J.S. Held is a global consulting firm that combines technical, scientific, financial, and strategic expertise to advise clients seeking to realize value and mitigate risk. Our professionals serve as trusted advisors to organizations facing high stakes matters demanding urgent attention, staunch integrity, proven experience, clear-cut analysis, and an understanding of both tangible and intangible assets. The firm provides a comprehensive suite of services, products, and data that enable clients to navigate complex, contentious, and often catastrophic situations.


More than 1,500 professionals serve organizations across six continents, including, 81% of the Global 200 Law Firms, 70% of the Forbes Top 20 Insurance Companies (85% of the NAIC top 50 Property & Casualty Insurers), and 65% of the Fortune 100 Companies.


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2014-2022 
Environmental Law; Energy & Natural Resources

Mid-South Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters Service

2008-2012
Environmental Law; Energy & Natural Resources

Mid-South Super Lawyers, Rising Star, a Thomson Reuters Service

Since 2011 
Environmental Law; Litigation – Environmental

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America, a Thomson Reuters Service

Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year

The Best Lawyers in America®

Fractured & Fraught — but Still Potentially Profitable: The State of ESG in 2025

2024 J.S. Held Global Risk Report: Environmental, Social & Corporate Governance (ESG)

Crosscurrents—European Union Fails to Pass Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive & SEC Bails on Scope 3 Requirements

Crosscurrents: The SEC’s Standardized Climate-Related Disclosures as Adopted

Crosscurrents: California’s Senate Bill 253 Mandates Carbon Reporting for Large Companies

Energy Consumption Analysis: The Impact on Insurance Claims During Extreme Weather Events

Rethinking Energy Reliability with Modern Power Systems

Crosscurrents: The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act—Sustainability Commitments and Social Regulatory Compliance Drivers

Crosscurrents: Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) & ESG Reporting in Europe

Water Cybersecurity? EPA Mandates Regulations to Prevent Cyberattacks on Public Water Systems

Crosscurrents: Boards of Directors & Greenhouse Gas Verification – Working Toward Sustainability Compliance

Crosscurrents: EU REACH, EMA & Product Stewardship for Sustainability

The EPA’s Office of Land and Emergency Management Environmental Justice Action Plan

U.S. EPA’s First Usage of Clean Water Act Residual Designation Authority & Environmental Justice

Crosscurrents: J.S. Held’s Environmental, Social & Governance Observations (The SEC’s Executive Compensation Claw Back Final Rule)

Crosscurrents: J.S. Held’s Environmental, Social & Governance Observations (Fiduciary Duties Become Political)

Crosscurrents: J.S. Held’s Environmental, Social & Governance Observations (Impacts of ESG Enforcement)

Crosscurrents: J.S. Held’s Environmental, Social & Governance Observations

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Environmental Compliance

Arkansas Bar Association

The State Bar of Texas

U.S. Court of Appeals

U.S. District Court

John Peiserich specializes in environmental risk and compliance. With over 30 years of experience, John provides consulting and expert services for heavy industry and law firms throughout the country with a focus on Oil & Gas, Energy, and Public Utilities, including serving as an expert witness in arbitration proceedings and in state and federal courts. He has extensive experience evaluating the risk associated with potential and ongoing compliance obligations, developing strategies around those obligations, and working to implement a client-focused compliance strategy. John has appointments as an Independent Monitor through EPA’s Suspension and Debarment Program. John routinely supports clients in a forward-facing role for rulemaking and legislative issues involving energy, environmental, Oil & Gas, and related issues. Throughout his career, John has been engaged in both domestic and international projects by clients in the manufacturing, chemical, power, oil & gas, and public sectors.

In his role at J.S. Held, John leads the firm’s Environmental, Health & Safety practice, with expertise spanning EHS & ESG digital solutions; energy and environmental advisory; health sciences; industrial hygiene and the built environment; and liability assessment, management, and remediation.

He is a frequent author and prolific public speaker on environmental topics, and was a contributor to J.S. Held's 2024 Global Risk Report.

Environmental Risk & Compliance

Oil & Gas

Products Liability & Mass Torts

Toxic Torts

Natural Resources 

Federal, State & Local Permitting

Agency & Rulemaking Advocacy

English

J.S. Held LLC Profile 

Black Sky Events & Other Disaster Impacts from Power Interruptions

crosscurrents-global-sustainability-divides-esg-compliance-litigation-risks-and-corporate-responsibility

Rising ESG scrutiny is reshaping compliance, reputation, and strategy — here’s how leaders can navigate the divide.

Executive Vice President | Environmental, Health & Safety Practice Lead

  As sustainability moves from niche topic to boardroom central, companies face an increasingly complex global environment of regulatory divergence, disclosure demands and reputational risk. A recent article by J.S. Held's John Peiserich examines how multinational firms can respond effectively to the “crosscurrents” of ESG compliance, litigation exposure and evolving definitions of corporate responsibility.

 John Peiserich specializes in environmental risk and compliance. With over 30 years of experience, John provides consulting and expert services for heavy industry and law firms throughout the country with a focus on Oil & Gas, Energy, and Public Utilities, including serving as an expert witness in arbitration proceedings and in state and federal courts. View his profile here Key Insights:  Sustainability now touches every major business function — environmental, social, and governance — and must be embedded in strategy rather than treated as an add-on. Regulatory landscapes are diverging: while the U.S. federal approach remains fragmented, individual states like California are moving ahead with mandatory climate and emissions-related corporate disclosures. In contrast, the European Union’s Green Deal and related frameworks promote a more unified regulatory model, creating operational tension for multinational corporations. Litigation and disclosure risk are increasing, with “greenwashing” (overstating sustainability achievements) and “greenhushing” (avoiding or under-reporting ESG performance) emerging as major board-level concerns. Effective risk management now requires scalable data systems, transparent communication, strong governance, and agility to adapt across multiple regulatory regimes.  Why this matters:  The widening divide between jurisdictions — and intensifying scrutiny of corporate sustainability claims — means ESG compliance can no longer be treated as a checkbox exercise. Organizations that fail to anticipate regulatory expectations or align ESG strategy with business goals risk legal exposure, reputational harm, and missed opportunities for value creation.

Strategic Insights for Corporate Leadership on Sustainability   Boards and executives must adjust their mindset, seeing sustainability not as a burden but as a catalyst for growth and differentiation. Proactive investment in research, development, and stakeholder engagement will help organizations seize new opportunities and maintain credibility in a fast-changing world.

Documentation and transparency are vital defenses against legal challenges, while ongoing monitoring of policy and market trends ensures adaptability. Ultimately, the most successful companies will treat sustainability as an essential tenet of strategy—aligning profit, purpose, and governance to secure their position in the global marketplace.

Navigating the crosscurrents of sustainability requires courage, judgment, and a commitment to continuous learning. By embracing these principles, corporations can build a future that is not only profitable but also just, resilient, and worthy of the trust placed in them by shareholders and society alike.

 Looking to know more or connect with John Peiserich about this important topic? Simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.


Crosscurrents: Global Sustainability Divides & ESG Compliance, Litigation Risks, and Corporate Responsibility

video-insights-what-boards-of-directors-need-to-know-about-tariffs

Chief Intellectual Property Officer, J.S. Held

  Boards of directors globally are confronting unknown circumstances as a result of the current quickly shifting tariff and trade environment. Business risks and opportunities are magnified during such times, compelling boards to seek the right strategies in order to meet these challenges.

In this video, Brian Gleason, John Peiserich, James E. Malackowski, and Mariano de Alba – experts in business turnaround, supply chain, intellectual property, and political risk – outline emerging considerations for boards of directors in light of changing tariff policies, including:

• Tracking the financial impact of tariffs and effects on company supply chains • Understanding changes to regulatory requirements and whether internal policies need to be modified • Planning for short- and long-term effects on intellectual property • Adjusting communications between the board and senior management To view more of our Tariffs and Trade Series expert analysis and commentary, visit:

 Looking to know more or connect with John Peiserich and James E. Malackowski? Simply click on either expert's icon now to arrange an interview today.

If you are looking to connect with Brian Gleason or Mariano de Alba - contact :

Kristi L. Stathis, J.S. Held
+1 786 833 4864
Kristi.Stathis@JSHeld.com 

Video Insights: What Boards of Directors Need to Know About Tariffs

video-insights-how-senior-management-teams-can-respond-to-tariffs

Managing Director

  Companies around the world are facing increasing uncertainty brought on by the unpredictable and rapid shifts in tariff policies. As a result, corporate leaders are seeking ways to adapt and respond to the sudden and unprecedented changes in the international trade landscape. 

In this video, Brian Gleason, John Peiserich, James E. Malackowski, and Livia Paggi – experts in turnaround, supply chain, intellectual property, and political risk – discuss key strategies for senior management teams to address evolving tariff policies, including:

• Updating business forecasts and understanding company liquidity • How companies can optimize their intellectual property (IP) value and mitigate risk  • How to approach the unique risks associated with planning and permitting for capital projects • How to manage geopolitical volatility from shifting tariffs in the dealmaking process To view more of our Tariffs and Trade Series expert analysis and commentary, visit:

 Looking to know more or connect with John Peiserich, Livia Paggi and James E. Malackowski? Simply click on either expert's icon now to arrange an interview today.

If you are looking to connect with Brian Gleason - contact :

Kristi L. Stathis, J.S. Held
+1 786 833 4864
Kristi.Stathis@JSHeld.com 

Video Insights: How Senior Management Teams Can Respond to Tariffs

We are pleased to announce the promotion of John Peiserich to Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Practice Lead.

John has 30+ years of environmental law and regulatory compliance experience, including time as a practicing environmental attorney, independent monitor, and serving as trustee for a state-owned Superfund site. John joined J.S. Held in 2022 to build out our environmental risk and compliance consulting services within EHS, and he has excelled in doing so while being a strong leader for the organization.

In his new role, John will now lead all aspects of EHS, including:
• EHS/ESG Digital Solutions 
• Energy & Environmental Advisory 
• Health Sciences 
• Industrial Hygiene & The Built Environment 
• Liability Assessment, Management & Remediation

To learn more about John and our EHS practice, visit: https://jsheld.com/about-us/news/environmental-risk-compliance-strategy-expert-tapped-for-leadership-at-j-s-held

John Peiserich | Environmental, Health &amp; Safety Practice Lead

Since taking office in January, President Trump’s administration has taken numerous actions that will impact the realm of environmental and sustainability regulations. Such rapid changes and inconsistencies are creating complications for companies accustomed to relying on clearly established legislative and regulatory road maps, but also potential opportunities that may materialize as a result.

In this video, John Peiserich and Andrea Korney discuss how a surge of new legislation, resulting litigation, and factors such as changing tariffs and supply chains present both emerging risks and opportunities for stakeholders as they plan ahead past the new administration’s first 100 days.

To learn more about our Environmental Risk & Compliance Consulting Services, visit: jsheld.com/ehs-risk-compliance

Regulatory Impacts of Trump’s First 100 Days

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