Africa's major copper producers, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, aim to capitalize on the rising demand for copper, driven by the growth of artificial intelligence and energy transition initiatives globally. These efforts include securing a share of mined metal for trade and negotiating deals with international companies. In this article published by @Reuters, J.S. Held strategic advisory and risk management expert Indigo Ellis discusses the critical role governments can play in building up the scope for locally controlled value addition, thereby increasing the government’s influence over the market for copper or cobalt, which is the ultimate aim. To learn more, visit: For additional insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with government involvement in copper trading, contact Indigo at indigo.ellis@jsheld.com. #FindYourExpert #Geopolitics #Copper #Africa

Every summer, we welcome interns across the firm to work alongside our experts to engage in exciting projects for our clients and contribute to initiatives focused on strengthening the firm, providing meaningful experience ahead of their post-graduate careers. One of our recent summer interns was Melanie Arias, who is a student at Saint Peter's University pursing a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. Watch the video below to hear Melanie share her experience working with our Digital Investigations & Discovery team. To learn more about our internship program and explore opportunities at J.S. Held for the next generation of professionals, visit: #FindYourExpert #Internship #SummerInternship

J.S. Held was engaged to represent a company, following the sale of its energy and power generation division to an international buyer, in a $5 million post-closing dispute over the net working capital calculation and final purchase price. Leveraging our expertise in M&A transactions, technical accounting, and post-closing purchase price disputes, we delivered: • Expertise in Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and its application to the balance sheet accounts in dispute • Arguments based on accounting principles outlined in the asset purchase agreement and the application of GAAP • In-depth analyses of the accounting entries/transactions underlying the balance sheet accounts • A 49-page initial report for arbitration • A 48-page rebuttal report to address the buyer’s positions • 34 pages of detailed response to the arbitrator’s initial questions The arbitrator ruled overwhelmingly in our favor, awarding our client 97.6% of the disputed amount. To learn more about the engagement, visit: #FindYourExpert #Accounting #MergersAndAcquisitions #Arbitration

We are pleased to announce the promotion of Joe Gulick, AIC, to Appraisals Service Line Lead within our Insurance Services division. Joe has 20+ years of construction and property damage claim consulting experience, specializing in appraisal, umpiring, damage assessment, and expert services in construction/property damage disputes. He will be supported by senior leadership, including Randy Ison, Jeromy Fielder, and Tim Woods, as we continue to grow our team of appraisers and umpires throughout North America. To learn more about Joe and the firm’s appraisal expertise, visit: #FindYourExpert #Appraisal #CommercialInsurance #PropertyDamage

A recent global survey of 1,400 sustainability executives showed that 58% of companies are engaging in “greenhushing” or intentionally decreasing their sustainability communications due to fear of facing government or public backlash. In the video below, Kimberly Logue Ortega discusses why greenhushing has become a trend and examines the consequences as they relate to litigation, reputational risks, and progress toward global sustainability goals. To learn more about our Environmental Risk & Compliance Consulting Services, visit: #FindYourExpert #Sustainability #Greenhushing

Corporations, governments, investors, and consumers have become more aware of how important the global supply chain is to the everyday function of society. Increasingly, the supply chain is impacted by a multilayering of risks, including natural disasters, geopolitical issues, vendor interconnectivity, and cyberattacks. In the video below, Vice President of Sustainability Andrea Korney discusses supply chain risks – and opportunities – examined in the 2025 J.S. Held Global Risk Report. To view the report, visit: #SupplyChain #OperationalRisk #GlobalRiskReport

J.S. Held was retained to conduct a forensic engineering investigation and render an opinion on the standard of care for the parties involved in constructing a mushroom composting facility. The focus of the engagement was on the paint application of the purlins and girts in the mushroom composting facility, which had experienced rapid corrosion shortly after construction was completed. Our experts analyzed project documentation, interviewed site representatives, conducted research, and performed technical assessments on-site as part of the investigation. Ultimately, it was determined that the paint used in lieu of the galvanized coating led to premature corrosion and did not comply with applicable standards for the facility type. To learn more about the engagement and the expertise we delivered, connect with Ben Daee, PhD, P.Eng, PE, by emailing him at bdaee@jsheld.com or Kenny Yip at kenny.yip@jsheld.com. #StructuralEngineering #ForensicEngineering #StandardOfCare #FindYourExpert

Stay informed on the latest recalls and product safety alerts from trusted sources like the @USCPSC, @US_FDA, and @NHTSAgov. Our Environmental, Health and Safety practice monitors these updates to help you navigate product risks and ensure your safety. Five new recalls were announced in January. For more information or if you have questions, share your thoughts in the comments below. #ProductRecall #ProductLiability #Recalls

Yesterday, Rama Balage and Jacqueline T. accepted three Brandon Hall Group HCM Excellence Awards® on behalf of J.S. Held. We are incredibly proud of our team members across the firm who have contributed to making the J.S. Held LEDR™ Program the premier standard, recognized with Gold Awards for Best Leadership Development Program and Best Senior Manager Development Program, as well as a Bronze Award for Best Unique or Innovative Leadership Program. To learn more about the Brandon Hall Awards and J.S. Held LEDR™ Program, visit: #FindYourExpert #Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #BHGAwards

Data privacy and cybersecurity threats are impacting all aspects of the healthcare industry – from providers to payers to medical device companies to clinical decision support software companies, and their suppliers. These issues put patients’ personal information and privacy at risk, affecting healthcare companies’ operations, bottoms lines, and potential for litigation and government investigations. In this article, Healthcare expert Magi Curtis and Digital Investigations & Discovery experts George Platsis and Antonio Rega discuss the challenges facing the healthcare sector from new technologies and regulations. To learn more about emerging data privacy risks in healthcare, visit: #Data #DataPrivacy #Healthcare

Happy Lunar New Year 2025! We wish all our clients and colleagues strength, courage, and success in the Year of the Snake. May this year be filled with achievements, growth, and joy. Lunar New Year is a time of renewal and hope. We wish you a prosperous and joyful Year of the Snake! 辞旧迎新，蛇年大吉 #LunarNewYear #YearOfTheSnake #SpringFestival

Data privacy is at the core of our digital landscape. At one end of the spectrum, individuals seek privacy protections and limits, and at the other end organizations seek more data than ever for innovation, model training, and market expansion. In this article, George Platsis discusses which data privacy risks predicted a decade ago came to pass and what steps organizations can take to protect consumer privacy. Topics covered include: • Examination of past predictions of data privacy risks and how they have materialized • The “acquire and protect” versus “minimize and destroy” data privacy strategies • The importance of data mapping, classification, and dependencies • Key areas of focus for data privacy in the future • Data as an asset versus data as a liability • Solutions for protecting data privacy in current cybersecurity systems To view the article, visit: #FindYourExpert #DataInformation #DataGovernance #DataPrivacy #DigitalRisk

Medical Management & Bill Review expert Kari Williamson and Content Programming Lead Heather Blevins will be presenting at this year's NAMIC Claims Conference from February 11 - 13 in Orlando, FL. Details about these sessions are included below. Popping the Social Inflation Balloon: The Benefit of Strong Damage Evaluation & Work Up · J.S. Held Presenter: Kari Williamson · Wednesday, February 12th, 2:00 - 2:45 pm Building Resilience in Claims Professionals · J.S. Held Presenter: Heather Blevins · Tuesday, February 11th, 4:00 - 5:00 pm If you're attending NAMIC, be sure to connect with our speakers throughout the conference. For more information on this year's event, visit: #FindYourExpert

Corporate sustainability programs face various headwinds in 2025, with growing discontent among industry, consumers, and investors. Concerns about greenwashing, greenhushing, and the patchwork of regulations in different jurisdictions are creating uncertainty for global businesses. Hear Executive Vice President and Environmental, Health & Safety Practice Lead John Peiserich as he shares more about sustainability investment risks and opportunities covered in the 2025 J.S. Held Global Risk Report. To view the report, visit: #Sustainability #ESG #GlobalRiskReport

Forensic Accounting expert Jessica Eldridge will be part of a plenary meeting at this year's @NetDiligence Cyber Risk Summit in Miami Beach, FL. "Business Income Losses in the Tower" will cover: • Complexities of managing business interruption (BI) losses within the cyber insurance tower • Exploring the role of multi-factor authentication (MFA) • Strategies for managing BI from an excess perspective • How to handle common challenges often encountered during the claims process If you're attending NetDiligence, be sure to connect with George Platsis and Jessica throughout the conference. For more information on this event, visit: #FindYourExpert #CyberRiskSummit

Project monitoring is vital in large-scale remediation, construction sites, and smaller claims by providing insurers with valuable insights and oversight. Project monitors help mitigate financial exposure and ensure projects stay on track by closely monitoring potential delays, expenses, and production schedules. In this article, Jason Worrall examines the critical role of project monitors in construction and remediation projects, discussing their significance in the industry, their daily responsibilities, and how they ensure accuracy, value, and timely project completion. To learn more, visit #ConstructionIndustry #Remediation #InsuranceClaims #ProjectMonitoring

The sanctions environment will likely become more challenging with the new Trump administration expected to hit China with punitive tariffs and increased export controls. Getting reliable information on the structure, ownership, and activities of Chinese companies is not straightforward. For organizations seeking to mitigate sanctions risk, understanding the extended – and often hidden – structures connected to Chinese counterparties is vital. In this article, Philip Worman and Queenie Chua discuss how the increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape can lead to both direct and proxy sanctions risk. They examine the exposure that investors may have from third-party relationships between Chinese partners and other sanctioned countries, such as Russia or Iran. To learn more, visit: #FindYourExpert #PoliticalRisk #China #Sanctions

Claims arising during construction often involve multiple parties, numerous contracts, and unique schedules, each requiring specific documentation. In this white paper, J.S. Held Builder’s Risk (CAR/EAR) experts Katie Twomey and Keegan Petty and Forensic Accounting experts Micah Pilgrim and John Curran share insights into the key documents they request when evaluating claims related to physical damage, schedule delay, soft costs, extra expense, lost profits, and period of restoration—factors critical to calculating damages and returning a project to its pre-loss condition. To learn more about the required documents, why they’re needed, and how they’re used in the builder’s risk claim review process, visit: #FindYourExpert #BuildersRisk #Claims #RFI #ForensicAccounting

The 2025 J.S. Held Global Risk Report provides insight into cutting-edge and high-stakes issues facing businesses this year. In the video below, Executive Vice President Greg Esslinger shares more about the risks and opportunities covered in the report to help clients anticipate, adapt, and advance in 2025. To view the report, visit: #FindYourExpert #GlobalRiskReport #Sustainability #SupplyChain #Crypto #AI #Cyber

J.S. Held equipment failure analysis and energy & environmental advisory experts were retained to consult on a claim involving an oil well equipment issue and associated damages. The engagement included: • Investigating and determining the root cause of the equipment failure • Reviewing operations of the rig and costs resulting from the oil well being down • Evaluating “additional work” required to address the failure • Determining what charges were appropriate on behalf of the well drilling equipment and rig operations service provider’s insurance company as part of the claim Connect with Andrew Marchesseault to learn more about the engagement and the expertise we delivered, or email him at andrew.marchesseault@jsheld.com. #Equipment #EHS #FailureAnalysis #OilFieldServices