Insights
J.S. Held Acquires Shechter & Everett to Expand Forensic Accounting Capabilities for Family Law Disputes in Florida
Read MorePublished: August 2024
50 years ago, J.S. Held began providing independent property damage consulting services. Knowledge of estimating principles, understanding of local code issues, mitigation guidance, and specialized appraisal skill—all were needed by clients dealing with significant projects or events. Our company was founded on, and still abides by, the principles of “delivering the news” and helping clients make well-informed decisions.
In the early days, no one really considered the possibility that more could be done to expand on what clients needed from insurance consultants. But it was during this time that J.S. Held’s leadership began to realize that seemingly unrelated areas of expertise in fact overlapped. Bringing new expertise in-house created the opportunity to do much more for clients and their projects and created a unified approach to the measurement of damages.
Following the tragedy on September 11, 2001, we were heavily involved in the World Trade Center litigation, the largest property damage claim in history, and in doing our part to help the city rebuild. This remains one of our greatest honors, and a seminal moment in our history as the firm became broadly recognized as an industry leader in property damage consulting.
As our reputation as a trusted advisor grew, so did our team. As a result, we started to quickly build out our geographic presence to provide local resources and support. Today, we have 600 team members throughout the US, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific.
For many years, our service offering focused on Building Consulting and Builder’s Risk. In 2016, we began expanding our offerings and the solutions we deliver to the insurance industry. Today, we provide specialized expertise in Building Consulting, Builder’s Risk, Equipment Consulting, Forensic Accounting, and Forensic Architecture & Engineering, as well as EHS, Accident Reconstruction, Surety, Economic Damages, intellectual property and Global Investigations.
We operate in a culture of collaboration, which not only allows us to leverage diverse backgrounds and expertise and deliver specialized knowledge that clients seek, but it also encourages cycles of growth and evolution. Our experts come from all over the globe, are leaders in their respective industries, work with other experts across our numerous practices, and mentor future industry leaders to deliver unrivaled expertise and client service.
Delivery metrics like turnaround time and accuracy have become greater focal points for clients. To adapt to these changes and remain at the forefront of the industry, we have adopted and developed technologies aimed at enhancing client experience. We’ve also focused on adding tools that further strengthen the project lifecycle to bring clients enhanced transparency throughout the claims process
We continue to invest in new technologies, resources, and training and development to deliver industry-leading service and expertise to our clients. We also remain dedicated to mentorship to cultivate J.S. Held’s future leaders. Continuously attracting and retaining top talent and preserving our culture will solidify a strong future for our Insurance Services Division and the firm as a whole.
View more stories about our journey from foundation to future and the entrepreneurial experts who continue to shape the trajectory of J.S. Held.
Dave Melchers, Chief Information Officer, shares more about the development of J.S. Held’s Information Technology (IT) department; evolving risks and challenges; and value creation through people, process, and technology....
Paul Banks shares more about the development of the J.S. Held Science & Technology division, how we’ve adapted to evolving industry dynamics, and what distinguishes our experts in the marketplace....