J.S. Held LLC

Cross-border construction disputes continue to challenge how effectively parties prepare, present, and resolve highly technical claims with significant financial stakes. During Paris Arbitration Week 2026, J.S. Held construction disputes leaders Francis Sirard, Eng, MBA, C.Med, and Gary Blackburn joined the panel “Cross-Border Disputes: Where Construction Meets Arbitration” to share their technical perspectives on the evolving pressures shaping international construction arbitration. Drawing on extensive experience across jurisdictions and complex dispute environments, they underscored that: • Early procedural errors can decide the case, as missed pre‑arbitration steps often trigger jurisdictional objections • Clear, concise narratives make delay, disruption, and defect issues far more persuasive to tribunals • Tribunal composition can matter, especially when disputes hinge on technical issues • Strategic mediation and transparent expert analysis can speed resolution and lead to more practical, commercially grounded outcomes For additional insights from Francis and Gary, view the carousel below. To learn how our experts support clients – from quantum and delay analysis to expert testimony in construction disputes and arbitrations – visit: https://lnkd.in/gHt36dfv   #FindYourExpert #ExpertWitness #InternationalArbitration #DisputeResolution #ParisArbitrationWeek

J.S. Held proudly supports Autism Acceptance Month, celebrating the strengths and unique contributions of individuals with autism, while promoting greater understanding, inclusion, and support. We encourage you to join us to spread awareness and acceptance so that all individuals with autism feel appreciated, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. #FindYourExpert #AutismAcceptance #AutismAwareness #CelebrateDifferences

Accident reconstruction experts Dana Thornton, M.S., P.E., and Rheana F., MS, PE, will join a panel discussion at the American Bar Association TIPS Motor Vehicle Product Liability Litigation Conference on "Full Circle: Using Modern Technologies to Bring 'Old School' Presentation Methods to Trial," on April 16, from 10:20-11:00 AM. Topics will include: • Modern tools transforming accident reconstruction • Ways these technologies produce tangible vehicle and scene models • How this helps jurors more clearly visualize and understand key collision facts If you'll be in Scottsdale, be sure to connect with Hannah Putnam, Robert Rauschenberger, Ph.D., and our speakers throughout the conference. For more information, visit: https://lnkd.in/eJZca3UR #FindYourExpert #ABA #AccidentReconstruction #ForensicEngineering

Overheating events are one of the most common and costly risks for datacenters. When temperatures exceed safe operating limits, critical equipment can fail, service can be disrupted, and long-term reliability might be affected. Troy Bates, EVP of Equipment Damage Assessment and Mitigation, analyzes critical datacenter risks in the article linked below, including: • Distinctions between overheating and over‑temperature events and how they occur • Evaluation and validation of equipment damage due to overheating • Key considerations for facility managers, insurance professionals, and counsel after an overheating incident takes place To learn more, visit: https://lnkd.in/gFb88EAj   #FindYourExpert #DataCenters #DigitalInfrastructure #EquipmentDamage #EquipmentSafety

Following a fatal accident on an amusement park water raft ride, our visualization experts, including senior visualization analyst Ethan Helms, were brought in to document the scene and ride conditions leading to the incident. The team analyzed the raft, channel, and other factors using a comprehensive set of data sources, including: • Video footage taken from a raft following the one that flipped • On-site photography and 3D laser scanning of the ride and raft involved • Drone‑based aerial imagery of the area The dataset was used to develop detailed 3D models and real-time water simulations. The resulting digital reconstructions (video example below) illustrated how the incident occurred and what caused the raft to flip. For additional examples of our work and to learn more about our visualization expertise, visit: https://lnkd.in/gQdPmzPp   #FindYourExpert #VisualizationServices #AccidentReconstruction

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming how organizations operate — but are we managing the risks as rigorously as we're pursuing the opportunities? J.S. Held's expert analysis examines AI across the full business spectrum: from recognizing AI systems as valuable intellectual property (IP) and improving M&A valuations, to navigating liability exposure in AI-driven insurance claims processing and ensuring the integrity of AI-assisted evidence in litigation. AI is accelerating eDiscovery workflows, enabling fraud detection in complex investigations, and driving digital transformation in heavy industry — yet each application demands disciplined governance, data authenticity safeguards, and transparent expert oversight to manage regulatory and operational risks. J.S. Held helps clients navigate these challenges with confidence, offering deep technical, financial, and industry expertise across IP valuation, litigation support, and responsible AI deployment. To explore our latest perspectives, research, and commentary on AI, visit: https://lnkd.in/gHvyhkUT #FindYourExpert #AILiteracyDay #ArtificalIntelligence #AI

J.S. Held recently opened our Phoenix User Research Lab (URL) to attendees of the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC) Winter Meeting. Those in attendance discovered how science, technology, and strategy come together in the lab, and got a behind-the-scenes look at how products are tested, analyzed, and refined for performance and legal defensibility. Our human factors experts guided attendees through live demonstrations of motion capture and augmented reality tools, demonstrated how product claims are stress-tested, and explained how user experience (UX) research can identify design flaws before they result in disputes. To learn more about how our human factors experts support evidence-based designs and decision-making, visit: https://lnkd.in/gbetbv6W   #FindYourExpert #HumanFactors #UserExperience #UX

#SevereWeatherPreparednessWeek serves as a timely reminder that hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, extreme heat, and other weather events can disrupt business operations and threaten people’s well-being. Establishing preparedness plans, and practicing them, can help protect lives and property when severe weather strikes. When establishing a weather preparedness plan, keep in mind these fundamental steps: • Your plan should establish primary and backup communication methods for employees and families • It should address stocking and maintaining comprehensive emergency kits • It should identify suitable shelter locations, both on-site and off-site • Practicing evacuation and shelter-in-place procedures are critical before there is an urgent situation Follow @JS_Held_Weather on X for weather risk updates and analysis from our forensic meteorologists, Anna Head, GA-CEM, Kaj O'Mara, CCM, CBM, and Dan Schreiber: https://lnkd.in/grGUS9DU   #FindYourExpert #EmergencyPreparedness #EmergencyManagement #DisasterPlanning

General conditions and their related costs can frequently cause misalignment between parties when builder’s risk claims arise. In this article, Melissa Impastato, Matt Weismuller, P.E., and Megan Rac discuss what general conditions are within construction projects, how they relate to overhead and profit, and why they can be difficult to evaluate in builder’s risk insurance claims. The authors provide real-world, experience-based guidance on the complexities of these claims, examining three common scenarios to show when general conditions are compensable and highlighting the risk of duplicative recovered costs. To learn more, visit: https://lnkd.in/gava7a5S #FindYourExpert #ConstructionClaims #BuildersRisk #GeneralConditions

Construction has modernised its equipment, materials, and digital infrastructure — yet even with the smarter safety promised by Construction 4.0, the industry still faces growing cultural risks, as stress, fatigue, and psychological strain become some of the most significant challenges on site. ESG and EHS expert Andrea Korney will join a live debate hosted by EcoOnline on “Is a Silent Worker Wellbeing Crisis Holding Construction Safety Back?” on March 26 at 11:00 AM ET. Topics will include: • How psychological risk is addressed • Construction 4.0’s impact on safety culture and leadership • How deadlines, talent shortages, and undertrained supervisors compound psychological risk • Practical shifts to close the psychological safety gap • Technology as a support for, rather than replacement of, human judgement and leadership For more information and to register, visit: https://lnkd.in/eEr5-Gh5 #FindYourExpert #ESG #EHS #WorkplaceSafety