consequential matters." Dr. Morgan is a licensed Professional Engineer in multiple U.S. states and has contributed to prestigious professional committees addressing nuclear structures, seismic isolation, supplemental damping systems, and seismic provisions for building codes. His contributions to earthquake and structural engineering have been recognized through honors from the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Structural Engineers Association of Northern California, and the American Society of Civil Engineers. Dr. Morgan holds bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in civil and environmental engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. He is an adjunct professor in Columbia University's Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics and previously held academic and research positions at New York University, the Tokyo Institute of Technology, and the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center. Latest insights. News | september 18, 2026. Secretariat is proud to announce that Meera Wagman has earned recognition in Consulting Magazine's Women Leaders in Consulting 2026 awards, highlighted in the International Projects/Global Consulting Leader category. Article | september 10, 2026. Food manufacturers, processors, distributors, and retailers continue to face heightened scrutiny regarding the presence of naturally occurring and anthropogenic contaminants in food and beverage products. As contaminant-related litigation and Proposition 65 enforcement continue to expand in the food and beverage industry, companies face increasing pressure to understand the risks associated with contaminants of interest. Effective risk management requires more than simply detecting a constituent of concern. A reported detection is often the beginning of the evaluation, not the conclusion. News | september 7, 2026. Chicago-based appointment deepens the firm's electrical engineering, product safety, fire investigation, and laboratory capabilities.

Secretariat
Sep 7th, 2026
Dr. Justin Bishop, leading electrical engineering expert, joins Secretariat as Managing Director.

Dr. Justin Bishop, leading electrical engineering expert, joins Secretariat as Managing Director. September 7, 2026 Chicago-based appointment deepens the firm's electrical engineering, product safety, fire investigation, and laboratory capabilities. Secretariat is pleased to welcome Dr. Justin Bishop, an industry-leading electrical engineering expert, as Managing Director. With nearly two decades of experience, Dr. Bishop brings extensive expertise in investigating electrical systems and equipment across industrial systems, consumer products, residential and commercial properties, and marine incidents. Dr. Bishop's work includes alleged design defects, electrical equipment and control-system failures, fires and explosions, electrical work practices, and shock, electrocution, and arc-flash incidents. He has analyzed power-generation and process equipment, industrial control systems, electrical installations, and operator interactions with automated systems. Dr. Bishop also advises consumer product companies on pre-market product evaluations and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recall investigations. His experience includes product testing, failure analysis of field-returned units, product risk assessments, review of safety compliance programs and production techniques, and technical evaluation of corrective action plans. Dr. Bishop will conduct investigations and testing at Secretariat's new laboratory in Naperville, Illinois. The Naperville laboratory supports targeted testing, failure analysis, root-cause investigations, and other forensic engineering evaluations - offering a dedicated, state-of-the-art environment for Secretariat's multidisciplinary Engineering Sciences experts working across electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, thermal sciences, human factors, and other specializations. These in-house capabilities complement Dr. Bishop's work and further expand the technical resources available to clients. "Justin brings an invaluable combination of rigor, technical depth, and investigative experience to our Engineering Sciences practice," says Eric Guyer, Managing Director. "His arrival, together with our investment in the Naperville lab, reflects Secretariat's continued commitment to providing clients with the technical resources, testing capabilities, and multidisciplinary expertise needed to address increasingly complex engineering challenges." Dr. Bishop is a licensed Professional Engineer, a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator, and a Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator. He is a member of the National Fire Protection Association and the National Association of Fire Investigators. He is also a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and a principal member of the National Fire Protection Association Technical Committee on Electrical Inspection Practices. Dr. Bishop holds a PhD and a Master's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Utah, and a Bachelor's degree in computational physics from Illinois State University. Latest insights. Article | september 4, 2026. Recent project failures and litigation trends have brought increased scrutiny to artificial turf systems, including allegations that they present multi-dimensional risk related to design, construction, product performance, environmental and health exposure, and potential injury. News | august 28, 2026. Eight Secretariat experts are named in the Lexology Index 2026 Energy report. This guide highlights the world's leading practitioners working in the field of energy across all major jurisdictions. News | august 25, 2026. Five Secretariat experts have earned recognition in the Lexology Index 2026 Competition report for their work on complex antitrust and competition engagements.

Secretariat
Aug 18th, 2026
Survey and statistical analysis expert Dr. Samantha Iyengar joins Secretariat as Managing Director.

Survey and statistical analysis expert Dr. Samantha Iyengar joins Secretariat as Managing Director. August 18, 2026 With deep expertise in survey research, sampling, and statistical analysis, Dr. Iyengar expands Secretariat's capabilities in high-stakes intellectual property, class action, and commercial disputes. Secretariat is pleased to announce that Dr. Samantha Iyengar has joined as a Managing Director in the firm's San Francisco office. A highly respected expert bringing more than 15 years of experience in survey research, statistical sampling, and consumer behavior analysis, Dr. Iyengar is engaged by clients and counsel to address complex questions in intellectual property, product liability, class action, mass tort, and commercial disputes. Dr. Iyengar has extensive experience designing and conducting surveys related to trademarks, trade dress, patents, false advertising, and consumer claims. She is particularly regarded for her expertise in conjoint surveys and analysis, which have been used to evaluate allegations of patent infringement, false advertising, and product liability claims, including Lanham Act and consumer class action matters, product defect, and mislabeling. Her analyses have been incorporated into damages models that address critical issues such as price premiums, reasonable royalties, and lost profits. Beyond survey research, Dr. Iyengar has designed and evaluated statistical sampling plans used to analyze large populations of documents and records in contract, payment, and commercial disputes. A seasoned testifying expert, she has testified at trial and in deposition on the application of surveys, sampling methodologies, and statistical analysis across a wide range of litigation matters. Prior to joining Secretariat, Dr. Iyengar served as an Assistant Professor at both the University of Michigan-Flint and the University of Idaho, where she taught courses in social research methods. She holds a PhD and MA in Sociology from the University of Iowa, as well as an MA in Sociology and a BA in Sociology and Anthropology from the University of Montana. Dr. Iyengar is also a member of the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the American Statistical Association (ASA). Latest insights. News | august 18, 2026. Tanner Weil provided an expert report and testimony on behalf of Air Liquide, a multinational supplier of industrial gases and related services, in a construction dispute arbitration surrounding the development and construction of an anaerobic digester biogas facility in Pennsylvania. The unanimous arbitration panel awarded more than $25.4 million, an amount determined directly from Mr. Weil's analysis and testimony. News | august 14, 2026. During Peru's 2026 presidential election, Secretariat's Arnold Y. Castillo was retained by a major political party to conduct an independent assessment of identified anomalies and determine whether the available evidence justified further technical scrutiny. News | july 30, 2026. Legionnaires' disease and the detection of Legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease, are once again making headlines. For building owners and operators, it is critical to understand where risks exist, how to maintain effective monitoring practices, and how to respond if and when detections occur.

Secretariat
Jul 16th, 2026
Dr. Sarahann Rackl, a leading chemical and microbial contamination expert, joins Secretariat as Managing Director.

Dr. Sarahann Rackl, a leading chemical and microbial contamination expert, joins Secretariat as Managing Director. July 16, 2026 As organizations face increasingly complex environmental challenges involving PFAS, microplastics, water quality, and product liability, Dr. Rackl brings more than two decades of experience helping clients investigate these issues, identify root causes, and navigate evolving regulatory requirements. Secretariat is pleased to welcome Dr. Sarahann Rackl, an industry-leading expert in chemical and microbial contamination, as a Managing Director to its growing Engineering Sciences practice. Dr. Rackl brings more than two decades of experience in applying her civil and environmental engineering expertise to help clients navigate complex environmental issues including per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and microplastics, microbial contamination, product liability, and product stewardship. Dr. Rackl frequently leads complex, multidisciplinary investigations to conduct root cause analyses and identify the sources of microbial and chemical contamination in engineered systems and environments. Often, her analyses involve examinations into the source of PFAS, other chemicals of concern, or Legionella and other waterborne pathogens, helping organizations understand root causes of contamination, assess risks, and develop practical, sustainable solutions. For nearly a decade, a significant portion of Dr. Rackl's work has focused on PFAS. She has supported clients in understanding and responding to evolving federal and state regulations regarding PFAS, microplastics, 1,4-dioxane, bisphenols, metals, and other chemicals of concern. Her experience includes PFAS source assessment, manufacturing root-cause analysis, water and industrial wastewater treatment, assessment of analytical chemistry data, and evaluation of potential PFAS releases following industrial fires and explosions. In addition to her work involving PFAS and chemical contamination, Dr. Rackl has extensive experience investigating complex microbial contamination matters involving critical emerging opportunistic microbial pathogens such as Legionella, Mycobacterium (Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC)), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Her work spans drinking water distribution and storage infrastructure, large building plumbing systems, and manufacturing operations. Her microbial contamination expertise focuses on helping clients assess contamination risks, identify root causes, evaluate remediation strategies, and address operational and regulatory concerns. Dr. Rackl also extends her contamination expertise to product liability, product stewardship, and compliance matters. As organizations navigate an increasingly complex landscape of federal and state chemicals-of-concern regulations beyond California's Proposition 65, Dr. Rackl helps clients address the challenges of these nuanced regulations and stay ahead of the rapidly changing environment by developing sustainable product stewardship programs and evaluating contamination risks across product lines, manufacturing operations, and supply chains. Her experience includes supporting matters involving PFAS-related false advertising claims, Proposition 65 claims, and other product-related matters that often require critical evaluation of analytical chemistry data. "Our clients are facing growing challenges around PFAS, microbial contamination, and product liability," said Managing Director Eric Guyer. "Sarahann has a remarkable ability to get to the root cause of these issues and help clients make sense of complex scientific and regulatory issues. We're thrilled to welcome her to the team." Before joining Secretariat, Dr. Rackl served as a Principal Engineer at a multinational engineering and scientific consulting firm, where she advised clients across a broad range of environmental, water quality, product stewardship, and regulatory matters. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation for helping organizations solve complex scientific and engineering challenges while effectively communicating technical issues to regulators, legal counsel, business leaders, and other stakeholders. Dr. Rackl earned her PhD and MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder and her BS in Biology from the College of William & Mary. She is a licensed Professional Engineer and an active member of the American Water Works Association. Latest insights. Article | july 15, 2026. eDiscovery is entering a new era, where AI-powered review and chat-based communications are challenging assumptions about data completeness and requiring organisations to focus on governance, explainability, and defensible decision-making. News | july 8, 2026. The continued growth of e-bike adoption has been accompanied by risks related to lithium-ion batteries, including fires and explosions. Recent developments in incident data, standards, and litigation trends suggest several important considerations for manufacturers, distributors, insurers, and counsel. Article | june 30, 2026. FCPA enforcement trends analyzed by geography. Discover where bribery risk is concentrated and how it impacts global compliance, investigations and risk management.

Secretariat
May 13th, 2026
World-Renowned Biomechanics and wearable technology expert Dr. Scott McLean joins Secretariat as Managing Director.

World-Renowned Biomechanics and wearable technology expert Dr. Scott McLean joins Secretariat as Managing Director. May 13, 2026 Dr. McLean brings industry-leading biomechanics and wearable technology expertise to Secretariat, strengthening the firm's ability to address complex, technology-driven disputes. Secretariat is pleased to welcome Dr. Scott McLean as a Managing Director to its growing Engineering Sciences practice. A leading global expert in biomechanics and wearable technology, Dr. McLean brings more than two decades of experience in applying these unique skills to advise and support high-profile large-scale clients in developing, integrating, and applying various technology solutions to better understand and enhance human health, wellness, and performance. Dr. McLean regularly provides expert testimony and advisory support across product liability, sports and fitness equipment, and wearable technology intellectual property disputes, primarily involving patents and trade secrets. In his work, Dr. McLean draws on deep industry expertise spanning 3-D motion capture, wearable sensors, medical imaging, cadaveric and mechanical testing, computational modeling, and artificial intelligence (AI), enabling him to conduct rigorous evaluations of user-product interactions under both laboratory and real-world conditions. A recognized leader in his field, Dr. McLean has developed innovative biomechanical techniques that integrate sensing and AI technologies to help clients assess product performance, analyze user behaviors, and evaluate risk in real-world use-case settings. Beyond litigation, Dr. McLean advises clients in the military, pharmaceutical, and digital health sectors on the development, validation, and deployment of wearable technologies to monitor and predict personalized health, wellness, and performance outcomes for these unique populations. He also advises technology development and technology integration clients on how to best navigate growing data accuracy and reliability, legal, and regulatory challenges as wearable technologies transition from consumer products to more targeted medical monitoring devices. "I've known Scott for many years, and the impact of his work in the biomechanics and wearable technology industries has been truly exceptional," said Eric Guyer, Managing Director. "He brings a tremendous depth of expertise, intellectual rigor, and a thoughtful approach to all he does. I'm genuinely excited to welcome him to Secretariat and for our clients to benefit from his leadership." Before joining Secretariat, Dr. McLean served as a Principal at a multinational engineering and scientific consulting firm. He was previously Director of Innovation Research at Fitbit, where he played a key role in bringing multiple wearable products to market globally, and a Professor at the University of Michigan working extensively with high-profile sports and military sectors. Earlier in his career, he held research and leadership roles at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. McLean earned his PhD in Orthopedic Biomechanics from the University of Queensland in Australia, and obtained his MSc in Biomechanics from the same university. He holds a distinguished research record that includes more than 60 peer-reviewed publications, more than 100 conference presentations, and more than $7 million in federal and private funding to support his research. He also brings exceptional academic and industry credibility, having held senior leadership roles within the American College of Sports Medicine, the International Society of Biomechanics, and the Consumer Technology Association - where he helped shape actionable standards for the development and evaluation of wearable health technologies. Latest insights. Article | may 21, 2026. Nicolas Suarez, an economist at Secretariat, together with Pascaline Dupas and Zhongyi Tang, present "A New Perspective on Spatial Heterogeneity in African Development", which addresses the long standing debate on the effect of national institutions on development outcomes. Article | may 19, 2026. In a recent Law360 article, Amran Nawaz and Ralph Stobwasser examine how MAE provisions are being tested amid ongoing regional disruption and the financial analysis needed to support or challenge them. Article | may 14, 2026. Ralph Stowasser and Tarek Bleik contributed a chapter to the GIR Europe, Middle East and Africa Investigations Review 2026, "The Convergence of Anti-corruption, Counter-fraud and Financial Integrity in the GCC: What it Means for Investigations", examining how financial crime enforcement and investigative expectations are evolving across the region.