News

ATLANTA, August 3, 2021 – Secretariat, the global expert services and litigation consulting firm, today announced the acquisition of international arbitration and dispute advisory firm Versant Partners. The acquisition continues Secretariat’s strategic global expansion and significantly enhances the firm’s damages and valuations capabilities. Together, the two firms are among the most renowned names in international arbitration, both being named in the Top 10 of Global Arbitration Review’s 2021 Expert Witness Firms’ Power Index.

“Versant has rapidly become a formidable player in the world of international arbitration with one of the strongest reputations for quality, service, and knowledge all wrapped into one impressive team,” says Secretariat Managing Director Don Harvey. “When conversations started about bringing our capabilities together, we quickly knew the sum was a whole lot more compelling than the individual parts. I’m ecstatic for what this powerful combination means for our clients and our growing team.”

"We can’t imagine a better fit than Secretariat. Our firms share the same core values, passion for the work we do, and unwavering commitment to providing best-in-class expertise,” says Versant Co-Founder and Partner Kiran Sequeira. “Secretariat’s global reach and complementary service offerings will enhance our ability to solve our clients’ most complex and challenging problems. We look forward to contributing to the firm’s future growth and success as a combined business that is a clear market leader in international disputes.”

Versant was founded in Washington, DC in 2017 by Partners Garrett Rush, Kiran Sequeira, and Matthew Shopp, with Partner Travis Taylor establishing a London office in 2019. The firm’s experts and consultants have been engaged in more than 100 international arbitrations and commercial litigations for claimants and respondents in similar proportions, lending to the credibility of the firm’s professionals as independent, unbiased experts.

“I have watched as a friend, colleague, and competitor as Versant’s practice has grown and flourished over the past four years,” says Secretariat Managing Director Howard Rosen. “I have always admired their professional approach to providing expert work. Their culture and commitment to excellence fits perfectly with the environment we’ve created at Secretariat, and they add impressive damages and valuations talent to our team.”

Originally founded as a construction delay expert services firm, today Secretariat has grown to nearly 300 professionals globally with additional dispute and litigation consulting capabilities in construction quantum, valuations, economic damages, forensic accounting, labor and employment, antitrust, and intellectual property. The Versant acquisition continues the firm’s focus on deepening current capabilities and adding new services, which includes the establishment of the Secretariat Economists practice formed through the acquisition of Economists Incorporated in June 2021.