Lessons from a 40-Year Career Yielding to Managing Construction Claims Across the Middle East

When Michel Salem arrived on the campus of the American University of Beirut in 1983 to pursue his MBA, he had no intention of spending the next four decades in construction consultancy. However, a chance encounter with his former Quantity Surveying instructor, who happened to be the Country Manager of DG Jones' Lebanon office, changed everything.

"He offered me to work with DGJ on a part-time basis while undertaking the MBA programme," Michel recalls. "I never knew that I was about to serve for more than four decades in the Group."

What began as a part-time role evolved into a career spanning continents and disciplines, from quantity surveying and cost consultancy to leading construction claims management on some of the Middle East's most significant projects. Now retiring as Board Director and Head of Contracts and Claims, Michel reflects on the lessons, landmark projects, and relationships that defined his journey.

A Career Built One Step at a Time

Michel's trajectory through the firm mirrors DG Jones' own expansion across the region. After completing his Bachelor's degree in Construction Economics at RMIT in Melbourne, Australia, he took on the role of General Manager for the firm's Fiji office in 1993. Subsequent appointments saw him lead operations in Egypt, Jordan, and, most recently, Cyprus, contributing directly to establishing or re-establishing the firm's legal presence in four countries.

"I witnessed the company growing from circa 70 employees globally in 1983 to 700 employees in the Middle East region in 2025," he notes. "I also witnessed the company growing in the number of registered offices."

Throughout this expansion, Michel's expertise deepened across disciplines central to construction contract administration, from Quantity Surveying and Cost Estimation to Tender Documentation, Property Valuation, Claims Management, and Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Landmark Projects and Lasting Impact

Among the projects that stand out across four decades, Michel points to several that shaped both his career and the firm's reputation in construction dispute resolution.

The Denarau Island Resort Project in Nadi, Fiji Islands, where he served as Assistant Project Manager and office manager. The Beirut International Airport, a challenging US$400 million undertaking where he worked as a Senior Quantity Surveyor. The US$2.7 billion Sidra Medical and Research Centre in Doha, Qatar, where he led contracts and claims management. And more recently, the successful delivery of a mega claim management assignment worth US$15 million in fees for a client in Saudi Arabia.

Perhaps his most enduring contribution, however, lies in building capability rather than structures. Michel championed the establishment of an in-house construction claims and dispute resolution team, a strategic move that centralised Alternative Dispute Resolution expertise across the Group and continues to serve clients on complex projects throughout the Middle East construction sector.

Navigating Challenges with Resilience

When asked about difficult periods, Michel reflects on the COVID-19 pandemic, a crisis compounded for DG Jones by the financial situation in Lebanon, which affected both a major office and the company headquarters. His response was pragmatic, introducing controlled remote working arrangements to maintain deliverables and helping relocate headquarters to a more stable environment.

It is this blend of adaptability and steadiness that Michel believes has underpinned the firm's longevity. "The fact that the company was being owned by its senior and talented employees has raised the feeling of belonging," he explains, "which in turn contributed big time to its growth and success."

Wisdom for the Next Generation

For those stepping into leadership roles in construction claims management or contract administration, Michel offers counsel shaped by experience: "Be tolerant, patient, and persevere to achieve set goals." He emphasises the importance of strong academic foundations paired with relevant experience and interpersonal skills, qualities he hopes to see in his successor.

His aspirations for the firm's future are both ambitious and grounded in the values he has long championed. "It would be a great legacy after my retirement to see the company pursuing the values I always strived for, growing and succeeding further," he says. "To see the company go public on the stock exchange during my lifetime would be a dream."

Looking Ahead

As he prepares for retirement, Michel plans to reconnect with the pursuits that professional demands required him to set aside, spending time with family and the many friendships built within DG Jones, returning to neglected hobbies, and dedicating more hours to reading and learning.

His parting reflections carry the wisdom of someone who has spent a career balancing ambition with perspective:

"Be kind and honest, it pays. People will remember your actions and will forget your job title, and relations are the real long-term investment."

"Work will always ask for more. Take your work seriously, but always guard the time needed for family, health, and friends."

"Success comes at a price. If you elect to pursue it, be prepared to cope with all its pros and cons."

Among his fondest memories is one that speaks to the culture Michel found at DG Jones from the beginning, a thoughtful and unexpected gift from the late Donald G. Jones himself, sent to welcome Michel's son into the world in Melbourne back in 1989. It is a small gesture that captures something essential about the firm and about the man who has helped shape it for over 40 years.

DG Jones' Contracts and Claims division, built on the foundation Michel Salem established, supports clients navigating complex construction disputes across the MENA region. Explore our Claims Management and Dispute Resolution services.