A major industrial enterprise faced a lawsuit under CERCLA for its historical operations at an oil refinery in southern Illinois. The dispute centered on whether refinery activities in the 1940s involved materials that met CERCLA’s definition of hazardous substances or fell within the petroleum exclusion and standard operational practices of the time, and whether the company disposed of hazardous substances and should share environmental response costs associated with the site. J.S. Held environmental experts conducted a detailed liability assessment, supported by archival research, to reconstruct refinery operations, outputs, and waste-handling practices during the company’s period of ownership. By evaluating how materials were used, reused, managed, and analyzed, our team presented an expert report addressing the allegations, which resulted in a decisive, favorable settlement for the client. To learn more about the engagement, visit: jsheld.com/case-studies/expe… #FindYourExpert #HeldTogether #CERCLA #EnvironmentalDisputes

Automotive safety systems have evolved from reactive protections that reduce collision severity to advanced technologies designed to help prevent collisions altogether. In this article, J.S. Held accident reconstruction expert Shady Attalla, P.Eng., CFEI, explores the progression from early seatbelt and airbag innovations to today’s electronic stability control (ESC), blind-spot and pedestrian detection, and collision avoidance systems. He highlights how modern vehicles increasingly rely on sensors and automated responses to address potential hazards faster than human drivers can. To learn more, visit: jsheld.com/insights/articles… #FindYourExpert #HeldTogether #NationalSafetyMonth #AutomotiveSafety

Can an expert’s opinion on the standard of care be confined solely to the four corners of a contract? In this article, Dr. Ben Daee examines how courts in recent Canadian and US construction disputes have scrutinized, and sometimes limited, expert opinions on the professional standard of care. Topics discussed include: • How standard of care extends beyond contracts when safety is implicated. • Why failure alone does not prove negligence. • Why code compliance is necessary but may still not be sufficient in satisfying the standard of care. • Why setting a higher bar may not necessarily guarantee a higher project delivery. • How expert framing materially shapes case risk. To learn more, visit: jsheld.com/insights/articles… #FindYourExpert #StandardOfCare #ConstructionDisputes

We are pleased to announce the acquisition of Shechter & Everett, LLP, a forensic accounting, litigation consulting, and business valuation firm specializing in high-stakes financial disputes involving family law and other civil litigation. Based in South Florida, Shechter & Everett brings decades of courtroom-tested expertise to help attorneys and courts resolve complex financial matters with precision and clarity. Through our combined platform, we are expanding our ability to support clients and their legal counsel in family law disputes nationwide — delivering deep knowledge of jurisdictional requirements, familiarity with local court systems and community dynamics, and proven expertise that holds up under the highest legal scrutiny. To learn more about the impact and value we provide clients as part of one integrated team, view the press release: jsheld.com/js-held-acquires-… #FindYourExpert #HeldTogether

Advances in commercial roofing design enable them to serve as the platform for energy systems, stormwater runoff, and overall temperature regulation. Despite this evolution, many commercial roofing failures still trace back to familiar exposures, including hail damage, water drainage issues, wind, and deferred maintenance. In this article, Dan Parker and Michelle Feduccia discuss: • Why a roof should be treated as an engineered, managed asset. • How many catastrophic losses remain predictable and preventable. • Why material selection must align with exposure, not trends. • How code‑aligned wind and drainage design drives insurance and lifecycle outcomes. • How restoration, QA/QC, and data‑driven maintenance unlock capital efficiency. To learn more, visit: jsheld.com/insights/articles… #FindYourExpert #HeldTogether #PropertyDamage #ForensicEngineering

Of the 320,000 clinical laboratories across the United States, most are operating as small businesses with razor-thin margins. Today, many of these labs face a perfect storm: reimbursement cuts, rising costs, aggressive audits driven by artificial intelligence (AI), and mounting regulatory pressure. Even fully compliant labs can see cash flow collapse under payment delays and heightened scrutiny fueled by a handful of high-profile fraud cases in recent years. When distress hits, a clinical lab’s survival needs to undergo legal, financial, and operational triage. In this article, J.S. Held restructuring experts Mike Bergthold and Quintin Brown, in partnership with co-author Samuel R. Maizel of @Dentons, explain why a rigorous, diagnostic approach to restructuring a distressed clinical lab is necessary before choosing a final approach, whether that is a reorganization, sale, or wind-down of the business. To learn more, visit: jsheld.com/insights/articles… #FindYourExpert #Bankruptcy #Restructuring #ClinicalLab #BankruptcyLaw #Section363

Construction delays can drive significant cost and schedule impacts, including extended equipment rentals, increased logistics and storage expenses, and delayed operations that defer revenue generation. Our Surety and forensic visualization teams collaborated to produce the video below, providing a clear, side-by-side view of the “as-planned” versus “as-built” project progression. By translating complex project data into a visual format, it enables stakeholders to better understand both the timing and scale of a construction delay. To learn more about our visualization capabilities and view additional examples of our work across industries and use cases, visit: jsheld.com/areas-of-expertis… #FindYourExpert #HeldTogether #VisualizationServices #ConstructionDelay

J.S. Held is recognized as a global leader in the inaugural release of the Legal 500 Disputes Services rankings, honoring firms that deliver exceptional support in complex litigation, arbitration, and investigations across jurisdictions. We are proud to receive Tier 1 rankings for Asset Tracing & Recovery (Global) and Forensic Accounting (US), as well as a Tier 2 ranking for Business Intelligence & Investigations (UK). This recognition reflects the strength of our global team and our role as a trusted partner in high-stakes disputes, delivering integrated forensic accounting, financial investigations, valuations, and expert testimony to help clients navigate complex matters with confidence. Informed by independent research, client feedback, and rigorous evaluation, these rankings underscore our ability to provide defensible, data-driven analyses that withstand scrutiny, reduce risk, and support informed decision-making. To learn more about how our experts handle complex financial investigations and disputes, visit: jsheld.com/about-us/news/js-… #FindYourExpert #HeldTogether #Legal500

#PrideMonth is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the voices of our LGBTQIA colleagues. Fostering a workplace culture where every individual feels respected, valued, and empowered is a fundamental principle of our organization. We believe inclusivity fosters authenticity, inspires everyone to reach their full potential, and drives our collective success. #HeldTogether #Pride2026

We’re pleased to share that J.S. Held complex construction disputes expert Mark Mills has been elected to the Society of Construction Law (SCL) Council. The SCL Council plays a central role in connecting the construction law community and advancing a wide range of initiatives, including educational seminars, industry conferences, thought leadership, mentoring initiatives, and collaboration with leading institutions. With a strong focus on inclusivity, innovation, and professional development, the Council continues to shape the future of construction law and practice. Mark’s election reflects both his commitment to the profession and the depth of his technical expertise, particularly in quantum analysis, the forensic assessment of damages, and the evaluation of complex project issues across major international matters. His experience and insight will support the Council’s continued work across the construction law community. Please join us in congratulating Mark as he begins his term. Learn more about how our experts support legal teams through complex construction disputes, visit: jsheld.com/areas-of-expertis… #FindYourExpert #HeldTogether #ConstructionLaw #SCL #InternationalArbitration

We are pleased to share that J.S. Held has been recognized as Valuations Consulting Firm of the Year in Arizona by The Lawyer Network. This honor — based on independent research and feedback from industry peers — reflects the strength of our forensic accounting and economics professionals, who specialize in economic damages, complex financial investigations, business valuation, and real property appraisal and advisory services. Across North America, our experienced valuation professionals deliver defensible, well-supported analyses and rebuttals in complex matters, backed by court-tested expertise, credentialed specialists, and the capabilities of a global firm. This latest recognition highlights our continued commitment to precision, credibility, and excellence. To learn more about our multidisciplinary valuation expertise, visit: jsheld.com/areas-of-expertis…

Construction Advisory expert Wiley Wright, along with Jonathan Mayo of Smith Currie Oles LLP, will present "Terminations for Convenience and Termination Settlement Proposals" at the @AGCofA Federal Contractors Conference, taking place June 8–10 in Washington, DC. This workshop will dive into key considerations contractors face when navigating federal contract terminations, from understanding the government’s rights and obligations to preparing and negotiating effective termination settlement proposals. Attendees will gain practical insights to help streamline the process, mitigate risk, protect recovery, and respond strategically. We are proud to be a Silver Sponsor of the conference, which brings together construction industry leaders and federal agency partners to explore evolving policies, procurement trends, and real-world project delivery challenges shaping today’s federal market. If you’ll be in Washington, DC, be sure to connect with Jason Ulmenstine, Katherine Stnons, Homer Winter, and Wiley throughout the conference. For more details and to register, visit: lnkd.in/eUwMnaex

The Atlanta Hawks NBA franchise faced significant exposure after suspected financial misconduct by a senior finance executive, raising questions around internal control failures, the scope of potential losses, and insurance recovery. Engaged by outside counsel, J.S. Held’s forensic accounting and investigations experts conducted a comprehensive internal investigation—including data collection and records review, multi‑year transactional analysis, damages quantification, and witness interview support—to determine how the misconduct occurred and assess the financial impact. Our independent findings supported the organization’s fidelity insurance recovery efforts and assisted law enforcement and prosecutors by organizing and clarifying complex financial evidence. Less than six months after discovery, the matter resulted in a guilty plea, a federal prison sentence, and restitution exceeding $3.8M, alongside a full recovery under the organization’s insurance policy. To learn more about the engagement, visit: jsheld.com/case-studies/exec… #FindYourExpert

In an era of increasing global trade fragmentation and constantly shifting tariffs, failing to build resilient and ethical supply chains carries significant financial, legal, and reputational consequences. 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/articles… #FindYourExpert #HeldTogether #SupplyChain #EthicalSourcing #WorldTradeMonth

Strong governance, accountability, and risk awareness are critical when financial and operational issues escalate—particularly in complex disputes and investigations. #InternalAuditAwarenessMonth serves as a timely reminder of the importance of disciplined oversight and the role it plays when issues surface. At J.S. Held, we support organizations and counsel navigating high-stakes financial challenges by bringing together forensic accounting, investigative rigor, and litigation support. Our work focuses on uncovering critical facts, assessing exposure, quantifying damages, and delivering clear, data-driven insights that inform timely, defensible decisions. By combining financial, technical, and analytical expertise, we help clients move from uncertainty to resolution—supporting accountability and enabling informed outcomes when it matters most. Learn how J.S. Held supports organizations and counsel when financial and operational issues escalate: jsheld.com/areas-of-expertis… #FindYourExpert #HeldTogether #ForensicAccounting #FinancialInvestigations

We are proud to be recognized as the top-ranked firm in the Overall Expert Witness category in the 2026 Best Of Daily Report awards by @lawdotcom. We also congratulate Dean Driskell, who is ranked #1 in the Individual Expert Witness (Economic) category. The Best Of Daily Report awards reflect feedback from the legal community and highlight the professionals and firms that lawyers trust most. Dean is widely recognized for his expertise in economic damages, valuation, and complex commercial disputes, with extensive experience serving as a testifying expert in high-stakes litigation and arbitration. Known for delivering clear, well-supported analyses in the most challenging matters, he is a trusted resource to counsel navigating complex financial matters. Across J.S. Held, our experts set the standard for economic damages and valuation in high-stakes litigation. We deliver court-tested, defensible analyses that meet the highest standards, supported by deep industry experience, multidisciplinary expertise, and a global bench of credentialed specialists. We are grateful to be recognized by the legal community for these honors, which reflect the strength and caliber of our team and the work we deliver. To learn more about our economic damages and valuations expertise, visit: jsheld.com/areas-of-expertis… #FindYourExpert #HeldTogether #ExpertWitness #EconomicDamages

As wildfires continue to increase in frequency and severity, the construction industry is responding by creating “fire-hardened” homes designed to withstand extreme heat, direct flames, and wind-driven embers. In this article, Travis Sommerfeld, Adam Norman, and Erik Fritzberg highlight key fire prevention and protection advancements in residential construction, including: • The capabilities of cutting-edge fire-resistant materials and other advanced building solutions • Benefits of innovative new construction techniques • Emerging technologies in the field of fire prevention and protection • How Malibu’s “Miracle Mansion” proves that designing for wildfire survivability works To learn more, visit: jsheld.com/insights/articles… #FindYourExpert #HeldTogether #WildfireSafety #FirePrevention

This Memorial Day, we pause to honor the individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their courage and selflessness remind us of the true cost of freedom, and we remember them with deep gratitude as we reflect on their enduring legacy.

While building safety is often viewed through a structural or code‑compliance lens, it is just as important to address the hidden risks inside a structure—those that can impact the safety and well-being of those who live and work there. As we observe #BuildingSafetyMonth, Bill Zoeller, Service Line Leader for Industrial Hygiene and the Built Environment, highlights the critical role industrial hygienists play in building safety. They identify, assess, and control environmental hazards, including air quality, chemical exposures, and other conditions that can impact occupant health, claims outcomes, and litigation. To learn more about our industrial hygiene expertise, visit: jsheld.com/areas-of-expertis… #FindYourExpert #HeldTogether #IndustrialHygiene #BuiltEnvironment