Lucien Bou Chaaya is Trinity’s Global Head of Extractive Industries and is based in Dubai.

Prior to joining Trinity in 2021, Lucien was a Senior Associate in the Natural Resources, Energy and Infrastructure group of Herbert Smith Freehills. He started his career at a leading law firm in Beirut before joining Herbert Smith Freehills’s Paris office in 2013.

Lucien advises key players in the mining industry, including multinational corporations, investors, governments and financial institutions on strategic investments, transactions, crisis management and disputes, including international arbitration. His work spans multiple jurisdictions with a particular focus on mining, oil and gas, energy and infrastructure projects in Africa, the Middle East and France.

Lucien plays a central role in strategic investments, divestments, disputes and legislative reforms in emerging jurisdictions. His understanding of legal and regulatory systems, combined with strong negotiation skills and insight into various business cultures and geopolitical dynamics in Africa and the Middle East, has made him a trusted advisor for major industry players navigating these evolving markets. He has a particular knowledge of Arabophone and Francophone Africa’s local and regional legal and regulatory systems, including OHADA, CEMAC and UEMOA and a strong network of local contacts.

Lucien is recognised as one of the 100 most influential lawyers in Africa by Jeune Afrique and Africa Business Plus. He is a frequent speaker at international industry conferences and an active member of several professional organisations.  

Lucien is qualified in France and Lebanon, and speaks, reads and writes Arabic, French and English. Lucien holds an LL.M in business law in Arab Countries from La Sorbonne University in Paris, a master’s degree in private law, a BA in law and a BA in political science from Saint-Joseph University in Beirut.