Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - First quarter 2025 revenues were $898.3 million, a decrease of $30.3 million or 3.3% compared to the first quarter of the previous year [49] - GAAP earnings per share (EPS) were $1.74 compared to $2.23 in the prior year quarter, while adjusted EPS was $2.29 compared to $2.23 in the prior year quarter [50] - Net income decreased to $61.8 million from $80 million in the prior year quarter, primarily driven by lower revenues and a special charge [51] - Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter 2025 was $115.2 million, or 12.8% of revenues, compared to $111.1 million, or 12% of revenues in the prior year quarter [53] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Corporate Finance and Restructuring revenues were $343.6 million, a decrease of 6.1% compared to the previous year, with Restructuring representing 46% of segment revenues [56] - Forensic and Litigation Consulting (FLC) achieved record revenues of $190.6 million, an increase of 8.3%, driven by higher realized bill rates for Risk and Investigation services [59] - Economic Consulting revenues decreased by 12.1% to $179.9 million, primarily due to lower demand for M&A-related antitrust services [61] - Technology revenues decreased by 3.5% to $97.2 million, mainly due to lower demand for M&A-related second request services [64] - Strategic Communications revenues increased by 7.2% to $87 million, driven by higher demand for corporate reputation services [66] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The federal premerger notification program recorded just 89 transactions in March 2025, marking the lowest monthly filing total in nearly five years [66] - U.S. deal volume fell 13% year over year, with only one mega-deal over $10 billion announced in Q1 [75] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on helping clients navigate disruptions in areas such as cybersecurity, export controls, and regulatory advocacy [79] - The restructuring practice is positioned to assist clients globally, with a strong emphasis on adapting to changing market conditions [79] - The company continues to invest in talent acquisition, particularly in areas like antitrust, financial economics, and digital assets, despite the near-term financial impact [78] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed caution regarding the potential impact of regulatory changes on business performance, particularly in areas like anti-consumer fraud and anti-money laundering [17][90] - There is significant uncertainty in the M&A market, which could affect demand for related services in Economic Consulting and Technology [75] - Despite challenges, management remains confident in the company's long-term prospects and the strength of its various business segments [44][48] Other Important Information - The company funded $162 million in forgivable loans to attract new talent, which will impact adjusted EBITDA in the near term [73] - The board of directors authorized an additional $400 million for share repurchases, with approximately $568.3 million remaining available under the program [71] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of tariffs on business - Management noted that tariffs could create stress for clients dependent on cost of goods sold from China, leading to increased demand for restructuring services [86] Question: Effect of regulatory changes on business - Management indicated that while there has not been a significant effect from recent regulatory changes, they are monitoring the situation closely [90] Question: Guidance for the year - Management confirmed that the guidance provided at the fourth quarter 2024 earnings call is still applicable and will be updated at the second quarter earnings call [94] Question: Revenue headwind from departures in Economic Consulting - Management acknowledged that the financial impact from departures is likely to be higher than previously speculated, affecting EBITDA significantly [102] Question: Trends in healthcare business within FLC - Management reported good performance in healthcare practices, with both regulatory-oriented and performance improvement segments showing positive results [112] Question: Distribution of headcount actions - Management stated that headcount actions were spread across all levels and geographies, with a slight bias towards senior positions [119]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - First quarter 2025 revenues were $898.3 million, a decrease of $30.3 million or 3.3% compared to the first quarter of the previous year [32] - GAAP earnings per share (EPS) were $1.74 compared to $2.23 in the prior year quarter, while adjusted EPS was $2.29 compared to $2.23 in the prior year quarter [33] - Net income decreased to $61.8 million from $80 million in the prior year quarter, primarily due to lower revenues and a special charge [33] - Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter was $115.2 million or 12.8% of revenues, compared to $111.1 million or 12% of revenues in the prior year quarter [35] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - **Corporate Finance and Restructuring**: Revenues decreased 6.1% to $343.6 million, with adjusted segment EBITDA of $55.9 million or 16.3% of segment revenues [37][38] - **Forensic and Litigation Consulting (FLC)**: Record revenues of $190.6 million increased 8.3%, with adjusted segment EBITDA of $37.5 million or 19.7% of segment revenues [39][40] - **Economic Consulting**: Revenues decreased 12.1% to $179.9 million, with adjusted segment EBITDA of $14.4 million or 8% of segment revenues [41][42] - **Technology**: Revenues decreased 3.5% to $97.2 million, with adjusted segment EBITDA of $11.6 million or 11.9% of segment revenues [44] - **Strategic Communications**: Revenues increased 7.2% to $87 million, with adjusted segment EBITDA of $12.9 million or 14.8% of segment revenues [46] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The restructuring market is currently booming, but the M&A market is not, impacting the Corporate Finance and Restructuring segment [14][17] - The federal pre-merger notification program recorded the lowest monthly filing total in nearly five years, indicating a slowdown in M&A activity [45] - The economic consulting segment is facing headwinds due to lower demand for M&A related antitrust services [41][90] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on enhancing its capabilities in areas such as cybersecurity, export controls, and regulatory advocacy [52] - There is a commitment to investing in talent across various sectors, including antitrust and financial economics, despite the near-term financial pressures [51][52] - The company remains optimistic about its medium-term trajectory, particularly in the FLC and Corporate Finance segments [11][20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed caution regarding the potential impact of regulatory changes on the business, particularly in areas like anti-consumer fraud and anti-money laundering [11][60] - There is significant uncertainty in the macroeconomic environment, affecting M&A activity and overall demand for consulting services [17][28] - Despite challenges, management remains confident in the company's long-term prospects and ability to navigate market fluctuations [28][31] Other Important Information - The company funded $162 million in forgivable loans to retain professionals and attract new talent, primarily in the economic consulting segment [47][49] - Share repurchases totaled approximately 1.7 million shares, with an additional $400 million authorized for future buybacks [48][52] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of tariffs on business - Management noted that tariffs could create stress for clients dependent on Chinese goods, leading to increased demand for restructuring services [57] Question: Effect of regulatory changes on forensic and litigation consulting - Currently, there has been no significant effect from regulatory changes, but potential future impacts are being monitored closely [60][61] Question: Guidance for the year - The guidance provided at the fourth quarter 2024 earnings call remains applicable, with updates expected at the second quarter earnings call [62] Question: Revenue headwinds from departures in economic consulting - Departures are expected to have a significant impact on EBITDA, with a potential revenue headwind greater than previously speculated [69] Question: Trends in healthcare business within FLC - The healthcare practices within FLC performed well, showing improvement compared to the previous year [78][79] Question: Distribution of headcount actions - Headcount reductions were spread across all levels and geographies, with a slight emphasis on senior positions [84]