J.S. Held

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also called “forever chemicals” because they do not break down in the environment or human body, are a leading environmental and public health risk. The persistence of these chemicals and the risk of water, soil, food, and air pollution present widespread exposure globally. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed updates to the 2026 Multi‑Sector General Permit (MSGP) introduce new PFAS Indicator Monitoring requirements for industrial stormwater discharges. The requirements represent a significant expansion of compliance and are expected to influence state-level permits nationwide. J.S. Held environmental expert Bill Stephens, PhD, shares insights into the EPA’s proposed updates and why this matters across regulated industries. Topics covered include: • The use of PFAS across industrial and consumer products • Reasons why PFAS sampling is proposed under the 2026 MSGP • Key provisions of the five-year NPDES permit • Sector impacts and what facilities should prepare for To read the article, visit: jsheld.com/insights/artic… #FindYourExpert #StormwaterTesting #PFAS #ForeverChemicals #WorldWaterDay

Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States, and one of the most common and destructive natural events worldwide. In coastal areas, storm surge brings powerful, repetitive wave action that threatens life safety and property. In this article, Certified Floodplain Manager Michael Rimoldi analyzes: • The key differences between flooding and storm surge • The definitions of flood zones versus evacuation zones • Protective measures for buildings constructed in flood and evacuation zones To learn more, visit: jsheld.com/insights/resou… #FindYourExpert #DisasterPlanning #FloodSafetyAwareness #SevereWeather #PropertyDamage

Amidst global uncertainty and financial market volatility, high-net-worth individuals are exploring new and innovative approaches to unlock liquidity. As a result, some financial institutions are offering collateral loans secured by fine art. But how do these loans work, and what are the pros and cons for the owners of these valuable art assets? In this article, Amanda McConaha, Michael Alexander, and Dalton Campbell, discuss: • How fine art is evaluated and valued for lending purposes • Key stages involved in conducting a fine art collateral appraisal • The structure and mechanics of art‑backed loan arrangements • Benefits and risks that both borrowers and lenders should understand • The critical role qualified appraisers play in ensuring accurate and compliant valuations To learn more, visit: jsheld.com/insights/artic… #FindYourExpert #PersonalProperty #CollateralLoans #FineArtAppraisal

In an era of increasing global trade fragmentation and constantly shifting tariffs, failing to build resilient and ethical supply chains carries real consequences, from financial and legal to reputational. In this article, Andrea Korney examines why companies must adopt integrated supply chain governance that addresses tariff exposure, ethical sourcing, and regulatory compliance. She highlights how multidisciplinary expertise can enable companies to identify hidden liabilities, structure more effective contractual agreements, meet stakeholder expectations, and improve competitive positioning in complex, emerging global markets. To learn more, visit: jsheld.com/insights/artic… #SupplyChain #EthicalSourcing #FindYourExpert

Don’t miss our interactive panel discussions at the upcoming @DRICommunity Construction Law Seminar. Details about these sessions are included below. “Renewable Energy in New Home Build – Benefits, Considerations, Risks, and Issues for the Design and Build Team?” • J.S. Held Panelist: Timothy Dowden | Renewable Energy • Thursday, March 26 | 10:45 AM “The A-Team – Getting Hannibal, Face, Murdock, and BA to Solve Your Problems” • J.S. Held Panelist: Ron Mallory | Building Consulting • Friday, March 27 | 11:25 AM If you’ll be in Nashville, be sure to connect with Dori Marlin, Keith Olsen, Casey Hoyt, P.E., and our speakers throughout the seminar. For more information, visit: dri.org/education-cle/… #FindYourExpert #DRI #ConstructionLaw

The insurance industry is undergoing rapid transformation as automation, data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) are increasingly embedded in claims-handling workflows. These technologies deliver substantial value when applied to structured, repeatable tasks, but defensible claims outcomes still ultimately rely on expert judgment. In this article, Travis Sommerfeld highlights the role AI plays in handling property insurance claims, while also discussing what insurers and legal advisors should know about the risks and liabilities that arise when failing to balance AI with human expertise. To learn more, visit: jsheld.com/insights/artic… #FindYourExpert #PropertyClaims #Insurance #AI #ArtificialIntelligence

Don’t miss our two expert panels at the 2026 @TheCLMalliance Annual Conference in Lake Buena Vista, FL, on March 25 – 27. Additional details are included below. Water, Water Everywhere: Inside and Out • J.S. Held Panelist: Michelle Feduccia, PE | Forensic Engineering • March 27 | 10:00 am From Ashes to Evidence: Post-Wildfire Assessment and Litigation Defense Strategies • J.S. Held Panelist: Bill Zoeller | Industrial Hygiene & The Built Environment • March 27 | 11:15 am Be sure to stop by our exhibit table to connect with Steven Carabases, Ryan Triplett, and our speakers throughout the event. For more information, visit: events.theclm.org/event/AC26/ove… #FindYourExpert #CLM2026 #ClaimsManagement #InsuranceDefense

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (@CDCgov) estimates that 48 million Americans experience foodborne illness each year, and about 128,000 of those are hospitalized. With more than 250 known pathogens and additional chemical or physical contaminants, identifying the true source of an outbreak is complex and requires proven expertise. In this article, Chief Scientist Allison Stock, PhD, MPH, MS, and renowned epidemiology and microbiology expert Jim Beix, MPH, REHS, examine: • The complexity behind identifying foodborne illness sources • The top pathogens responsible for US foodborne cases • How scientific investigation reveals what symptoms alone cannot • Why expert-led analysis is critical to risk management To learn more, visit: jsheld.com/insights/artic… #FindYourExpert #FoodSafety #PoisonPreventionWeek

In high-risk environments, lack of transparency in contractor services is not just a weakness; it signifies a fundamental failure in operational risk management. In a recent webinar in partnership with @velocityehs, J.S. Held expert Andrea Korney discussed how: • Stronger contractor qualification frameworks are increasingly essential for business • Automation is changing how safety teams handle risk • Real-time visibility plays a key role in efficient emergency response and safer worksites To watch the full webinar, visit: info.ehs.com/See-More-Risk-… #FindYourExpert #SupplyChainRisk #WorkplaceSafety #EnterpriseRiskManagement

Wildfire damage claims are distinct from traditional property claims, often resulting in community-wide construction, environmental remediation, and recovery projects. In this article, J.S. Held experts examine the aftermath of the Palisades and Eaton wildfires and explain how coverage interpretation emerged as a key challenge to recovery, compounded by regulatory complexity, access and sequencing constraints, labor and material availability, documentation quality, and expectation-setting. They also offer practical guidance for insurers and claims leaders to streamline response to future wildfires. To learn more, visit: jsheld.com/insights/artic… #FindYourExpert #Wildfire #PropertyClaims #PalisadesFire #EatonFire

What happens when a luxury property dispute hinges on disclosure, expert evidence, and the unexpected question of whether moths qualify as “vermin”? A severe moth infestation at a Notting Hill residence set the stage for a complex, high-stakes dispute involving buyers, sellers, counsel, and industry experts, raising difficult questions around misrepresentation, and judicial scrutiny of expert testimony and damages. In this episode of “From Variables to Verdict,” J.S. Held construction disputes expert and podcast host Dan Miles is joined by James Frampton (Keating Chambers) and Lucy Pearson (King & Spalding) to examine the court’s reasoning, the evidence that shaped the outcome, and why credible expert input – paired with pragmatic, decisive remedies – proved critical. Listen to hear how clear documentation, practical valuation, and expert insight informed the court’s approach: • Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the… • Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/2uTJ7a… • YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=Hr-v-m…

We are proud to announce that Senior High-Net-Worth Appraisal Specialist Moira McKee is shortlisted in the Woman of the Year – Business Growth category at the @Citywealth @powerwomenaward, taking place on March 18th in New York. This nomination recognizes women leaders driving excellence and impact across the private wealth industry in the US. Moira has considerable expertise in fine and decorative arts, estate projects, and advisory services for global clients. She specializes in valuations, collection management, art market analysis, and expert testimony related to estate planning, cultural property, and dispute resolution. Moira is joined by six female senior executive nominees in this category. We look forward to the ceremony and congratulate Moira on this achievement. For more information, visit: citywealthmag.com/citywealth-for… #FindYourExpert #ArtAppraisal #EstatePlanning

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now a major form of intangible capital that can be protected, valued, insured, and monetized like any other corporate asset. However, many small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) fail to recognize AI as Intellectual Property™ (IP) and treat it as enterprise capital. In this article, IP experts James E. Malackowski, Eric Carnick, and David Ngo outline a clear taxonomy of AI assets and provide SMEs with an actionable roadmap for turning AI into a protected revenue-generating asset. They also offer real-world SME use cases and discuss critical IP tools – copyright, patents, trade secrets, trademarks, and contracts needed to both safeguard and commercialize AI. To learn more, visit: jsheld.com/insights/artic… #FindYourExpert #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #IntellectualProperty #IP #IntangibleAssets

J.S. Held’s Surety practice was retained by legal counsel for a large residential home builder facing multiple lawsuits for work performed across properties in various stages of construction. The allegations highlighted similar construction defects related to roofing, stucco, concrete, drywall, and leaks in windows and sliding glass doors. During site visits to each home, J.S. Held construction defect experts conducted visual site observations, captured photo-documentation, and recorded the results from intrusive testing. Our team provided both preliminary and final expert reports addressing all alleged defects, and when applicable, a scope of repair and the cost of repair per defect in both reports for issues the builder had not already addressed. J.S. Held Senior Vice President Tom Tomeo testified at a deposition on files still in dispute, with most settling prior to the deposition. The repair scopes and cost analyses from our team helped result in settlements below initial demands. To learn more about the engagement and how our team advised, visit: jsheld.com/case-studies/s… #FindYourExpert #ConstructionDefects #ConstructionClaims #Surety

It’s #WomenInConstructionWeek – a time to celebrate women's invaluable contributions, achievements, and varied roles in the construction industry. Across J.S. Held, we have remarkable women advising clients throughout the construction lifecycle – from proactive project advisory through construction claim and dispute resolution. Their ability to connect technical and financial insights with real-world application reflects the integrated approach that defines our work, bringing together engineers, scientists, financial analysts, and strategic advisors to help stakeholders navigate challenges and realize value. The graphics below share a few of their stories, touching on what is most fulfilling about their work and the advice they would offer to women pursuing careers in construction. To learn more about the multidisciplinary construction expertise our team delivers, visit: jsheld.com/markets-served… #FindYourExpert #WomensHistoryMonth #InternationalWomensDay

In court cases, visualizations and other demonstratives produced by experts can be invaluable in illustrating the facts of vehicle accidents, industrial incidents, wildfires, use of force, or professional malpractice to the judge, jury members, and opposing counsel. In this article, we examine types of courtroom visualizations commonly used by accident reconstruction experts and how they have become a critical tool in courtroom strategy, helping legal counsel present analysis and findings with clarity, scientific rigor, and persuasive force. Learn more at: jsheld.com/insights/artic… #FindYourExpert #AccidentReconstruction #Litigation #TrialStrategy

A skier attempting a 360-degree jump from a catwalk collided with another skier passing below, resulting in neck and shoulder injuries to the second skier. Our accident reconstruction team – including forensic engineers and visualization experts – was retained to investigate and reproduce the event digitally using 3D laser scanning, camera-matching photogrammetry, and a physics-based analysis of projectile motion. Our team determined the skier’s takeoff angle, horizontal distance, vertical drop, and resting position. Empirical testing with similar skiers was also conducted, confirming the method's accuracy and speed estimates. The final visualization can be viewed in the video below. For additional examples of our work and to learn more about our visualization expertise, visit: jsheld.com/areas-of-exper… #FindYourExpert #VisualizationServices #AccidentReconstruction

Evolving and inconsistent regulations are forcing a shift in the food industry, making it increasingly difficult for companies to maintain compliance and operational efficiency. J.S. Held food safety and public health expert Jim Beix, MPH, REHS, recently shared insights into this landscape at the National Restaurant & Retail Defense Association annual conference, examining how: • Food additive bans are gaining momentum • Inconsistencies in regulations are creating operational challenges • Ongoing regulatory and legal challenges will lead to additional shifts. For additional insights from James, view the carousel below. To learn more about how our experts provide solutions for legal, risk, and compliance challenges, visit: jsheld.com/areas-of-exper… #FindYourExpert #ProductLiability #GovernmentRegulation #FoodSafety