Hill International (HIL) 10-K 13 Mar 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 06, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	Hill International, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1287808
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$170,206,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		50,373,757
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$30,124,000	$30,381,000
Cash - restricted	8,851,000	15,766,000
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $11,142 and $9,530	194,256,000	232,011,000
Accounts receivable - affiliates	3,993,000	492,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	15,854,000	13,078,000
Income taxes receivable	2,833,000	4,460,000
Deferred income tax assets	1,188,000	1,705,000
Total current assets	257,099,000	297,893,000
Property and equipment, net	11,643,000	10,613,000
Cash - restricted, net of current portion	7,156,000	2,740,000
Accounts receivable - Libya	49,659,000
Retainage receivable	3,300,000	1,212,000
Acquired intangibles, net	19,282,000	24,964,000
Goodwill	80,437,000	85,853,000
Investments	5,083,000	5,984,000
Deferred income tax assets	15,426,000	13,882,000
Other assets	15,899,000	5,961,000
Total assets	464,984,000	449,102,000
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Due to bank		2,000
Current maturities of notes payable and long-term debt	6,361,000	18,974,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	92,068,000	92,270,000
Income taxes payable	8,689,000	9,442,000
Deferred revenue	20,542,000	18,203,000
Deferred income taxes	279,000	369,000
Other current liabilities	9,996,000	12,255,000
Total current liabilities	137,935,000	151,515,000
Notes payable and long-term debt, net of current maturities	121,875,000	114,285,000
Retainage payable	2,448,000	1,017,000
Deferred income taxes	14,654,000	16,732,000
Deferred revenue	12,193,000	16,261,000
Other liabilities	13,093,000	6,261,000
Total liabilities	302,198,000	306,071,000
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 1,000 shares authorized, none issued
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 100,000 shares authorized, 56,920 and 46,598 shares issued at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	6,000	5,000
Additional paid-in capital	179,912,000	136,899,000
Retained earnings	36,159,000	47,038,000
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-33,661,000	-25,032,000
Shareholders' equity before treasury stocks and noncontrolling interest	182,416,000	158,910,000
Less treasury stock of 6,546 shares at December 31, 2014 and 6,434 shares at December 31, 2013, at cost	-28,304,000	-27,766,000
Hill International, Inc. share of equity	154,112,000	131,144,000
Noncontrolling interests	8,674,000	11,887,000
Total equity	162,786,000	143,031,000
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$464,984,000	$449,102,000

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts (in dollars)	$11,142	$9,530
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000	1,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000	100,000
Common stock, shares issued	56,920	46,598
Treasury stock, shares	6,546	6,434

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Consulting fee revenue	$575,805	$512,085	$417,598
Reimbursable expenses	64,476	64,596	63,183
Total revenue	640,281	576,681	480,781
Cost of services	328,795	296,055	239,572
Reimbursable expenses	64,476	64,596	63,183
Total direct expenses	393,271	360,651	302,755
Gross profit	247,010	216,030	178,026
Selling, general and administrative expenses	217,730	183,572	172,779
Operating profit	29,280	32,458	5,247
Interest and related financing fees, net	30,485	22,864	18,150
(Loss) earnings before income taxes	-1,205	9,594	-12,903
Income tax expense	8,411	6,043	13,442
Net (loss) earnings	-9,616	3,551	-26,345
Less: net earnings - noncontrolling interests	1,263	1,922	1,872
Net (loss) earnings attributable to Hill International, Inc.	($10,879)	$1,629	($28,217)
Basic (loss) earnings per common share - Hill International, Inc. (in dollars per share)	($0.25)	$0.04	($0.73)
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	44,370	39,098	38,500
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share - Hill International, Inc. (in dollars per share)	($0.25)	$0.04	($0.73)
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	44,370	39,322	38,500

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) EARNINGS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) EARNINGS
Net (loss) earnings	($9,616)	$3,551	($26,345)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	-10,406	-7,733	-2,267
Other, net	123	218	-392
Comprehensive loss	-19,899	-3,964	-29,004
Comprehensive (loss) earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	-391	-576	332
Comprehensive loss attributable to Hill International, Inc.	($19,508)	($3,388)	($29,336)

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_STO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Hill Share of Stockholders' Equity	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss)	Treasury Stock	Non-controlling Interests	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$154,136,000	$4,000	$127,168,000	$73,626,000	($18,896,000)	($27,766,000)	$18,258,000	$172,394,000
Treasury Stock, Shares, Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011						6,434,000
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		44,937,000
Increase (decrease) in stockholders' equity
Net (loss) earnings	-28,217,000			-28,217,000			1,872,000	-26,345,000
Other comprehensive loss	-1,119,000				-1,119,000		-1,540,000	-2,659,000
Issuance of restricted stock	180,000	1,000	179,000					180,000
Issuance of restricted stock (in shares)		61,000
Stock issued to Board of Directors	150,000		150,000					150,000
Stock issued to Board of Directors (in shares)		52,000
Stock-based compensation expense	2,126,000		2,126,000					2,126,000
Stock issued under employee stock purchase plan	105,000		105,000					105,000
Stock issued under employee stock purchase plan (in shares)		37,000
Exercise of stock options	24,000		24,000					24,000
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		10,000						10,000
Tax effect of restricted stock	161,000		161,000					161,000
Payment of dividends to noncontrolling interests							-1,439,000	-1,439,000
Acquisition of additional interest in subsidiary							-3,594,000	-3,594,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	127,546,000	5,000	129,913,000	45,409,000	-20,015,000	-27,766,000	13,557,000	141,103,000
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012						6,434,000
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012		45,097,000
Increase (decrease) in stockholders' equity
Net (loss) earnings	1,629,000			1,629,000			1,922,000	3,551,000
Other comprehensive loss	-5,017,000				-5,017,000		-2,498,000	-7,515,000
Stock issued to Board of Directors	150,000		150,000					150,000
Stock issued to Board of Directors (in shares)		52,000
Stock-based compensation expense	2,811,000		2,811,000					2,811,000
Stock issued under employee stock purchase plan	138,000		138,000					138,000
Stock issued under employee stock purchase plan (in shares)		51,000
Exercise of stock options	20,000		20,000					20,000
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		8,000						8,000
Stock issued for acquisition of businesses	4,450,000		4,450,000					4,450,000
Stock issued for acquisition of businesses		1,390,000
Tax effect of restricted stock	-583,000		-583,000					-583,000
Acquisition of additional interest in subsidiary							-1,094,000	-1,094,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	131,144,000	5,000	136,899,000	47,038,000	-25,032,000	-27,766,000	11,887,000	143,031,000
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013						6,434,000		6,434,000
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		46,598,000						46,598,000
Increase (decrease) in stockholders' equity
Net (loss) earnings	-10,879,000			-10,879,000			1,263,000	-9,616,000
Other comprehensive loss	-8,629,000				-8,629,000		-1,654,000	-10,283,000
Sale of common stock	38,042,000	1,000	38,041,000					38,042,000
Sale of common stock (in shares)		9,547,000
Stock issued to Board of Directors	175,000		175,000					175,000
Stock issued to Board of Directors (in shares)		27,000
Stock-based compensation expense	3,327,000		3,327,000					3,327,000
Cancelation of restricted stock	-8,000		-8,000					-8,000
Cancelation of restricted stock (in shares)		-2,000
Stock issued under employee stock purchase plan	197,000		197,000					197,000
Stock issued under employee stock purchase plan (in shares)		55,000
Exercise of stock options	1,032,000		1,032,000					1,032,000
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		324,000						524,000
Cashless exercise of stock options			538,000			-538,000
Cashless exercise of stock options (in shares)		200,000				112,000
Stock issued for acquisition of businesses	618,000		618,000					618,000
Stock issued for acquisition of businesses		171,000
Payment of dividends to noncontrolling interests							-173,000	-173,000
Acquisition of additional interest in subsidiary	-907,000		-907,000				-2,649,000	-3,556,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$154,112,000	$6,000	$179,912,000	$36,159,000	($33,661,000)	($28,304,000)	$8,674,000	$162,786,000
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014						6,546,000		6,546,000
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		56,920,000						56,920,000

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) earnings	($9,616,000)	$3,551,000	($26,345,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) earnings to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	9,823,000	10,756,000	12,430,000
Provision for bad debts	5,323,000	3,928,000	3,209,000
Interest accretion on term loan	15,526,000	7,955,000	1,520,000
Deferred tax (benefit) provision	-2,241,000	-2,171,000	5,256,000
Share based compensation	3,494,000	2,961,000	2,276,000
issuance of restricted stock			180,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions in 2014 and 2013):
Restricted cash	286,000	3,822,000	-10,499,000
Accounts receivable	-25,498,000	-11,899,000	-11,638,000
Accounts receivable - affiliate	-3,501,000	768,000	570,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-3,832,000	-2,116,000	-1,515,000
Income taxes receivable	1,216,000	-744,000	-1,665,000
Retainage receivable	-2,088,000	2,734,000	488,000
Other assets	-449,000	109,000	5,144,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	9,857,000	-3,387,000	11,944,000
Income taxes payable	47,000	1,688,000	2,596,000
Deferred revenue	2,427,000	5,476,000	1,741,000
Other current liabilities	-2,921,000	4,923,000	-428,000
Retainage payable	1,440,000	-3,151,000	-1,352,000
Other liabilities	7,012,000	-3,770,000	-383,000
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	6,305,000	21,433,000	-6,471,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired	-2,701,000
Cash received in stock-based acquisitions		964,000
Payments for purchase of property and equipment	-5,721,000	-3,764,000	-2,377,000
Distributions from affiliate		36,000	156,000
Sale of investment			3,149,000
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	-11,978,000	-14,826,000	928,000
Cash flows from financing activities:
Due to bank	-2,000	-19,000	-1,278,000
Proceeds from secondary public offering of common stock	38,042,000
Proceeds from term loan borrowing	120,000,000		75,000,000
Payoff and termination of term loan	-100,000,000
Payoff and termination of revolving credit facility	-25,500,000
Payments on Engineering S.A. note payable		-5,095,000
Payments on notes payable		-167,000	-3,669,000
Net (payments) borrowings on revolving loans	-14,133,000	21,084,000	-56,497,000
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	-173,000		-1,439,000
Proceeds from stock issued under employee stock purchase plan	197,000	138,000	105,000
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,032,000	20,000	24,000
Net cash provided by financing activities	9,398,000	15,961,000	8,917,000
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-3,982,000	-8,903,000	-4,582,000
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-257,000	13,665,000	-1,208,000
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year	30,381,000	16,716,000	17,924,000
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	30,124,000	30,381,000	16,716,000
Term loan
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments of financing fees	-10,065,000
2012 Secured Term Loan
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments of financing fees			-3,329,000
Engineering S.A.
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of additional interest in Engineering S.A.	-3,556,000
Hill Spain
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for additional equity interests in Hill Spain		($12,062,000)

The_Company

The Company	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
The Company
The Company	Note 1—The Company
	Hill International, Inc. ("Hill" or the "Company") is a professional services firm that provides program management, project management, construction management, construction claims and other consulting services primarily to the buildings, transportation, environmental, energy and industrial markets worldwide. Hill's clients include the U.S. federal government, U.S. state and local governments, foreign governments and the private sector. The Company is organized into two key operating divisions: the Project Management Group and the Construction Claims Group.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Note 2—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

(a)

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Hill International, Inc. and its majority owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

(b)

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The estimates affecting the consolidated financial statements that are particularly significant include revenue recognition, allocation of purchase price to acquired intangibles and goodwill, recoverability of long-lived assets, income taxes, allowance for doubtful accounts and commitments and contingencies.

(c)

Foreign Currency Translations and Transactions

Assets and liabilities of all foreign operations are translated at year-end rates of exchange, and the statements of operations are translated at the average rates of exchange for the year. Gains or losses resulting from translating foreign currency financial statements are accumulated in a separate component of stockholders' equity entitled accumulated other comprehensive loss until the entity is sold or substantially liquidated.

Gains or losses from foreign currency transactions (transactions denominated in a currency other than the entity's local currency) are reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations.

(d)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair value of financial instruments, which primarily consists of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and due to bank, approximates carrying value due to the short-term nature of the instruments. The carrying value of our various credit facilities approximates fair value as the interest rate is variable. The term loan approximates fair value as the Company recently entered into that agreement.

(e)

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and investments in money market funds and investment grade securities held with high quality financial institutions. The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with a remaining maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents.

(f)

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash represents cash collateral required to be maintained in foreign bank accounts to serve as collateral for letters of credit, bonds or guarantees on several projects. The cash will remain restricted until the respective project has been completed, which typically is greater than one year.

(g)

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash investments and accounts receivable.

The Company maintains its cash accounts with high quality financial institutions. Although the Company currently believes that the financial institutions, with which it does business, will be able to fulfill their commitments to it, there is no assurance that those institutions will be able to continue to do so.

The Company provides professional services, under contractual arrangements, to domestic and foreign governmental units, institutions and the private sector. To reduce credit risk, the Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its clients and does not require collateral beyond customary retainers.

At December 31, 2014, the accounts receivable related to the work performed prior to March 2011 under contracts in Libya, amounted to approximately $49,659,000. See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for further information.

The following tables show the number of the Company's clients which contributed 10% or more of revenue and accounts receivable, respectively:

Years Ended

December 31,

2014

2013

2012

Number of 10% clients

1

—

—

Percentage of total revenue

10

%

N/A

N/A

December 31,

2014

2013

Number of 10% clients

1

1

Percentage of accounts receivable

20

%

25

%

The following provides information with respect to total revenue from contracts with U.S. federal government agencies:

Years Ended

December 31,

2014

2013

2012

Percentage of total revenue

3

%

3

%

3

%

(h)

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The allowance for doubtful accounts is an estimate prepared by management based on identification of the collectibility of specific accounts and the overall condition of the receivable portfolios. When evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts, the Company specifically analyzes trade receivables, including retainage receivable, historical bad debts, client credits, client concentrations, client credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in client payment terms. If the financial condition of clients were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. Likewise, should the Company determine that it would be able to realize more of its receivables in the future than previously estimated, an adjustment to the allowance would increase earnings in the period such determination was made. The allowance for doubtful accounts is reviewed on a quarterly basis and adjustments are recorded as deemed necessary.

(i)

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization is provided over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

Method

Estimated Useful Life

Furniture and equipment

Straight-line

10 years

Leasehold improvements

Straight-line

Shorter of estimated useful life or lease term

Computer equipment and software

Straight-line

3 to 5 years

Automobiles

Straight-line

5 years

The Company capitalizes costs associated with internally developed and/or purchased software systems that have reached the application development stage and meet recoverability tests. Capitalized costs include external direct costs of materials and services utilized in developing or obtaining internal-use software, payroll and payroll-related expenses for employees who are directly associated with and devote time to the internal-use software project. Capitalization of such costs begins when the preliminary project stage is complete and ceases no later than the point at which the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended purpose. Costs for general and administrative, overhead, maintenance and training, as well as the cost of software that does not add functionality to existing systems, are expensed as incurred.

Upon retirement or other disposition of these assets, the cost and related depreciation are removed from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss, if any, is reflected in results of operations. Expenditures for maintenance, repairs and renewals of minor items are charged to expense as incurred. Major renewals and improvements are capitalized.

(j)

Retainage Receivable

Retainage receivable represents balances billed but not paid by clients pursuant to retainage provisions in the construction management contracts and will be due upon completion of specific tasks or the completion of the contract. The current portion of retainage receivable is included in accounts receivable and the long-term portion of retainage receivable is included in retainage receivable in the consolidated balance sheets.

(k)

Long-Lived Assets

Acquired intangible assets consist of contract rights, client related intangibles and trade names arising from the Company's acquisitions. Contract rights represent the fair value of contracts in progress and backlog of an acquired entity. For intangible assets purchased in a business combination, the estimated fair values of the assets are used to establish the cost bases. Valuation techniques consistent with the market approach, the income approach and the cost approach are used to measure fair value. These assets are amortized over their estimated lives which range from three to fifteen years.

The Company reviews long-lived assets to be held-and-used for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. If the sum of the undiscounted expected future cash flows over the remaining useful life of a long-lived asset is less than its carrying amount, the asset is considered to be impaired. Impairment losses are measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. When fair values are not available, the Company estimates fair value using the expected future cash flow discounted at a rate commensurate with the risks associated with the recovery of the asset. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

(l)

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price and other related costs over the value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of businesses acquired. Acquired intangible assets other than goodwill are amortized over their useful lives. For intangible assets purchased in a business combination, the estimated fair values of the assets are used to establish the cost bases. Valuation techniques consistent with the market approach and the income approach are used to measure fair value.

Goodwill is tested annually for impairment in its fiscal third quarter. The Company has determined that it has two reporting units, the Project Management unit and the Construction Claims unit. The Company made that determination based on the similarity of the services provided, the methodologies in delivering our services and the similarity of the client base in each of these units. Goodwill is assessed for impairment using a two-step approach. In the first step of the impairment test, the Company compares the fair value of the reporting unit in which the goodwill resides to its carrying value. To the extent the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an indication exists that the reporting unit's goodwill may be impaired and the Company must perform a second more detailed assessment. The second step, if necessary, involves allocating the reporting unit's fair value to all of its recognized and unrecognized assets and liabilities in order to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill as of the assessment date. The implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill is then compared to the carrying amount of goodwill to quantify an impairment charge as of the assessment date.

Application of the goodwill impairment test requires significant judgments including estimation of future cash flows, which is dependent on internal forecasts, estimation of the long-term rate of growth for the businesses, the useful life over which cash flows will occur, and determination of the Company's weighted average cost of capital. The Company's changes in estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value and/or conclusions on goodwill impairment for each reporting unit. The Company performed its annual impairment test effective July 1, 2014 and noted no impairment for either of its reporting units. In the future, the Company will continue to perform the annual test during its fiscal third quarter unless events or circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred before that time.

(m)

Investments

Hill International (Spain), S.A.

The Company's subsidiary, Hill International (Spain), S.A. ("Hill Spain"), has the following cost-basis investments:

•

Concessia, Cartera y Gestion de Infrastructuras, S.A. ("Concessia")—Hill Spain has made payments totaling $4,239,000 towards an initial 5.16% interest in this entity which invests in the equity of companies which finance, construct and operate various public and private infrastructure projects. The payments represented approximately 66% of Hill Spain's total required capital contribution. Hill Spain had accrued the remaining commitment of approximately $2,120,000 and had included that amount in the cost of the investment and in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2012. During 2013, the aggregate capitalization of Concessia was reduced from approximately €93,000,000 to approximately €71,000,000. At that time, Hill Spain chose to reduce its total investment to a 4.45% interest and to distribute the excess 0.71% interest to the other shareholders of Concessia. Hill Spain has reduced both the cost of the investment and other liabilities by $2,120,000.

•

Nuevo Hospital de Burgos, S.A.—Hill Spain paid $3,761,000 for a 5.18% interest in this entity which, on completion of construction, will operate a new hospital in Burgos, Spain. On January 12, 2012 Hill Spain signed an agreement to sell its entire holding to its affiliate Concessia which is subject to the approval of the local authority, the owner of the facility and the financial institutions involved in the project. Hill Spain received a down payment of $3,149,000 and has accrued a receivable for $612,000. Although the final price is subject to certain conditions, the Company expects the investment to be fully recovered.

Other

The Company will, in the ordinary course, form joint ventures for specific projects. These joint ventures typically require limited or no investment and simply provide a pass-through for the Company's billings. Any distributions in excess of the Company's billings are accounted for as income when received.

(n)

Due to Bank

Under the Company's cash-management system, certain cash accounts reflect credit balances to the extent checks were disbursed but not immediately funded at the bank. The Company manages this process daily and ensures all checks are funded when presented.

(o)

Deferred Revenue

In certain instances the Company may collect advance payments from clients for future services. Upon receipt, the payments are reflected as deferred revenue in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. As the services are performed, the Company reduces the balance and recognizes revenue.

(p)

Deferred Rent

Rent expenses for operating leases which include scheduled rent increases is determined by expensing the total amount of rent due over the life of the operating lease on a straight-line basis. The difference between the rent paid under the terms of the lease and the rent expensed on a straight-line basis is recorded as a liability. The deferred rent at December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $2,968,000 and $3,043,000, respectively, and is included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.

(q)

Income Taxes

The Company estimates income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which it operates. This process involves estimating its actual current tax exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The Company assesses the likelihood that the deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and to the extent it believes recovery is not likely, the Company establishes a valuation allowance. To the extent the Company establishes a valuation allowance in a period, it must include an expense within the tax provision in the consolidated statements of earnings. The Company has recorded a valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax asset to an amount that is more likely to be realized in future years. If the Company determines in the future that it is more likely that the deferred tax assets subject to the valuation allowance will be realized, then the previously provided valuation allowance will be adjusted.

The Company recognizes a tax benefit in the financial statements for an uncertain tax position only if management's assessment is that the position is "more likely than not" (i.e., a likelihood greater than 50 percent) to be allowed by the tax jurisdiction based solely on the technical merits of the position. The term "tax position" refers to a position in a previously filed tax return or a position expected to be taken in a future tax return that is reflected in measuring current or deferred income tax assets and liabilities for interim or annual periods.

(r)

Revenue Recognition

The Company generates revenue primarily from providing professional services to its clients. Revenue is generally recognized upon the performance of services. In providing these services, the Company may incur reimbursable expenses, which consist principally of amounts paid to subcontractors and other third parties and travel and other job related expenses that are contractually reimbursable from clients. The Company has determined that it will include reimbursable expenses in computing and reporting its total revenue as long as the Company remains responsible to the client for the fulfillment of the contract and for the overall acceptability of all services provided.

The Company earns its revenue from time-and-materials, cost-plus and fixed-price contracts. If estimated total costs on any contract indicate a loss, the Company charges the entire estimated loss to operations in the period the loss becomes known. The cumulative effect of revisions to revenue, estimated costs to complete contracts, including penalties, incentive awards, change orders, claims, anticipated losses, and others are recorded in the accounting period in which the events indicating a loss are known and the loss can be reasonably estimated. Such revisions could occur at any time and the effects may be material.

Time-and-Materials Contracts

Under its time-and-materials contracts, the Company negotiates hourly billing rates and charges its clients based on the actual time that the Company spends on a project. In addition, clients reimburse the Company for its actual out-of-pocket costs of materials and other direct incidental expenditures that the Company incurs in connection with its performance under the contract. Its profit margins on time-and-materials contracts fluctuate based on actual labor and overhead costs that the Company directly charges or allocates to contracts compared with negotiated billing rates. Revenue on these contracts are recognized based on the actual number of hours the Company spends on the projects plus any actual out-of-pocket costs of materials and other direct incidental expenditures that the Company incurs on the projects. Its time-and-materials contracts generally include annual billing rate adjustment provisions.

Cost-Plus Contracts

The Company has two major types of cost-plus contracts:

Cost-Plus Fixed Fee

Under cost-plus fixed fee contracts, the Company charges its clients for its costs, including both direct and indirect costs, plus a fixed negotiated fee. In negotiating a cost-plus fixed fee contract, the Company estimates all recoverable direct and indirect costs and then adds a fixed profit component. The total estimated cost plus the negotiated fee represents the total contract value. The Company recognizes revenue based on the actual labor costs, based on hours of labor effort, plus non-labor costs the Company incurs, plus the portion of the fixed fee the Company has earned to date. The Company invoices for its services as revenue is recognized or in accordance with agreed-upon billing schedules. Aggregate revenue from cost-plus fixed fee contracts may vary based on the actual number of labor hours worked and other actual contract costs incurred. However, if actual labor hours and other contract costs exceed the original estimate agreed to by its client, the Company generally must obtain a change order, contract modification, or successfully prevail in a claim in order to receive additional revenue relating to the additional costs (see "Change Orders and Claims").

Cost-Plus Fixed Rate

Under its cost-plus fixed rate contracts, the Company charges clients for its costs plus negotiated rates based on its indirect costs. In negotiating a cost-plus fixed rate contract, the Company estimates all recoverable direct and indirect costs and then adds a profit component, which is a percentage of total recoverable costs to arrive at a total dollar estimate for the project. The Company recognizes revenue based on the actual total number of labor hours and other costs the Company expends at the cost plus the fixed rate the Company negotiated. Similar to cost-plus fixed fee contracts, aggregate revenue from cost-plus fixed rate contracts may vary and the Company generally must obtain a change order, contract modification, or successfully prevail in a claim in order to receive additional revenue relating to any additional costs that exceed the original contract estimate (see "Change Orders and Claims").

Labor costs and subcontractor services are the principal components of its direct costs on cost-plus contracts, although some include materials and other direct costs. Some of these contracts include a provision that the total actual costs plus the fee will not exceed a guaranteed price negotiated with the client. Others include rate ceilings that limit the reimbursement for general and administrative costs, overhead costs and materials handling costs. The accounting for these contracts appropriately reflects such guaranteed price or rate ceilings.

Firm Fixed-Price ("FFP") Contracts

The Company's FFP contracts have historically accounted for most of its fixed-price contracts. Under FFP contracts, the Company's clients pay an agreed amount negotiated in advance for a specified scope of work. The Company recognizes revenue on FFP contracts using the percentage-of-completion method (recognizing revenue as costs are incurred). Profit margins the Company recognizes in all periods prior to completion of the project on any FFP contract depend on the accuracy of the Company's estimates of approximate revenue and expenses and will increase to the extent that its current estimates of aggregate actual costs are below amounts previously estimated. Conversely, if the Company's current estimated costs exceed prior estimates, its profit margins will decrease and the Company may realize a loss on a project. In order to increase aggregate revenue on the contract, the Company generally must obtain a change order, contract modification, or successfully prevail in a claim in order to receive payment for the additional costs (see "Change Orders and Claims").

Change Orders and Claims

Change orders are modifications of an original contract that effectively change the provisions of the contract without adding new provisions. Either the Company or its client may initiate change orders. They may include changes in specifications or design, manner of performance, facilities, equipment, materials, sites and period of completion of the work. Claims are amounts in excess of the agreed contract price that the Company seeks to collect from its clients or others for client-caused delays, errors in specifications and designs, contract terminations, change orders that are either in dispute or are unapproved as to both scope and price, or other causes of unanticipated additional contract costs.

Change orders and claims occur when changes are experienced once contract performance is underway. Change orders are sometimes documented and terms of such change orders are agreed with the client before the work is performed. Sometimes circumstances require that work progresses before agreement is reached with the client. Costs related to change orders and claims are recognized when they are incurred. Change orders and claims are included in total estimated contract revenue when it is probable that the change order or claim will result in a bona fide addition to contract value that can be reliably estimated. No profit is recognized on claims until final settlement occurs; unapproved change orders are evaluated as claims. This can lead to a situation where costs are recognized in one period and revenue is recognized when client agreement is obtained or claims resolution occurs, which can be in subsequent periods.

The Company has contracts with the U.S. government that contain provisions requiring compliance with the U.S. Federal Acquisition Regulations ("FAR"). These regulations are generally applicable to all of its federal government contracts and are partially or fully incorporated in many local and state agency contracts. They limit the recovery of certain specified indirect costs on contracts subject to the FAR. Cost-plus contracts covered by the FAR provide for upward or downward adjustments if actual recoverable costs differ from the estimate billed under forward pricing arrangements. Most of its federal government contracts are subject to termination at the convenience of the client. Contracts typically provide for reimbursement of costs incurred and payment of fees earned through the date of such termination.

Federal government contracts which are subject to the FAR and some state and local governmental agencies require audits, which are performed for the most part by the Defense Contract Audit Agency ("DCAA"). The DCAA audits the Company's overhead rates, cost proposals, incurred government contract costs, and internal control systems. During the course of its audits, the DCAA may question incurred costs if it believes the Company has accounted for such costs in a manner inconsistent with the requirements of the FAR or Cost Accounting Standards and recommend that its U.S. government corporate administrative contracting officer disallow such costs. Historically, the Company has not experienced significant disallowed costs as a result of such audits. However, the Company can provide no assurance that the DCAA audits will not result in material disallowances of incurred costs in the future.

(s)

Share-Based Compensation

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to measure the estimated fair value of options to purchase the Company's common stock. The compensation expense, less estimated forfeitures, is being recognized over the service period on a straight-line basis. The Company's policy is to use newly issued shares to satisfy the exercise of stock options.

(t)

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and amounted to the following (in thousands):

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

2012

$

599

$

396

$

325

(u)

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per common share has been computed using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per common share incorporates the incremental shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of stock options using the treasury stock method.

Dilutive stock options increased average common shares outstanding by approximately 225,000 shares for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Options to purchase 3,521,000 shares, 5,364,000 shares and 4,492,000 shares of the Company's common stock were not included in the calculation of common shares outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, because they were anti-dilutive.

(v)

New Accounting Pronouncement

On May 28, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the ASU is that an entity should recognize revenue for the transfer of goods or services equal to the amount that it expects to be entitled to receive for those goods or services. The ASU requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments. The ASU will be effective for interim and annual periods commencing after December 15, 2016 and allows for both retrospective and prospective methods of adoption. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is in the process of determining the method of adoption and assessing the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Acquisitions
Acquisitions	Note 3—Acquisitions
	Our recent acquisition activity is detailed below. The Company's consolidated financial statements include the operating results of these businesses from their respective dates of acquisition. Pro forma results of operations for these acquisitions have not been presented because they are not material to the Company's consolidated results of operations, either individually or in the aggregate.
	The Company expenses all acquisition-related costs plus any anticipated restructuring costs for which it is not obligated at the acquisition date, rather than including such costs as a component of the purchase consideration. During 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company expensed $263,000, $455,000 and $84,000, respectively, of acquisition-related costs.
	Angus Octan Scotland Ltd.
	On October 31, 2014, our subsidiary Hill International (UK) Ltd. acquired all of the outstanding common stock of Angus Octan Scotland Ltd., which included its subsidiary companies Cadogan Consultants Ltd., Cadogan Consult Ltd. and Cadogan International Ltd. (collectively, "Cadogans"). Cadogans, with 27 professionals, has offices in Glasgow and Dundee. The acquisition expanded Hill's construction claims business and provided additional resources in the energy and industrial sectors. Total consideration for the acquisition was £2,719,000 (approximately $4,350,000 at the date of acquisition). The consideration consists of cash payments of £1,000,000 ($1,600,000) at closing, £600,000 ($960,000) on November 25, 2014, £400,000 ($640,000) on December 23, 2014, £519,000 ($830,000) to be paid on October 31, 2015 and an earn-out based upon the average earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") for the two-year period ending on October 31, 2016 (which amount shall not be less than £0 nor more than £200,000). Two of the selling shareholders may receive an earn-out in five annual installments of up to £100,000 each ($160,000), which will be charged to earnings, provided that Cadogans' EBITDA for each of the years ending October 31, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 is equal to or greater than £396,000 ($633,000). The Company accrued the potential additional consideration of £719,000 ($1,150,000), of which £519,000 is included in other current liabilities and £200,000 is included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014. The Company acquired intangible assets and goodwill amounting to £1,353,000 (approximately $2,165,000 on the date of acquisition) and £541,000 (approximately $865,000), respectively. The acquired intangible assets have a weighted average life of 8.9 years. The acquired intangible assets consist of a client relationship intangible of £1,181,000 ($1,890,000) with a ten-year life, a trade name intangible of £82,000 ($131,000) with a two-year life and a contract intangible of £90,000 ($144,000) with a six-month life. Goodwill, which is not deductible for income tax purposes, has been allocated to the Construction Claims operating segment.
	Collaborative Partners, Inc.
	On December 23, 2013, Hill acquired all of the outstanding common stock of Collaborative Partners, Inc. ("CPI"), a firm that provides project management, strategic planning and regulatory services for healthcare, life sciences, educational, commercial and residential construction projects throughout New England. CPI, which has about 30 professionals, has offices in Boston, Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island. The acquisition expands the Company's project management business in the New England region of the United States. At closing, the sellers received $2,450,000 in the form of 678,670 shares of the Company's common stock priced at $3.61 per share. On March 7, 2014, the sellers received 171,308 shares of common stock with a value of $618,000 representing CPI's common equity in excess of $600,000. On December 23, 2014, the sellers were to receive, subject to potential offset, an additional $350,000 ("holdback") in shares of common stock; the number of shares was determined based on the average closing price of the common stock for the ten trading days ending on December 18, 2014. The Agreement also provided that should the price of the Company's common stock not increase by 50% to $5.42 on December 23, 2014, the Company will issue additional shares to the sellers representing the difference between $5.42 and the price on December 23, 2014 and (2) the sellers are entitled to receive additional shares of the Company's common stock for (i) 50% of the operating profit of CPI in excess of $1,000,000 for the first 12-month period after closing, but in no event more than $500,000, and (ii) 5% of the net revenue backlog in excess of $10,000,000 on the date 60 days after closing. The Company estimated and accrued $2,697,000 for the potential additional consideration which was included in other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2013. In April 2014, the portion of the liability attributable to the change in the common stock price was waived by the sellers and the liability was eliminated by a credit of $1,225,000 to selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014. In addition, a portion of the liability attributable to the holdback in shares was not paid and $215,000 was credited to selling, general and administrative expense in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014. In the first quarter of 2015, the Company will settle the amounts due for the holdback, the excess operating profit and backlog by issuing 148,460 shares of its common stock valued at approximately $530,000.
	Binnington Copeland & Associates (Pty.) Ltd.
	On May 30, 2013, Hill International N.V., the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, acquired all of the outstanding common stock of Binnington Copeland & Associates (Pty.) Ltd. and BCA Training (Pty.) Ltd. (together "BCA"). BCA, with 34 professionals, has offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa. The acquisition provides the Company's claims business access to Africa's large infrastructure and mining projects and allows for expansion into the rest of sub-Saharan Africa. Consideration consisted of $2,000,000 plus a potential earn-out, both payable in shares of the Company's common stock. The purchase price is payable as follows: $1,072,400 (the "Closing Date Payment") on the closing date, $927,600 (the "Second Tranche Payment") on July 31, 2013 and an earn-out (the "Third Tranche Payment") to be determined in the third quarter of 2014. The Company issued 379,655 shares of its common stock in satisfaction of the Closing Date Payment; the number of shares was determined by dividing the Closing Date Payment by the average closing price of our common stock for the thirty trading days ending on May 17, 2013. On July 31, 2013, the Company issued 331,444 shares of its common stock in satisfaction of the Second Tranche Payment. The number of shares was determined by dividing the Second Tranche Payment by the average closing price of our common stock for the thirty trading days ending on July 19, 2013. The shares issuable in satisfaction of the Third Tranche Payment will be determined by dividing the Third Tranche Payment by the average closing price of our common stock for the thirty trading days ending on July 21, 2014. The actual amount of the Third Tranche Payment will be determined by comparing the average net profit before taxes for the two-year periods ending July 31, 2014 to the net profit before taxes for the year ended July 31, 2012, and multiplying the excess, if any, by 2.205. BCA's average net profit before taxes for the two years ended July 31, 2014 was not sufficient to earn any of the Third Tranche payment, which had been estimated to be approximately $902,000 at the date of acquisition. Since no amount is due to the selling shareholders, the liability has been eliminated by a credit of $893,000 to selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	Engineering S.A.
	On February 28, 2011, the Company's subsidiary, Hill Spain, indirectly acquired 60% of the outstanding common stock of Engineering S.A., one of the largest project management firms in Brazil with approximately 400 professionals. It has main offices in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo and an additional office in Parauapebas. Engineering S.A. provides project management, construction management and engineering consulting services throughout Brazil. Total consideration will not exceed 42,000,000 Brazilian Reais ("BR") (approximately $25,336,000 at the date of acquisition) consisting of an initial cash payment of BR22,200,000 (approximately $13,392,000) plus minimum additional payments of BR7,400,000 (approximately $4,464,000) due on each of April 30, 2012 and 2013 and a potential additional payment of BR5,000,000 ($3,016,000). The Company acquired intangible assets and goodwill amounting to BR24,540,000 ($14,783,000) and BR46,339,000 ($27,987,000), respectively. The acquired intangible assets have a weighted average life of 7.7 years. The acquired intangible assets consist of a client relationship intangible of BR13,942,000 ($8,399,000) with a ten-year life, a contract intangible of BR8,385,000 ($5,051,000) with a two-year life and a trade name intangible of BR2,213,000 ($1,333,000) with a fifteen-year life. Goodwill, which is deductible for income tax purposes, has been allocated to the Project Management operating segment. Also, ESA's shareholders entered into an agreement whereby the minority shareholders have a right to compel ("ESA Put Option") Hill Spain to purchase any or all of their shares during the period from February 28, 2014 to February 28, 2021. Hill Spain also has the right to compel ("ESA Call Option") the minority shareholders to sell any or all of their shares during the same time period. The purchase price for such shares shall be seven times the earnings before interest and taxes for ESA's most recently ended fiscal year, net of any financial debt plus excess cash multiplied by a percentage which the shares to be purchased bear to the total number of shares outstanding at the time of purchase, but in the event the ESA Call Option is exercised by Hill Spain, the purchase price shall be increased by five percent. The ESA Put Option and the ESA Call Option must be made within three months after the audited financial statements of ESA have been completed. In April 2014, two of the minority shareholders exercised their ESA Put Option whereby Hill Spain paid approximately 7,838,000 Brazilian Reais (approximately $3,556,000) in October 2014. After the transaction, Hill Spain owns approximately 72% of ESA. In accordance with the guidance in ASC 810-10-45-23, under Changes in the Parent's Ownership Interest in a Subsidiary When There Is No Change in Control, the Company has accounted for this transaction as an equity transaction. Accordingly, Hill Spain reduced noncontrolling interests by 5,839,000 Brazilian Reais (approximately $2,649,000), and reduced additional paid in capital by approximately 1,999,000 Brazilian Reais (approximately $907,000) which represents the excess of the fair value over the amount of the adjustment to noncontrolling interests.
	The Company estimated the fair value of the potential additional payments to total approximately BR17,200,000 (approximately $10,376,000) and has discounted these amounts using an interest rate of 4.72%, the weighted average interest rate on the outstanding borrowings under the Company's credit agreement at the acquisition date. The Company paid the first installment amounting to 6,624,000 BRL (approximately $3,508,000 on April 30, 2012 and paid the second installment amounting to 11,372,000 BRL (approximately $5,095,000) on July 23, 2013.
	Gerens Management Group, S.A.
	On February 15, 2008, the Company's subsidiary, Hill International N.V. (formerly Hill International S.A.), acquired 60% of the outstanding capital stock of Gerens Management Group, S.A., whose name was subsequently changed to Hill International (Spain), S.A. ("Hill Spain"). In connection with the acquisition, Hill Spain's shareholders entered into an agreement whereby the minority shareholders have a right to compel ("Gerens Put Option") Hill International N.V. to purchase any or all of their shares during the period from March 31, 2010 to March 31, 2020. Hill International N.V. also has the right to compel the minority shareholders to sell any or all of their shares during the period from March 31, 2011 to March 31, 2021. The purchase price for such shares shall be the greater of (a) €18,000,000 ($23,808,000 as of December 31, 2012) increased by the General Price Index (capped at 3.5% per annum) or (b) ten times Hill Spain's earnings before interest and income taxes for the prior fiscal year, multiplied by a percentage which the shares to be purchased bear to the total number of shares outstanding at the time of purchase. Such amount may be adjusted for increases in equity subsequent to the acquisition date, and can be paid in cash or shares of our common stock at the option of the sellers.
	During late 2011 through late 2012, ten minority shareholders, who owned approximately 23.9% of the outstanding common stock of Hill Spain, exercised their Gerens Put Options. On January 3, 2013, the Company paid for the additional interest by paying approximately €7,166,000 (approximately $9,477,000) including interest of approximately €115,000 (approximately $152,000) which was charged to interest expense in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2012. In connection with the transactions, the Company reduced noncontrolling interests by €2,717,000 (approximately $3,594,000), increased goodwill by €1,300,000 (approximately $1,720,000) and increased intangible assets by €4,334,000 (approximately $5,580,000) during 2012.
	During 2013, the remaining minority shareholders, who owned approximately 6.8% of the outstanding common stock of Hill Spain, exercised their Gerens Put Options. The Company now owns 100% of Hill Spain. The aggregate consideration plus interest was paid on December 4, 2013 in the amount of €2,031,000 (approximately $2,793,000). The balance included interest of approximately €42,000 (approximately $56,000). In connection with the transactions, the Company reduced noncontrolling interests by €828,000 (approximately $1,094,000), increased goodwill by €348,000 (approximately $460,000) and increased intangible assets by approximately €1,161,000 (approximately $1,534,000).

Accounts_Receivable

Accounts Receivable	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts Receivable.
Accounts Receivable	Note 4—Accounts Receivable
	The components of accounts receivable are as follows:
		December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Billed	$	159,959		$	206,469
	Retainage, current portion		12,700			10,215
	Unbilled		32,739			24,857
			205,398			241,541
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		(11,142	)		(9,530	)
	Total	$	194,256		$	232,011
	Unbilled receivables primarily represent revenue earned on contracts, which the Company is contractually precluded from billing until predetermined future dates.
	Included in billed receivables are $1,562,000 and $2,030,000 of the amounts due from various branches of the U.S. federal government and $100,773,000 and $99,643,000 of receivables from foreign governments at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Bad debt expense of $5,323,000, $3,928,000 and $3,209,000 is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	The Company has open but inactive contracts with the Libyan Organization for the Development and Administrative Centres ("ODAC"). Due to the civil unrest which commenced in Libya in February 2011, the Company suspended its operations in and demobilized substantially all of its personnel from Libya. From that time until 2013, there was no activity on the contracts and the Company did not receive any payments for the work performed prior to March 2011. During late 2013 and early 2014, Hill received payments of approximately $9,900,000 from ODAC who also posted a letter of credit of approximately $14,000,000 in Hill's favor which expired on June 30, 2014. Management believed that this progress was a positive indication that ODAC intended to fulfill its obligations to Hill.
	In June 2014, a new parliament, the Council of Representatives ("CoR"), was elected and is the internationally recognized government of Libya. Subsequently, fighting broke out between forces loyal to the outgoing General National Congress ("GNC") and the new CoR. The GNC reconvened, selected a Prime Minister and seized control of the capital city of Tripoli. The GNC controls Libya's ministries, central bank and state oil company. In September 2014, the United Nations began talks to reconcile the two factions, but management is not aware that any progress has been made as of February 2015. It is our understanding that, government agencies such as ODAC have not been delegated any authority to make payments other than payroll.
	Management has continued its dialogue with representatives of ODAC and understands that ODAC has obtained approval to facilitate immediate payment to Hill once the political situation normalizes. Additionally, in early 2014, Hill submitted new contracts for additional work upon ODAC's request.
	The Company currently believes that recovery of its receivable from ODAC through continued communications, rather than legal action, remains appropriate, however, the Company continues to explore its legal options, including discussions with outside legal counsel. In the event that the military and political environment changes significantly in Libya and its surrounding geopolitical regions or there are indications that the Company's continued efforts to negotiate amicably with ODAC are determined have been unsuccessful, the Company will evaluate its options to pursue legal claims and/or assess the carrying amount of this receivable, which could have a significant adverse impact on our consolidated results of operations and consolidated financial position.
	Currently, management believes that it has good relationships with the ODAC authorities. However due to the lack of a written agreement or timetable for further payments of Hill's accounts receivable from ODAC or a return to work on Hill's existing contracts, management has reclassified the remaining accounts receivable amounting to $49,659,000 to a non-current asset to reflect the uncertainty surrounding the timing of the collection of the receivable. Additionally, management has reclassified from current to other liabilities the accruals for certain taxes and agency fees related to the ODAC contracts amounting to approximately $9,280,000.

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property and Equipment
Property and Equipment	Note 5—Property and Equipment
		December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Furniture and equipment	$	12,163		$	11,190
	Leasehold improvements		4,196			3,965
	Automobiles		1,696			1,576
	Computer equipment and software		24,088			22,656
			42,143			39,387
	Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(30,500	)		(28,774	)
	Property and equipment, net	$	11,643		$	10,613
	Information with respect to depreciation expense is as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Total depreciation expense	$	3,643		$	4,166		$	4,394
	Portion charged to cost of services	$	1,293		$	1,227		$	1,350
	Portion charged to selling, general and administrative expense	$	2,350		$	2,939		$	3,044

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Intangible Assets
Intangible Assets	Note 6—Intangible Assets
	The following table summarizes the Company's acquired intangible assets:
			December 31,
			2014						2013
			Gross			Accumulated			Gross		Accumulated
			Carrying			Amortization			Carrying		Amortization
			Amount						Amount
			(in thousands)
	Client relationships		$	36,412		$	20,758		$	37,501	$	18,238
	Acquired contract rights			11,387			9,717			11,874		8,541
	Trade names			3,023			1,065			3,266		898
	Total		$	50,822		$	31,540		$	52,641	$	27,677
	Intangible assets, net		$	19,282					$	24,964
	Amortization expense related to intangible assets was as follows:
	Years Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(in thousands)
	$	6,180		$	6,590		$	8,036
	The following table presents the estimated amortization expense based on our present intangible assets for the next five years:
	Years Ending December 31,		Estimated
			Amortization
			Expense
			(in thousands)
	2015		$	5,485
	2016			4,014
	2017			3,005
	2018			2,041
	2019			1,760

Goodwill

Goodwill	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill
Goodwill	Note 7—Goodwill
	The addition to goodwill in 2013 is due to the acquisitions of BCA ($1,285,000) and CPI ($3,049,000) and the impact of deferred income taxes on the intangible assets acquired in the purchase of an additional equity interest in Hill Spain ($460,000).
	The addition to goodwill in 2014 is due to the acquisition of Cadogans ($865,000).
	The following table summarizes the changes in the Company's carrying value of goodwill during 2014 and 2013:
		Project			Construction			Total
		Management			Claims
		(in thousands)
	Balance, December 31, 2012	$	57,231		$	26,776		$	84,007
	Additions		3,509			1,285			4,794
	Translation adjustments		(2,292	)		(656	)		(2,948	)
	Balance, December 31, 2013		58,448			27,405			85,853
	Additions		—			865			865
	Translation adjustments		(4,779	)		(1,502	)		(6,281	)
	Balance, December 31, 2014	$	53,669		$	26,768		$	80,437

Accounts_Payable_and_Accrued_E

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
	Note 8—Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
	Below are the components of accounts payable and accrued expenses:
		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Accounts payable	$	32,701	$	25,349
	Accrued payroll and related expenses		39,845		35,732
	Accrued subcontractor fees		3,930		6,212
	Accrued agency fees		6,920		17,623
	Accrued legal and professional fees		968		1,239
	Other accrued expenses		7,704		6,115
		$	92,068	$	92,270
	Approximately $9,280,000 of agency fees and other accrued expenses related to the ODAC contracts have been reclassified to other liabilities as of December 31, 2014. See Note 4 for further information.

Notes_Payable_and_LongTerm_Deb

Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt
Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt	Note 9—Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt
	Outstanding debt obligations are as follows:
			December 31,
			2014		2013
			(in thousands)
	2014 Term Loan Facility		$	119,700	$	—
	2012 Term Loan Payable			—		84,474
	2009 Revolving credit loan payable under the Credit Agreement (the weighted average interest rate of all borrowings was 5.32% at December 31, 2013			—		39,000
	2014 Domestic Revolving Credit Facility			200
	2014 International Revolving Credit Facility			2,554
	Borrowings under revolving credit facilities with a consortium of banks in Spain			5,037		7,670
	Borrowings under unsecured credit facility with Ibercaja Bank in Spain			745		2,047
	Other notes payable			—		68
				128,236		133,259
	Less current maturities			6,361		18,974
	Notes payable and long-term debt, net of current maturities		$	121,875	$	114,285
	Refinancing
	On June 12, 2014, the Company and its subsidiary Hill International N.V. (the "Subsidiary") entered into a Commitment Letter with Société Générale (the "Agent") and SG Americas Securities, LLC, (the "Arranger") pursuant to which the Arranger and the Agent committed to provide secured debt facilities to the Company in an aggregate principal amount of $165,000,000 which would be used to payoff and terminate the Company's then-existing senior credit facility with a bank group led by Bank of America, N.A. and its then-existing second lien term loan with funds managed by Tennenbaum Capital Partners, LLC.
	Effective as of September 26, 2014 (the "Closing Date"), the Company, entered into a credit agreement with the Agent as administrative agent and collateral agent, TD Bank, N.A., as syndication agent and HSBC Bank USA, N.A., as documentation agent, (collectively, the "U.S. Lenders") consisting of a term loan facility of $120,000,000 (the "Term Loan Facility") and a $30,000,000 U.S. dollar-denominated facility available to the Company (the "U.S. Revolver," together with the Term Loan Facility, the "U.S. Credit Facilities") and a credit agreement with the Agent as administrative agent and collateral agent, (the "International Lender") providing a $15,000,000 Euro-denominated facility available to the Subsidiary (the "International Revolver" and together with the U.S. Revolver, the "Revolving Credit Facilities" and, together with the U.S. Credit Facilities, the "Secured Credit Facilities"). The U.S. Revolver and the International Revolver include sub-limits for letters of credit amounting to $25,000,000 and $10,000,000, respectively.
	The Secured Credit Facilities contain customary default provisions, representations and warranties, and affirmative and negative covenants, and require the Company to comply with certain financial and reporting covenants. The financial covenants consist of a Maximum Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio and an Excess Account Concentration requirement commencing on December 31, 2014. The Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio is the ratio of (a) consolidated total debt (minus cash of up to $10,000,000 held in the aggregate) to consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and share-based compensation for the trailing twelve months. The Excess Account Concentration covenant permits the U. S. Lenders and the International Lender to increase the interest rates by 2.0% if, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, either (a) the accounts receivable from any country not listed as a Permitted Country as defined in the Secured Credit Facilities (other than the United Arab Emirates) that are more than 120 days old (relative to the invoice date) constitute more than 10% of the total outstanding accounts receivable or (b) accounts receivable from any individual client located in the United Arab Emirates that are more than 120 days old (relative to the invoice date) constitute more than 14% of the total outstanding accounts receivable; provided that, in each case, the accounts receivable due from clients located in Libya that exist as of the Closing Date shall be excluded for all purposes of this covenant. The interest rate will be reset as soon as the accounts receivable over 120 days decline below the 10% or 14% levels. At December 31, 2014, no client's accounts receivable exceeded the proscribed limits.
	The following tables set forth the Maximum Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio requirements for all reporting periods and the Company's actual ratio at December 31, 2014:
	Period ending		Not to exceed		Actual
	December 31, 2014			3.50		3.10
	March 31, 2015			3.50
	June 30, 2015			3.50
	September 30, 2015			3.25
	December 31, 2015			3.25
	March 31, 2016			3.00
	June 30, 2016			3.00
	September 30, 2016			2.75
	December 31, 2016			2.75
	March 31, 2017			2.50
	June 30, 2017			2.50
	September 30, 2017			2.25
	December 31, 2017			2.25
	March 31, 2018			2.00
	June 30, 2018			2.00
	September 30, 2018			2.00
	December 31, 2018			2.00
	Thereafter			1.75
	The U.S. Credit Facilities are guaranteed by certain U.S. subsidiaries of the Company, and the International Revolver is guaranteed by the Company and certain of the Company's U.S. and non-U.S. subsidiaries.
	In connection with the Refinancing, the Company wrote off deferred financing fees amounting to $1,482,000 by a charge to interest expense and related financing fees, net for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	Term Loan Facility
	The Company used the proceeds from the Term Loan Facility:
	•	for consummating the payoff and termination of the Company's then-existing credit arrangements (the "Refinancing") which consist of the Credit Agreement, dated as of October 18, 2012, among the Company, certain lenders and Obsidian Agency Services, Inc., as amended (the "2012 Term Loan Agreement"), and the Credit Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2009, among the Company, Bank of America, N.A. and certain other lenders, as amended; and
	•	to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Secured Credit Facilities.
	The interest rate on the Term Loan Facility will be, at the Company's option, either:
	•	the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") for the relevant interest period plus 6.75% per annum, provided that such LIBOR shall not be lower than 1.00% per annum; or
	•	the Base Rate (as described below) plus 5.75% per annum.
	The "Base Rate" is a per annum rate equal to the highest of (A) the prime rate, (B) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50%, or (C) the LIBOR for an interest period of one month plus 1.0% per annum. Upon a default, the applicable rate of interest under the Secured Credit Facilities may increase by 2.0%. The LIBOR on the Term Loan Facilities (including when determining the Base Rate) shall in no event be less than 1.0% per annum.
	The Company has the right to prepay the Term Loan Facility in full or in part at any time without premium or penalty; provided, however that upon the occurrence of prepayments relating to certain repricing transactions within the first year following closing, a 1.0% prepayment premium will be payable. The Company is required to make mandatory prepayments of the Term Loan Facility, without premium or penalty, (i) with net proceeds of any issuance or incurrence of indebtedness by the Company after the closing, (ii) with net proceeds from certain asset sales outside the ordinary course of business, and (iii) with 50% of the excess cash flow (as defined in the agreement) for each fiscal year of the Borrowers commencing with the first full fiscal year ending after closing (which percentage would be reduced to 25% if the Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio is equal to or less than 2.25 to 1.00 or reduced to 0% if the Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio is equal to or less than 1.50 to 1.00).
	The Term Loan Facility is generally secured by a first-priority security interest in substantially all assets of the Company and certain of the Company's U.S. subsidiaries other than accounts receivable, cash proceeds thereof and certain bank accounts, as to which the Term Loan Facility is secured by a second-priority security interest.
	The Term Loan Facility has a term of six years, requires repayment of 0.25% of the original principal amount on a quarterly basis commencing on December 31, 2014 and ending on September 30, 2020, and was fully funded at closing. Any amounts repaid on the Term Loan Facility will not be available to be re-borrowed.
	The Company incurred fees and expenses related to the Term Loan Facility aggregating $7,066,000 which has been deferred and the unamortized balance is included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014. The deferred fees are being amortized to interest and related financing fees, net over a six-year period which commenced on October 1, 2014.
	Revolving Credit Facilities
	The Company is required to use the proceeds from the Revolving Credit Facilities:
	•	for the Refinancing;
	•	to finance the working capital needs and general corporate purposes of the Borrowers and their subsidiaries;
	•	to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Secured Credit Facilities; and
	•	for any other purposes not prohibited by the Secured Credit Facilities.
	The interest rate on borrowings under the U.S. Revolver will be, at the Company's option from time to time, either the LIBOR for the relevant interest period plus 3.75% per annum or the Base Rate plus 2.75% per annum.
	The interest rate on borrowings under the International Revolver will be the European Inter-Bank Offered Rate, or "EURIBOR," for the relevant interest period (or at a substitute rate to be determined to the extent EURIBOR is not available) plus 4.00% per annum.
	The Company will pay a commitment fee calculated at 0.50% annually on the average daily unused portion of the U.S. Revolver, and the Subsidiary will pay a commitment fee calculated at 0.75% annually on the average daily unused portion of the International Revolver.
	The ability to borrow under each of the U.S. Revolver and the International Revolver is subject to a "borrowing base," calculated using a formula based upon approximately 85% of receivables that meet or satisfy certain criteria ("Eligible Receivables") and that are subject to a perfected security interest held by either the U.S. Lenders or the International Lender, plus, in the case of the International Revolver only, 10% of Eligible Receivables that are not subject to a perfected security interest held by the International Lender, subject to certain exceptions and restrictions.
The Company or the Subsidiary, as applicable, will be required to make mandatory prepayments under their respective Revolving Credit Facilities to the extent that the aggregate outstanding amount thereunder exceeds the then-applicable borrowing base, which payments will be made without penalty or premium. At December 31, 2014, the domestic borrowing base was $28,975,000 and the international borrowing base was $15,000,000.
Generally, the obligations of the Company under the U.S. Revolver are secured by a first-priority security interest in the above-referenced accounts receivable, cash proceeds and bank accounts of the Company and certain of the Company's U.S. subsidiaries, and a second-priority security interest in substantially all other assets of the Company and such subsidiaries. The obligations of the Subsidiary under the International Revolver would generally be secured by a first-priority security interest in substantially all accounts receivable, cash proceeds thereof and certain bank accounts of the Subsidiary and certain of the Company's non-U.S. subsidiaries, and a second-priority security interest in substantially all other assets of the Company and certain of the Company's U.S. and non-U.S. subsidiaries.
The Revolving Credit Facilities have a term of five years and require payment of interest only during the term. Under the Revolving Credit Facilities, outstanding loans may be repaid in whole or in part at any time, without premium or penalty, subject to certain customary limitations, and will be available to be re-borrowed from time to time.
The Company incurred fees and expenses related to the Revolving Credit Facilities aggregating $2,300,000 which has been deferred and the unamortized balance is included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014. The deferred fees are being amortized to interest expense and related financing fees, net over a five-year period which commenced on October 1, 2014.
At December 31, 2014, the Company had $16,836,000 of outstanding letters of credit and $11,939,000 of available borrowing capacity under the U.S. Revolver.
At December 31, 2014, the Company had $6,722,000 of outstanding letters of credit and $10,086,000 of available borrowing capacity under the International Revolver and its other foreign credit agreements (See "Other Debt Arrangements" below for more information).
2012 Term Loan Agreement
The Company entered into a Term Loan Agreement on October 18, 2012, which was amended from time to time. Borrowings under the 2012 Term Loan Agreement were collateralized by a second lien on substantially all of the Company's assets, including, without limitation, accounts receivable, equipment, securities, financial assets and the proceeds of the foregoing, as well as by a pledge of 65% of the outstanding capital stock of its wholly-owned foreign subsidiary, Hill International N.V., and of certain of its other foreign subsidiaries. The maturity date of the Term Loan was scheduled for October 18, 2016.
The Company paid interest on amounts outstanding at a rate per annum equal to 7.50%.
Also, contemporaneous with its entry into the 2012 Term Loan Agreement, the Company entered into a Fee Letter. The Fee Letter required the Company to pay to the Lenders an exit fee (the "Exit Fee"), which fee was earned in full on the Closing Date and was due and payable on September 26, 2014, the date the 2012 Term Loan was paid in full (the "Exit Date"). The Exit Fee meant the amount, if any, when paid to the Term Loan Lenders on the Exit Date, that would result in the internal annual rate of return to the Term Loan Lenders on the Exit Date being equal to, but no greater than, 20%; provided that in no event would the Exit Fee amount be less than $0 or greater than $11,790,000. The IRR was to be calculated as the rate of return earned by the Term Loan Lenders on their initial investment in the 2012 Term Loan (calculated as the principal amount of the Term Loan less the Closing Fee of $25,000,000, or $75,000,000) through the Exit Date taking into account the payment by the Company to the Term Loan Lenders of all principal, interest and other payments to the Term Loan Lenders pursuant to the 2012 Term Loan Agreement. There was no Exit Fee payable upon the payoff and termination of the Term Loan.
On August 6, 2014, the Company made a mandatory principal prepayment of $9,522,000 from funds received in the equity offering. On September 26, 2014, the Company paid $90,478,000 (including accelerated principal of $9,338,000 which was charged to interest expense and related financing fees, net for the year ended December 31, 2014), plus interest of $1,659,000, to payoff and terminate the Term Loan.
2009 Revolving Credit Agreement
The Company entered into a Credit Agreement, dated June 30, 2009 (the "2009 Revolving Credit Agreement"), with Bank of America, N.A., Capital One, N.A., The PrivateBank and Trust Company, PNC Bank N.A. (the "Lenders"), and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent which was amended from time to time.
The maturity date of the 2009 Revolving Credit Agreement was scheduled for March 31, 2015. On September 26, 2014, the Company paid $25,500,000 (including $9,522,000 from funds received in the equity offering, plus interest of $420,000, to payoff and terminate the 2009 Revolving Credit Agreement.
Other Debt Arrangements
The Company's subsidiary, Hill International (Spain) S.A. ("Hill Spain"), maintains a revolving credit facility with six banks (the "Financing Entities") in Spain which initially provided for total borrowings of up to €5,640,000 with interest at 6.50% on outstanding borrowings. The original available amount was reduced to approximately 75.0% at December 31, 2014 and will be reduced to 50.0% at December 31, 2015. Additionally, the availability is reduced by €15,000 on a quarterly basis. At December 31, 2014, the total facility was approximately €4,170,000 (approximately $5,071,000) and borrowings outstanding were €4,142,000 (approximately $5,037,000). The amount being financed ("Credit Contracts") by each Financing Entity varies from €284,000 (approximately $346,000) and €1,319,000 (approximately $1,604,000). To guarantee Hill Spain's obligations resulting from the Credit Contracts, Hill Spain provided a guarantee in favor of each one of the Financing Entities and, additionally, and solely in the case of unremedied failure to make payment, and at the request of each of the Financing Entities, shall grant a first ranking pledge over a given percentage of corporate shares of Hill International Brasil Participacoes Ltda. for the principal, interest, fees, expenses or any other amount owed by virtue of the Credit Contracts, coinciding with the percentage of credit of each Financing entity with respect to the total outstanding borrowings under this facility. The facility expires on December 17, 2016.
Hill Spain maintains an unsecured credit facility with the Ibercaja Bank in Spain for €700,000 (approximately $851,000) at December 31, 2014. The availability will be reduced by €175,000 on a quarterly basis commencing on March 31, 2015. The interest rate at December 31, 2014 was 6.75%. At December 31, 2014, this facility had total borrowings outstanding of €613,000 (approximately $745,000). The facility expires on December 31, 2015.
The Company maintains a credit facility with the National Bank of Abu Dhabi which provides for total borrowings of up to AED 11,500,000 (approximately $3,131,000 at December 31, 2014) collateralized by certain overseas receivables. The interest rate is the one-month Emirates InterBank Offer Rate plus 3.00% (or 4.48% at December 31, 2014) but no less than 5.50%. At December 31, 2014, there were no borrowings outstanding. This facility also allows for to AED 127,033,000 (approximately $34,589,000 at December 31, 2014) in Letters of Guarantee of which AED 116,506,000 (approximately $31,741,000) were utilized at December 31, 2014. This facility is being renewed on a month-to-month basis. The Company is in the process of negotiating a new credit facility.
Engineering S.A. maintains three unsecured revolving credit facilities with two banks in Brazil aggregating 2,900,000 Brazilian Reais (approximately $1,091,000 at December 31, 2014), with a weighted average interest rate of 3.99% per month at December 31, 2014. There were no borrowings outstanding on any of these facilities which are renewed automatically every three months.
The Company also maintains relationships with other foreign banks for the issuance of letters of credit, letters of guarantee and performance bonds in a variety of foreign currencies. At December 31, 2014, the maximum U.S. dollar equivalent of the commitments was $69,270,000 of which $24,723,000 is outstanding.
Scheduled maturities of long term debt are as follows (in thousands):
Years Ending December 31,
2015		$	6,361
2016			4,575
2017			1,200
2018			1,200
2019			1,200
Thereafter			113,700
Total debt		$	128,236

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	Note 10—Supplemental Cash Flow Information
	The Company issues shares of its common stock to its non-employee directors as partial compensation for services on the Company's Board through the next annual stockholders meeting. See Note 11 for further information with respect to this plan.
	Other non-cash activity is provided in the following table:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013		2012
		(in thousands)
	Interest and related financing fees paid	$	22,753		$	13,372	$	16,952
	Income taxes paid	$	11,903		$	8,601	$	4,443
	Reduction of noncontrolling interest in connection with acquisitions of an additional interest in Engineering S.A.		(2,649	)		—		—
	Increase in additional paid in capital from issuance of shares of common stock related to purchase of CPI		618			—		—
	Increase in additional paid in capital from issuance of shares of common stock form cashless exercise of stock options		538			—		—
	Increase in intangible assets and goodwill in connection with acquisitions of Cadogans in 2014 and BCA and CPI in 2013	$	3,998		$	7,161	$	—
	Increase in deferred income taxes in connection with the acquisition of noncontrolling interests in Hill Spain	$	—		$	460	$	1,720
	Common stock issued for acquisitions of BCA and CPI	$	—		$	4,450	$	—

ShareBased_Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-Based Compensation
Share-Based Compensation	Note 11—Share-Based Compensation
	2009 Non-Employee Director Stock Grant Plan
	The 2009 Non-Employee Director Stock Grant Plan covers 400,000 shares of the Company's common stock. Only the Company's Non-Employee Directors are eligible to receive grants under the plan. Information with respect to the plan's activity follows (in thousands):
			Years Ended
			December 31,
			2014			2013			2012
	Shares issued			26			52			52
	Compensation expense		$	175		$	150		$	150
	2008 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
	The Employee Stock Purchase Plan covers 2,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock. Eligible employees may purchase shares at 85% of the fair market value on the date of purchase. Information with respect to the plan's activity follows (in thousands):
			Years Ended
			December 31,
			2014			2013			2012
	Shares purchased			55			51			37
	Aggregate purchase price		$	197		$	162		$	105
	Compensation expense		$	35		$	24		$	19
	2007 Restricted Stock Grant Plan
	The 2007 Restricted Stock Grant Plan covered 340,000 shares of the Company's common stock. Awards aggregating 335,000 shares were approved by the Compensation Committee on February 28, 2007. The shares vested annually over a five-year period commencing on February 28, 2008. Through December 31, 2013, the Company has issued 317,000 shares of its common stock. Under the terms of the plan, no further grants may be made. Information with respect to the plan follows (in thousands):
			Years Ended
			December 31,
			2014			2013			2012
	Shares issued (canceled)			(2	)		—			61
	Compensation expense		$	(8	)	$	—		$	180
	2006 Employee Stock Option Plan
	The 2006 Employee Stock Option Plan, as amended, covers 10,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock. Under its terms, directors, officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries are eligible to receive non-qualified and incentive stock options. Options granted to non-employee directors vest immediately and have a five year contractual term. Options granted to officers and employees vest over five years and have a seven-year contractual term. Generally, each option has an exercise price equal to the closing quoted market price of a share of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. For grants of incentive stock options, if the grantee owns, or is deemed to own, 10% or more of the total voting power of the Company, then the exercise price shall be 110% of the closing quoted market price on the date of grant and the option will have a five-year contractual term. Options that are forfeited or expire are available for future grants. At December 31, 2014, a total of 2,057,474 shares of common stock were reserved for future issuance under the plan. On January 2, 2015, the Company issued options to purchase 500,000 shares of its common stock to the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. The options have an exercise price of $3.91 per share, vest over five years, have a seven-year contractual life and have a fair value of $1,010,000. On January 27, 2015 the Company issued options to purchase 525,000 shares of its common stock to various executives. The options have an exercise price of $4.04 per share, vest over five years, have a seven-year contractual life and have a fair value of $1,087,000.
	The Black-Scholes option valuation model is used to estimate the fair value of the options. The following table summarizes the fair value of options granted during 2014, 2013 and 2012 and the assumptions used to estimate the fair value:
			December 31,
			2014		2013		2012
	Average expected life (years)		4.59		4.29		3.66
	Forfeiture range		0 - 5.0%		0 - 5.0%		0%
	Weighted average forfeiture rate		0.90%		0.90%		0%
	Dividends		0%		0%		0%
	Volatility range		61.5 - 65.5%		67.8 - 73.5%		70.8 - 78.4%
	Weighted average volatility		62.90%		71.70%		77.50%
	Range of risk-free interest rates		0.86 - 1.74%		0.50 - 1.36%		0.36 - 0.86%
	Weighted average risk-free interest rate		1.67%		0.77%		0.80%
	Weighted average fair value at grant date		$2.28		$1.95		$2.52
	The expected term of the options is estimated based on the "simplified method" as permitted by SAB No. 110. Expected volatility was calculated using the average historical volatility of similar public companies through June 30, 2011 and of the Company thereafter. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury yields for securities in effect at the time of grants with terms approximating the term of the grants. The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option valuation model are highly subjective, particularly as to stock price volatility of the underlying stock, which can materially affect the resulting valuation.
	A summary of the Company's stock option activity and related information for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
	(in thousands, except exercise price and remaining life data)		Options			Weighted			Weighted			Aggregate
						Average			Average			Intrinsic
						Exercise			Remaining			Value
						Price			Contractual
									Life
	Outstanding, December 31, 2011			3,821			5.29
	Granted			994			5.17
	Exercised			(10	)		2.45
	Expired			(117	)		7.48
	Forfeited			(44	)		4.94
	Outstanding, December 31, 2012			4,644			5.22
	Granted			2,076			3.8
	Exercised			(8	)		2.45
	Expired			(101	)		12.42
	Forfeited			(37	)		4.02
	Outstanding, December 31, 2013			6,574		$	4.67
	Granted			1,849			4.57
	Exercised			(524	)		3
	Expired			(496	)		7.66
	Forfeited			(44	)		4.37
	Outstanding, December 31, 2014			7,359			4.57			3.19		$	—
	Exercisable, December 31, 2014			3,302		$	5.23			1.72		$	—
	Aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the exercise prices and the closing stock price on December 31, 2014. At December 31, 2014, the weighted average exercise price of the outstanding options was $4.57 and the closing stock price was $3.84.
	For various price ranges, weighted average characteristics of outstanding stock options at December 31, 2014 are as follows:
				Options Outstanding									Options Exercisable
Exercise			Number			Weighted			Weighted			Number		Weighted
Prices			Outstanding at			Average			Average			Exercisable at		Average
			December 31,			Remaining			Exercise			December 31,		Exercise
			2014			Contractual			Price			2014		Price
						Life
$	2.45			559,489			1.17		$	2.45			559,489	$	2.45
	2.85			90,908			2.45			2.85			90,908		2.85
	2.89			116,280			3.43			2.89			116,280		2.89
	3.12			10,000			5.60			3.12			2,000		3.12
	3.67			888,000			5.06			3.67			172,000		3.67
	3.89			3,000			4.39			3.89			3,000		3.89
	3.95			500,000			6.01			3.95			—		—
	4.04			1,000,000			3.06			4.04			250,000		4.04
	4.19			25,000			1.13			4.19			25,000		4.19
	4.25			84,868			0.42			4.25			84,868		4.25
	4.35			500,000			4.01			4.35			—		—
	4.37			10,000			1.34			4.37			10,000		4.37
	4.92			5,000			1.59			4.92			5,000		4.92
	4.95			775,000			6.19			4.95			—		—
	5.31			20,000			2.07			5.31			16,000		5.31
	5.47			880,200			2.18			5.47			440,100		5.47
	5.73			8,000			3.84			5.73			4,000		5.73
	5.83			265,000			2.25			5.83			212,000		5.83
	6.31			261,725			2.95			6.31			181,725		6.31
	6.32			10,000			0.84			6.32			10,000		6.32
	6.41			320,000			0.24			6.41			320,000		6.41
	6.50			3,000			0.12			6.50			3,000		6.50
	6.61			63,870			4.45			6.61			63,870		6.61
	7.32			907,336			1.07			7.32			680,502		7.32
	11.10			20,000			0.08			11.10			20,000		11.10
	12.82			22,500			0.12			12.82			22,500		12.82
	16.79			10,000			0.59			16.79			10,000		16.79
				7,359,176			3.19		$	4.57			3,302,242	$	5.23
In the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded share-based compensation related to stock options of approximately $3,292,000, $2,787,000 and $2,107,000, respectively, which is included in selling, general and administrative expenses.
The following table summarizes the Company's non-vested stock option activity and related information for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
(in thousands, except weighted average grant date fair value)		Options			Average
					Grant Date
					Fair Value
					Per Share
Non-vested options at December 31, 2011			2,414			2.23
Granted			994			2.52
Vested			(881	)		2.12
Forfeited			(44	)		2.15
Non-vested options at December 31, 2012			2,483			2.39
Granted			2,076			1.95
Vested			(981	)		2.14
Forfeited			(37	)		2.17
Non-vested options at December 31, 2013			3,541			2.2
Granted			1,849			2.28
Vested			(1,289	)		2.19
Forfeited			(44	)		2.33
Non-vested options at December 31, 2014			4,057		$	2.24
At December 31, 2014, total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested options was $6,153,000 and will be recognized over the remaining weighted-average service period of 1.96 years.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Equity
Stockholders' Equity	Note 12—Stockholders' Equity
	Stock Repurchase Program
	Under its stock repurchase program, the Company is authorized to purchase shares of its common stock up to a total purchase price of $60,000,000. To date, the Company has purchased 5,834,369 shares of its common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $24,438,000, or an average of approximately $4.19 per share. Under the terms of its Secured Credit Facilities (see Note 9), the Company may make additional purchases up to an aggregate of $3,000,000 as long as immediately before and after giving effect to the purchase, no event of default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time.
	Other
	On March 7, 2014, the Company issued 171,308 shares of its common stock aggregating $618,000 to the former shareholders of Collaborative Partners, Inc. as payment for equity in excess of that required under the acquisition agreement.
	In March 2014, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer exercised 200,000 options with an exercise price of $2.70 through the Company on a cashless basis. The Company withheld 112,788 shares as payment for the options and placed those shares in treasury stock. The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer received 87,212 shares from this transaction.
	On August 6, 2014, in connection with the Refinancing (See Note 9), the Company sold 9,546,629 shares of its common stock in an underwritten equity offering and received net proceeds aggregating approximately $38,078,000, of which two mandatory prepayments of $9,522,402 were used to pay down the 2012 Term Loan Agreement and the 2009 Revolving Credit Agreement.
	We have an effective registration statement on Form S-3 on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") which registered 20,000,000 shares of our common stock for issuance and sale by us at various times in the future. The proceeds, if any, will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, subject to the restrictions of our Secured Credit Facilities.
	In addition, we have an effective registration statement on Form S-4 on file with the SEC which registered 20,000,000 shares of our common stock, which includes 6,438,923 shares of our common stock registered under a previous Form S-4, for use in future acquisitions. During 2013, we issued 1,389,769 shares in connection with our acquisitions of BCA and CPI. During 2014, we issued 171,308 shares in connection with certain additional consideration for CPI. We expect to issue shares of our common stock in connection with certain contingent consideration for those two companies.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes
Income Taxes	Note 13—Income Taxes
	The effective tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were (697.9%), 63.0% and (104.2%), respectively. The difference in the Company's 2014 effective tax rate compared to the 2013 rate is primarily related to a significant increase in the U.S. pretax loss in 2014 primarily due to the recognition of an additional $10,820,000 of interest expense related to the refinancing and early termination of the Company's former senior credit facility and term loan during the third quarter of 2014. For all the years presented, the Company's effective tax rate is significantly higher than it otherwise would be primarily as a result of not being able to record an income tax benefit related to the U.S. net operating loss and various foreign withholding taxes. This was partially offset in 2013 and 2014 by approximately $2,500,000 of reversal for uncertain tax positions based on management's assessment that those items were effectively settled with a foreign jurisdiction.
	The difference in the Company's 2013 effective tax rate over 2012 was primarily the result of not recording an income tax benefit related to the 2013 U.S. net operating loss which management believes the Company will not be able to utilize. In addition, the Company recognized higher income tax expense related to withholding taxes on certain foreign operations. These items were partially offset by the $2,473,000 reversal for uncertain tax positions based on management's assessment that those items were effectively settled with a foreign jurisdiction.
	The components of earnings (loss) before income taxes by United States and foreign jurisdictions were as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	United States	$	(39,635	)	$	(26,460	)	$	(19,172	)
	Foreign jurisdictions		38,430			36,054			6,269
		$	(1,205	)	$	9,594		$	(12,903	)
	Income tax (benefit) expense consists of the following:
		Current			Deferred			Total
		(in thousands)
	Year ended December 31, 2014:
	U.S. federal	$	—		$	—		$	—
	State and local		—			—			—
	Foreign jurisdictions		10,036			(1,625	)		8,411
		$	10,036		$	(1,625	)	$	8,411
	Year ended December 31, 2013:
	U.S. federal	$	—		$	—		$	—
	State and local		—			—			—
	Foreign jurisdictions		7,245			(1,202	)		6,043
		$	7,245		$	(1,202	)	$	6,043
	Year ended December 31, 2012:
	U.S. federal	$	285		$	10,586		$	10,871
	State and local		(12	)		(1,684	)		(1,696	)
	Foreign jurisdictions		7,913			(3,646	)		4,267
		$	8,186		$	5,256		$	13,442
	The increase in the expense for 2014 over 2013 results from increased pretax profits from foreign operations, the mix of tax rates in those jurisdictions and no offsetting tax benefits arising from the Company's U.S. net operating losses which management believes the Company will not be able to utilize.
	The differences between income taxes based on the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate and the Company's effective income tax rate are provided in the following reconciliation.
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Statutory federal income tax	$	(410	)	$	3,262		$	(4,387	)
	Foreign tax benefit for earnings taxed at lower rates		(2,285	)		(3,907	)		1,837
	Change in the valuation allowance		15,409			10,783			18,258
	Net liability (reductions) additions for uncertain tax positions		(2,379	)		(2,314	)		(350	)
	Excess compensation		646			204			170
	State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit		(2,076	)		(1,476	)		(1,065	)
	Stock options		224			230			(356	)
	Deferred tax adjustment		—			—			(497	)
	Purchase accounting reversal		(490	)		—			—
	Reversal of interest allocations to foreign entities		—			(1,014	)		—
	Other		(228	)		275			(168	)
	Total	$	8,411		$	6,043		$	13,442
	The tax effect of temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows:
		December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Deferred tax assets:
	Net operating loss carry forward—U.S. operations	$	40,065		$	25,185
	Amortization of intangibles		7,329			6,657
	Net operating loss carry forward—foreign operations		8,558			6,389
	Compensated absences		2,458			2,574
	Foreign income taxes on currency translation		1,007			—
	Share based compensation		3,026			2,087
	Allowance for uncollectible accounts		1,003			933
	Bonus accrual		1,087			1,373
	Deferred income		485			19
	Foreign tax credit		982			956
	Other		875			671
	Total gross deferred tax assets		66,875			46,844
	Valuation allowances		(49,254	)		(31,257	)
	Net deferred tax assets		17,621			15,587
Deferred tax liabilities:
Intangible assets		(13,205	)		(14,013	)
Depreciation		(1,297	)		(1,512	)
Prepaid expenses		(1,159	)		(632	)
Change in tax method		(279	)		(369	)
Foreign income taxes on currency translations		—			(575	)
Total gross deferred tax liabilities		(15,940	)		(17,101	)
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	$	1,681		$	(1,514	)
Amounts included in the consolidated balance sheets:
Current deferred tax assets	$	1,188		$	1,705
Non-current deferred tax assets		15,426			13,882
Current deferred tax liabilities		(279	)		(369	)
Non-current deferred tax liabilities		(14,654	)		(16,732	)
	$	1,681		$	(1,514	)
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities and projected future taxable income in making this assessment. Management evaluates the need for valuation allowances on the deferred tax assets according to the provisions of ASC 740, Income Taxes. They consider both positive and negative evidence. In making this determination, management assesses all of the evidence available at the time including recent earnings, internally-prepared income projections, and historical financial performance.
At December 31, 2012, due to recurring net operating losses in the United States, management determined that it was more likely than not that the Company would not be able to utilize its U.S.-related deferred tax assets. The Company continues to generate U.S. net operating losses and has recorded additional valuation allowances of $9,062,000 and $15,319,000 at December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively. As a result, the U.S. deferred tax assets, net of U.S.-based deferred tax liabilities, are fully reserved at December 31, 2014. Cumulative U.S. federal and state net operating losses at December 31, 2014 are $101,071,000 and $104,076,000, respectively.
At December 31, 2014 and 2013, there were approximately $33,933,000 and $24,013,000, respectively, of gross foreign net operating loss carry forwards. The majority of these net operating loss carry forwards have an unlimited carry forward period. A valuation allowance of $7,167,000 and $4,489,000 was recorded at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, related to the foreign net operating losses in certain jurisdictions. It is anticipated that these losses will not be utilized due to continuing losses in these jurisdictions.
The Company has made no provision for U.S. taxes on $147,997,000 of cumulative earnings of foreign subsidiaries as those earnings are intended to be reinvested for an indefinite period of time and are not intended to be distributed to the U.S. Upon distribution of these earnings in the form of dividends or otherwise, the Company may be subject to U.S. income taxes and foreign withholding taxes. It is not practical, however, to estimate the amount of taxes that may be payable on the eventual repatriation of these earnings.
In 2013, deferred tax assets and additional paid in capital were reduced by $583,000 to record the differential between book expense and tax expense related to the vesting of restricted stock.
The Company will recognize a tax benefit in the financial statements for an uncertain tax position only if management's assessment is that the position is "more likely than not" (i.e., a likelihood greater than 50 percent) to be allowed by the tax jurisdiction based solely on the technical merits of the position. The term "tax position" refers to a position in a previously filed tax return or a position expected to be taken in a future tax return that is reflected in measuring current or deferred income tax assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes.
The following table indicates the changes to the Company's uncertain tax positions for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 including interest and penalties:
	Years Ended
	December 31,
	2014			2013
	(in thousands)
Balance, beginning of year	$	2,933		$	5,033
Reductions based on tax positions related to prior years		(2,683	)		(2,473	)
Additions based on tax positions related to prior years		725			373
Balance, end of year	$	975		$	2,933
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and in various state and foreign jurisdictions. The Company generally is no longer subject to U.S. or state examinations by tax authorities for taxable years prior to 2011. However, net operating losses utilized for prior years in subsequent year's tax returns are subject to examination until three years after the filing of subsequent year's tax return. The statute of limitations expiration in foreign jurisdictions for corporate tax returns generally ranges between two and five years depending on the jurisdiction.
The Company's policy is to record income tax related interest and penalties in income tax expense. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company has accrued $520,000 and $172,000, respectively, related to potential interest and penalties.
The Company's income tax returns are based on calculations and assumptions that are subject to examinations by the Internal Revenue Service and other tax authorities. While the Company believes it has appropriate support for the positions taken on its tax returns, the Company regularly assesses the potential outcomes of these examinations and any future examinations for the current or prior years in determining the adequacy of its provision for income taxes. As part of its assessment of potential adjustments to its tax returns, the Company increases its current tax liability to the extent an adjustment would result in a cash tax payment or decreases its deferred tax assets to the extent an adjustment would not result in a cash tax payment. The Company continually assesses the likelihood and amount of potential adjustments and adjusts the income tax provision, the current tax liability and deferred taxes in the period in which the facts that give rise to a revision become known.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies
	Note 14—Commitments and Contingencies
	General Litigation
	M.A. Angeliades, Inc. ("Plaintiff") has filed a complaint with the Supreme Court of New York against the Company and the New York City Department of Design and Construction ("DDC") regarding payment of approximately $8,771,000 for work performed as a subcontractor to the Company plus interest and other costs. The Company has accrued approximately $2,340,000, including interest of $448,000, based on invoices received from Plaintiff who has refused to provide invoices for the additional work that Plaintiff claims to have performed. Until such time as the Company obtains invoices for the additional work and is able to provide those invoices to DDC for reimbursement or there is a full resolution of the litigation, it has no intention of paying Plaintiff. The Company believes that its position is defensible, however, there can be no assurance that it will receive a favorable verdict should this case proceed to trial.
	From time to time, the Company is a defendant or plaintiff in various legal actions which arise in the normal course of business. As such the Company is required to assess the likelihood of any adverse outcomes to these matters as well as potential ranges of probable losses. A determination of the amount of the provision required for these commitments and contingencies, if any, which would be charged to earnings, is made after careful analysis of each matter. The provision may change in the future due to new developments or changes in circumstances. Changes in the provision could increase or decrease the Company's earnings in the period the changes are made. It is the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
	Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
	The Company enters into agreements with banks for the banks to issue bonds to clients or potential clients for three separate purposes as follows:
	-1	Certain of the Company's subsidiaries (Hill International N.V., Hill International (UK) Ltd. and Hill International (Middle East) Ltd.) have entered into contracts for the performance of construction management services which provide that the Company receive advance payment of some of the management fee from the client prior to commencement of the construction project. However, the clients require a guarantee of service performance in the form of an advance payment bond. These bonds are evidenced by Letters of Guarantee issued by the subsidiaries' banks in favor of the clients. In some cases these clients also require a parent company guarantee.
	-2	The Company may also enter into certain contracts which require a performance bond to be issued by a bank in favor of the client for a portion of the value of the contract. These bonds may be exercised by the client in instances where the Company fails to provide the contracted services.
	-3	Certain clients may require bonds as part of the bidding process for new work. The bid bonds are provided to demonstrate the financial strength of the companies seeking the work and are usually outstanding for short periods. If the bid is rejected the bond is cancelled and if the bid is accepted the Company may be required to provide a performance bond.
	The maximum potential future payment under these arrangements at December 31, 2014 was $80,022,000.
	Cash held in restricted accounts as collateral for the issuance of performance and advance payment bonds and letters of credit at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were $16,007,000 and $18,506,000, respectively.
	Acquisition-related
	On February 28, 2011, the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary Hill Spain acquired an indirect 60% interest in Engineering S.A. ("ESA"), a firm located in Brazil, for cash amounting to 22,200,000 Brazilian Reais ("BR") (approximately $11,757,000). Minimum additional payments were made on April 30, 2012 in the amount of BR 6,624,000 (approximately $3,508,000 on that date) and on July 23, 2013 in the amount of BR 11,372,000 (approximately $5,095,000). Under certain circumstances, the Company may be required to pay BR 5,000,000 (approximately $2,468,000 at December 31, 2012) in addition to the minimum payments. Also, ESA's shareholders entered into an agreement whereby the minority shareholders have a right to compel ("ESA Put Option") Hill Spain to purchase any or all of their shares during the period from February 28, 2014 to February 28, 2021. Hill Spain also has the right to compel ("ESA Call Option") the minority shareholders to sell any or all of their shares during the same time period. The purchase price for such shares shall be seven times the earnings before interest and taxes for ESA's most recently ended fiscal year, net of any financial debt plus excess cash multiplied by a percentage which the shares to be purchased bear to the total number of shares outstanding at the time of purchase, but in the event the ESA Call Option is exercised by Hill Spain, the purchase price shall be increased by five percent. The ESA Put Option and the ESA Call Option must be made within three months after the audited financial statements of ESA have been completed. See Note 3.
	The Company is committed to issue shares of its common stock to the former shareholders of CPI for certain contingent consideration. The number of shares will be determined at various times during 2014. See Note 3.
	The Company is committed to pay additional consideration for the purchase of Cadogans in the amount of £519,000 to be paid in cash on October 31, 2015 and an earn out based upon the average earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for the two-year period ending on October 31, 2016 (which amount shall not be less than £0 nor more than £200,000). See Note 3.
	Other
	On December 31, 2012, the Company identified a potential employment tax liability related to certain foreign subsidiaries' treatment of certain individuals as independent contractors rather than as employees. On June 24, 2013, the Company received an indemnification from the selling shareholders for periods prior to 2013. Accordingly, the Company has reversed the accrual established in 2012 and has reflected approximately $3,600,000 as a credit to selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2013. In consideration for the indemnification, the Company reversed the 2013 first quarter write-down of the liabilities for the second installment obligation of approximately 1,950,000 BRL (approximately $873,000). In addition, the Company believes, based upon certain professional advice that it is remote that a future liability will be established for the potential employment taxes relating to certain foreign independent contractors and, therefore, has made no accrual for such potential liability.

Operating_Leases

Operating Leases	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Operating Leases
Operating Leases
	Note 15—Operating Leases
	The Company has numerous operating leases which have various expiration dates through April 30, 2027. Rent expense was approximately $13,902,000, $12,408,000 and $12,538,000 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, which is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings. The Company is required to pay property taxes, utilities and other costs related to several of its leased office facilities.
	At December 31, 2014, approximate future minimum payments under these leases that have remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year are as follows (in thousands):
	Years Ending December 31,
	2015		12,422
	2016		9,143
	2017		7,665
	2018		6,097
	2019		4,897
	Thereafter		15,270
	Total	$	55,494

Benefit_Plans

Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Benefit Plans
Benefit Plans
	Note 16—Benefit Plans
	The Company maintains a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan (the "401(k) Plan") for qualified employees. The terms of the 401(k) Plan define qualified employees as those over 21 years of age. Through April 30, 2012, the Company matched 50% of the employee contributions up to 6% of employee compensation. Effective May 1, 2012, the Company suspended its matching contribution. Effective January 1, 2013, the Company matches 50% of employee contributions up to 2% of employee compensation up to a maximum $2,550. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized expense amounting to $801,000, $734,000 and $666,000, respectively, which is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings.

Business_Segment_Information

Business Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Segment Information
Business Segment Information
	Note 17—Business Segment Information
	The Company's business segments reflect how executive management makes resource decisions and assesses its performance. The Company bases these decisions on the type of services provided (Project Management and Construction Claims) and secondarily by their geography (U.S./Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia/Pacific).
	The Project Management business segment provides extensive construction and project management services to construction owners worldwide. Such services include program management, project management, construction management, project management oversight, troubled project turnaround, staff augmentation, project labor agreement consulting, commissioning, estimating and cost management, and labor compliance services.
	The Construction Claims business segment provides such services as claims consulting, management consulting, litigation support, expert witness testimony, cost/damages assessment, delay/disruption analysis, adjudication, lender advisory, risk management, forensic accounting, fraud investigation and Project Neutral services to clients worldwide.
	The Company evaluates the performance of its segments primarily on operating profit before corporate overhead allocations and income taxes.
	The following tables reflect the required disclosures for the Company's reportable segments (in thousands):
	Consulting Fee Revenue ("CFR")
		2014						2013					2012
	Project Management	$	427,515			74.2	%	$	392,602		76.7	%	$	312,232	74.8	%
	Construction Claims		148,290			25.8			119,483		23.3			105,366	25.2
	Total	$	575,805			100.0	%	$	512,085		100.0	%	$	417,598	100.0	%
	Total Revenue:
		2014						2013					2012
	Project Management	$	486,442			76.0	%	$	452,517		78.5	%	$	372,281	77.4	%
	Construction Claims		153,839			24.0			124,164		21.5			108,500	22.6
	Total	$	640,281			100.0	%	$	576,681		100.0	%	$	480,781	100.0	%
	Operating Profit:
		2014			2013			2012
	Project Management	$	48,516		$	48,682		$	23,273
	Construction Claims		10,996			12,171			8,071
	Corporate		(30,232	)		(28,395	)		(26,097	)
	Total	$	29,280		$	32,458		$	5,247
	Depreciation and Amortization Expense:
		2014			2013			2012
	Project Management	$	6,888		$	7,677		$	9,172
	Construction Claims		2,719			2,852			2,998
	Subtotal segments		9,607			10,529			12,170
	Corporate		216			227			260
	Total	$	9,823		$	10,756		$	12,430
	Consulting Fee Revenue by Geographic Region:
		2014						2013					2012
	U.S./Canada	$	125,691			21.8	%	$	121,291		23.7	%	$	117,593	28.2	%
	Latin America		40,844			7.1			49,188		9.6			51,820	12.4
	Europe		79,009			13.7			75,398		14.7			84,267	20.2
	Middle East		270,924			47.1			219,315		42.8			134,037	32.1
	Africa		23,849			4.1			22,744		4.4			13,591	3.3
	Asia/Pacific		35,488			6.2			24,149		4.8			16,290	3.8
	Total	$	575,805			100.0	%	$	512,085		100.0	%	$	417,598	100.0	%
	U.S.	$	122,096			21.2	%	$	117,740		23.0	%	$	114,368	27.4	%
	Non-U.S.		453,709			78.8			394,345		77.0			303,230	72.6
	Total	$	575,805			100.0	%	$	512,085		100.0	%	$	417,598	100.0	%
	For the year ended December 31, 2014, consulting fee revenue for the United Arab Emirates amounted to $73,329,000 representing 12.7% of the total and Oman's consulting fee revenue amounted to $66,896,000 representing 11.6% of the total. No other country except for the United States accounted for over 10% of consolidated consulting fee revenue.
	For the year ended December 31, 2013, consulting fee revenue for the United Arab Emirates amounted to $66,918,000 representing 13.1% of the total and Oman's consulting fee revenue amounted to $51,053,000 representing 10.0% of the total. No other country except for the United States accounted for over 10% of consolidated consulting fee revenue.
	For the year ended December 31, 2012, consulting fee revenue for the United Arab Emirates amounted to $61,729,000 representing 14.8% of the total and Brazil's consulting fee revenue amounted to $45,663,000 representing 10.9% of the total. No other country except for the United States accounted for over 10% of consolidated consulting fee revenue.
	Total Revenue by Geographic Region:
		2014						2013					2012
	U.S./Canada	$	170,550			26.6	%	$	171,012		29.7	%	$	167,682	34.9	%
	Latin America		41,106			6.4			49,546		8.6			52,046	10.8
	Europe		84,335			13.2			80,062		13.9			90,624	18.8
	Middle East		280,502			43.8			224,716		39.0			138,731	28.9
	Africa		27,474			4.3			26,186		4.5			15,303	3.2
	Asia/Pacific		36,314			5.7			25,159		4.3			16,395	3.4
	Total	$	640,281			100.0	%	$	576,681		100.0	%	$	480,781	100.0	%
	U.S.	$	166,893			26.1	%	$	167,314		29.0	%	$	164,347	34.2	%
	Non-U.S.		473,388			73.9			409,367		71.0			316,434	65.8
	Total	$	640,281			100.0	%	$	576,681		100.0	%	$	480,781	100.0	%
	For the year ended December 31, 2014, total revenue for the United Arab Emirates amounted to $74,708,000 representing 11.7% of the total and Oman's total revenue amounted to $70,798,000 representing 11.8% of the total. No other country except for the United States accounted for over 10% of consolidated total revenue.
	For the year ended December 31, 2013, total revenue for the United Arab Emirates amounted to $68,158,000 representing 11.8% of the total. No other country except for the United States accounted for over 10% of consolidated total revenue.
	For the year ended December 31, 2012, total revenue for the United Arab Emirates amounted to $63,072,000 representing 13.1% of total revenue. No other country except for the United States accounted for over 10% of consolidated total revenue.
	Consulting Fee Revenue By Client Type:
		2014						2013					2012
	U.S. federal government	$	13,250			2.3	%	$	14,958		2.9	%	$	12,877	3.1	%
	U.S. state, regional and local governments		74,921			13.0			69,477		13.6			61,790	14.8
Foreign governments		219,605			38.1			181,066		35.3			96,242	23.0
Private sector		268,029			46.6			246,584		48.2			246,689	59.1
Total	$	575,805			100.0	%	$	512,085		100.0	%	$	417,598	100.0	%
Total Revenue By Client Type:
	2014						2013					2012
U.S. federal government	$	16,459			2.6	%	$	17,499		3.0	%	$	15,429	3.2	%
U.S. state, regional and local governments		104,866			16.4			100,157		17.4			82,898	17.2
Foreign governments		232,715			36.3			188,981		32.8			102,136	21.2
Private sector		286,241			44.7			270,044		46.8			280,318	58.4
Total	$	640,281			100.0	%	$	576,681		100.0	%	$	480,781	100.0	%
Total Assets by Geographic Region:
	December 31,
	2014			2013
U.S./Canada	$	113,481		$	104,729
Latin America		33,757			37,506
Europe		98,106			102,871
Middle East		130,969			108,654
Africa		68,834			79,043
Asia/Pacific		19,837			16,299
Total	$	464,984		$	449,102
U.S.	$	111,588		$	103,017
Non-U.S.		353,396			346,085
	$	464,984		$	449,102
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net by Geographic Location:
	December 31,
	2014			2013
U.S./Canada	$	3,358		$	3,837
Latin America		1,101			1,351
Europe		2,191			2,575
Middle East		3,428			2,167
Africa		901			182
Asia/Pacific		664			501
Total	$	11,643		$	10,613
U.S.	$	3,358		$	3,837
Non-U.S.		8,285			6,776
Total	$	11,643		$	10,613

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual

Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
	Schedule II
	Hill International, Inc. and Subsidiaries
	Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
	(Allowance for Uncollectible Receivables)
		Balance at		Additions		Other—		Uncollectible			Balance at
		Beginning of		Charged to		Allowance		Receivables			End of
		Fiscal Year		Earnings		Acquired in		Written off,			Fiscal Year
						Business		Net of
						Combinations		Recoveries
		(in thousands)
	Fiscal year ended December 31, 2014	$	9,530	$	5,323	$	161	$	(3,872	)	$	11,142
	Fiscal year ended December 31, 2013	$	10,268	$	3,928	$	90	$	(4,756	)	$	9,530
	Fiscal year ended December 31, 2012	$	9,181	$	3,209	$	—	$	(2,122	)	$	10,268

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
	(a)	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Hill International, Inc. and its majority owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates
	(b)	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The estimates affecting the consolidated financial statements that are particularly significant include revenue recognition, allocation of purchase price to acquired intangibles and goodwill, recoverability of long-lived assets, income taxes, allowance for doubtful accounts and commitments and contingencies.
Foreign Currency Translations and Transactions
	(c)	Foreign Currency Translations and Transactions
	Assets and liabilities of all foreign operations are translated at year-end rates of exchange, and the statements of operations are translated at the average rates of exchange for the year. Gains or losses resulting from translating foreign currency financial statements are accumulated in a separate component of stockholders' equity entitled accumulated other comprehensive loss until the entity is sold or substantially liquidated.
	Gains or losses from foreign currency transactions (transactions denominated in a currency other than the entity's local currency) are reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	(d)	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The fair value of financial instruments, which primarily consists of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and due to bank, approximates carrying value due to the short-term nature of the instruments. The carrying value of our various credit facilities approximates fair value as the interest rate is variable. The term loan approximates fair value as the Company recently entered into that agreement.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
	(e)	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and investments in money market funds and investment grade securities held with high quality financial institutions. The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with a remaining maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash
	(f)	Restricted Cash
	Restricted cash represents cash collateral required to be maintained in foreign bank accounts to serve as collateral for letters of credit, bonds or guarantees on several projects. The cash will remain restricted until the respective project has been completed, which typically is greater than one year.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
	(g)	Concentrations of Credit Risk
	Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash investments and accounts receivable.
	The Company maintains its cash accounts with high quality financial institutions. Although the Company currently believes that the financial institutions, with which it does business, will be able to fulfill their commitments to it, there is no assurance that those institutions will be able to continue to do so.
	The Company provides professional services, under contractual arrangements, to domestic and foreign governmental units, institutions and the private sector. To reduce credit risk, the Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its clients and does not require collateral beyond customary retainers.
	At December 31, 2014, the accounts receivable related to the work performed prior to March 2011 under contracts in Libya, amounted to approximately $49,659,000. See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for further information.
	The following tables show the number of the Company's clients which contributed 10% or more of revenue and accounts receivable, respectively:
			Years Ended
			December 31,
			2014			2013			2012
	Number of 10% clients			1			—			—
	Percentage of total revenue			10	%		N/A			N/A
			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Number of 10% clients			1			1
	Percentage of accounts receivable			20	%		25	%
	The following provides information with respect to total revenue from contracts with U.S. federal government agencies:
			Years Ended
			December 31,
			2014			2013			2012
	Percentage of total revenue			3	%		3	%		3	%
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	(h)	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	The allowance for doubtful accounts is an estimate prepared by management based on identification of the collectibility of specific accounts and the overall condition of the receivable portfolios. When evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts, the Company specifically analyzes trade receivables, including retainage receivable, historical bad debts, client credits, client concentrations, client credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in client payment terms. If the financial condition of clients were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. Likewise, should the Company determine that it would be able to realize more of its receivables in the future than previously estimated, an adjustment to the allowance would increase earnings in the period such determination was made. The allowance for doubtful accounts is reviewed on a quarterly basis and adjustments are recorded as deemed necessary.
Property and Equipment
	(i)	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization is provided over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
			Method		Estimated Useful Life
	Furniture and equipment		Straight-line		10 years
	Leasehold improvements		Straight-line		Shorter of estimated useful life or lease term
	Computer equipment and software		Straight-line		3 to 5 years
	Automobiles		Straight-line		5 years
	The Company capitalizes costs associated with internally developed and/or purchased software systems that have reached the application development stage and meet recoverability tests. Capitalized costs include external direct costs of materials and services utilized in developing or obtaining internal-use software, payroll and payroll-related expenses for employees who are directly associated with and devote time to the internal-use software project. Capitalization of such costs begins when the preliminary project stage is complete and ceases no later than the point at which the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended purpose. Costs for general and administrative, overhead, maintenance and training, as well as the cost of software that does not add functionality to existing systems, are expensed as incurred.
	Upon retirement or other disposition of these assets, the cost and related depreciation are removed from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss, if any, is reflected in results of operations. Expenditures for maintenance, repairs and renewals of minor items are charged to expense as incurred. Major renewals and improvements are capitalized.
Retainage Receivable
	(j)	Retainage Receivable
	Retainage receivable represents balances billed but not paid by clients pursuant to retainage provisions in the construction management contracts and will be due upon completion of specific tasks or the completion of the contract. The current portion of retainage receivable is included in accounts receivable and the long-term portion of retainage receivable is included in retainage receivable in the consolidated balance sheets.
Long-Lived Assets
	(k)	Long-Lived Assets
	Acquired intangible assets consist of contract rights, client related intangibles and trade names arising from the Company's acquisitions. Contract rights represent the fair value of contracts in progress and backlog of an acquired entity. For intangible assets purchased in a business combination, the estimated fair values of the assets are used to establish the cost bases. Valuation techniques consistent with the market approach, the income approach and the cost approach are used to measure fair value. These assets are amortized over their estimated lives which range from three to fifteen years.
	The Company reviews long-lived assets to be held-and-used for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. If the sum of the undiscounted expected future cash flows over the remaining useful life of a long-lived asset is less than its carrying amount, the asset is considered to be impaired. Impairment losses are measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. When fair values are not available, the Company estimates fair value using the expected future cash flow discounted at a rate commensurate with the risks associated with the recovery of the asset. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
Goodwill
	(l)	Goodwill
	Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price and other related costs over the value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of businesses acquired. Acquired intangible assets other than goodwill are amortized over their useful lives. For intangible assets purchased in a business combination, the estimated fair values of the assets are used to establish the cost bases. Valuation techniques consistent with the market approach and the income approach are used to measure fair value.
	Goodwill is tested annually for impairment in its fiscal third quarter. The Company has determined that it has two reporting units, the Project Management unit and the Construction Claims unit. The Company made that determination based on the similarity of the services provided, the methodologies in delivering our services and the similarity of the client base in each of these units. Goodwill is assessed for impairment using a two-step approach. In the first step of the impairment test, the Company compares the fair value of the reporting unit in which the goodwill resides to its carrying value. To the extent the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an indication exists that the reporting unit's goodwill may be impaired and the Company must perform a second more detailed assessment. The second step, if necessary, involves allocating the reporting unit's fair value to all of its recognized and unrecognized assets and liabilities in order to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill as of the assessment date. The implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill is then compared to the carrying amount of goodwill to quantify an impairment charge as of the assessment date.
	Application of the goodwill impairment test requires significant judgments including estimation of future cash flows, which is dependent on internal forecasts, estimation of the long-term rate of growth for the businesses, the useful life over which cash flows will occur, and determination of the Company's weighted average cost of capital. The Company's changes in estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value and/or conclusions on goodwill impairment for each reporting unit. The Company performed its annual impairment test effective July 1, 2014 and noted no impairment for either of its reporting units. In the future, the Company will continue to perform the annual test during its fiscal third quarter unless events or circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred before that time.
Investments
	(m)	Investments
	Hill International (Spain), S.A.
	The Company's subsidiary, Hill International (Spain), S.A. ("Hill Spain"), has the following cost-basis investments:
	•	Concessia, Cartera y Gestion de Infrastructuras, S.A. ("Concessia")—Hill Spain has made payments totaling $4,239,000 towards an initial 5.16% interest in this entity which invests in the equity of companies which finance, construct and operate various public and private infrastructure projects. The payments represented approximately 66% of Hill Spain's total required capital contribution. Hill Spain had accrued the remaining commitment of approximately $2,120,000 and had included that amount in the cost of the investment and in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2012. During 2013, the aggregate capitalization of Concessia was reduced from approximately €93,000,000 to approximately €71,000,000. At that time, Hill Spain chose to reduce its total investment to a 4.45% interest and to distribute the excess 0.71% interest to the other shareholders of Concessia. Hill Spain has reduced both the cost of the investment and other liabilities by $2,120,000.
	•	Nuevo Hospital de Burgos, S.A.—Hill Spain paid $3,761,000 for a 5.18% interest in this entity which, on completion of construction, will operate a new hospital in Burgos, Spain. On January 12, 2012 Hill Spain signed an agreement to sell its entire holding to its affiliate Concessia which is subject to the approval of the local authority, the owner of the facility and the financial institutions involved in the project. Hill Spain received a down payment of $3,149,000 and has accrued a receivable for $612,000. Although the final price is subject to certain conditions, the Company expects the investment to be fully recovered.
	Other
	The Company will, in the ordinary course, form joint ventures for specific projects. These joint ventures typically require limited or no investment and simply provide a pass-through for the Company's billings. Any distributions in excess of the Company's billings are accounted for as income when received.
Due to Bank
	(n)	Due to Bank
	Under the Company's cash-management system, certain cash accounts reflect credit balances to the extent checks were disbursed but not immediately funded at the bank. The Company manages this process daily and ensures all checks are funded when presented.
Deferred Revenue
	(o)	Deferred Revenue
	In certain instances the Company may collect advance payments from clients for future services. Upon receipt, the payments are reflected as deferred revenue in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. As the services are performed, the Company reduces the balance and recognizes revenue.
Deferred Rent
	(p)	Deferred Rent
	Rent expenses for operating leases which include scheduled rent increases is determined by expensing the total amount of rent due over the life of the operating lease on a straight-line basis. The difference between the rent paid under the terms of the lease and the rent expensed on a straight-line basis is recorded as a liability. The deferred rent at December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $2,968,000 and $3,043,000, respectively, and is included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.
Income Taxes
	(q)	Income Taxes
	The Company estimates income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which it operates. This process involves estimating its actual current tax exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The Company assesses the likelihood that the deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and to the extent it believes recovery is not likely, the Company establishes a valuation allowance. To the extent the Company establishes a valuation allowance in a period, it must include an expense within the tax provision in the consolidated statements of earnings. The Company has recorded a valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax asset to an amount that is more likely to be realized in future years. If the Company determines in the future that it is more likely that the deferred tax assets subject to the valuation allowance will be realized, then the previously provided valuation allowance will be adjusted.
	The Company recognizes a tax benefit in the financial statements for an uncertain tax position only if management's assessment is that the position is "more likely than not" (i.e., a likelihood greater than 50 percent) to be allowed by the tax jurisdiction based solely on the technical merits of the position. The term "tax position" refers to a position in a previously filed tax return or a position expected to be taken in a future tax return that is reflected in measuring current or deferred income tax assets and liabilities for interim or annual periods.
Revenue Recognition
	(r)	Revenue Recognition
	The Company generates revenue primarily from providing professional services to its clients. Revenue is generally recognized upon the performance of services. In providing these services, the Company may incur reimbursable expenses, which consist principally of amounts paid to subcontractors and other third parties and travel and other job related expenses that are contractually reimbursable from clients. The Company has determined that it will include reimbursable expenses in computing and reporting its total revenue as long as the Company remains responsible to the client for the fulfillment of the contract and for the overall acceptability of all services provided.
	The Company earns its revenue from time-and-materials, cost-plus and fixed-price contracts. If estimated total costs on any contract indicate a loss, the Company charges the entire estimated loss to operations in the period the loss becomes known. The cumulative effect of revisions to revenue, estimated costs to complete contracts, including penalties, incentive awards, change orders, claims, anticipated losses, and others are recorded in the accounting period in which the events indicating a loss are known and the loss can be reasonably estimated. Such revisions could occur at any time and the effects may be material.
	Time-and-Materials Contracts
	Under its time-and-materials contracts, the Company negotiates hourly billing rates and charges its clients based on the actual time that the Company spends on a project. In addition, clients reimburse the Company for its actual out-of-pocket costs of materials and other direct incidental expenditures that the Company incurs in connection with its performance under the contract. Its profit margins on time-and-materials contracts fluctuate based on actual labor and overhead costs that the Company directly charges or allocates to contracts compared with negotiated billing rates. Revenue on these contracts are recognized based on the actual number of hours the Company spends on the projects plus any actual out-of-pocket costs of materials and other direct incidental expenditures that the Company incurs on the projects. Its time-and-materials contracts generally include annual billing rate adjustment provisions.
	Cost-Plus Contracts
	The Company has two major types of cost-plus contracts:
	Cost-Plus Fixed Fee
	Under cost-plus fixed fee contracts, the Company charges its clients for its costs, including both direct and indirect costs, plus a fixed negotiated fee. In negotiating a cost-plus fixed fee contract, the Company estimates all recoverable direct and indirect costs and then adds a fixed profit component. The total estimated cost plus the negotiated fee represents the total contract value. The Company recognizes revenue based on the actual labor costs, based on hours of labor effort, plus non-labor costs the Company incurs, plus the portion of the fixed fee the Company has earned to date. The Company invoices for its services as revenue is recognized or in accordance with agreed-upon billing schedules. Aggregate revenue from cost-plus fixed fee contracts may vary based on the actual number of labor hours worked and other actual contract costs incurred. However, if actual labor hours and other contract costs exceed the original estimate agreed to by its client, the Company generally must obtain a change order, contract modification, or successfully prevail in a claim in order to receive additional revenue relating to the additional costs (see "Change Orders and Claims").
	Cost-Plus Fixed Rate
	Under its cost-plus fixed rate contracts, the Company charges clients for its costs plus negotiated rates based on its indirect costs. In negotiating a cost-plus fixed rate contract, the Company estimates all recoverable direct and indirect costs and then adds a profit component, which is a percentage of total recoverable costs to arrive at a total dollar estimate for the project. The Company recognizes revenue based on the actual total number of labor hours and other costs the Company expends at the cost plus the fixed rate the Company negotiated. Similar to cost-plus fixed fee contracts, aggregate revenue from cost-plus fixed rate contracts may vary and the Company generally must obtain a change order, contract modification, or successfully prevail in a claim in order to receive additional revenue relating to any additional costs that exceed the original contract estimate (see "Change Orders and Claims").
	Labor costs and subcontractor services are the principal components of its direct costs on cost-plus contracts, although some include materials and other direct costs. Some of these contracts include a provision that the total actual costs plus the fee will not exceed a guaranteed price negotiated with the client. Others include rate ceilings that limit the reimbursement for general and administrative costs, overhead costs and materials handling costs. The accounting for these contracts appropriately reflects such guaranteed price or rate ceilings.
	Firm Fixed-Price ("FFP") Contracts
	The Company's FFP contracts have historically accounted for most of its fixed-price contracts. Under FFP contracts, the Company's clients pay an agreed amount negotiated in advance for a specified scope of work. The Company recognizes revenue on FFP contracts using the percentage-of-completion method (recognizing revenue as costs are incurred). Profit margins the Company recognizes in all periods prior to completion of the project on any FFP contract depend on the accuracy of the Company's estimates of approximate revenue and expenses and will increase to the extent that its current estimates of aggregate actual costs are below amounts previously estimated. Conversely, if the Company's current estimated costs exceed prior estimates, its profit margins will decrease and the Company may realize a loss on a project. In order to increase aggregate revenue on the contract, the Company generally must obtain a change order, contract modification, or successfully prevail in a claim in order to receive payment for the additional costs (see "Change Orders and Claims").
	Change Orders and Claims
	Change orders are modifications of an original contract that effectively change the provisions of the contract without adding new provisions. Either the Company or its client may initiate change orders. They may include changes in specifications or design, manner of performance, facilities, equipment, materials, sites and period of completion of the work. Claims are amounts in excess of the agreed contract price that the Company seeks to collect from its clients or others for client-caused delays, errors in specifications and designs, contract terminations, change orders that are either in dispute or are unapproved as to both scope and price, or other causes of unanticipated additional contract costs.
	Change orders and claims occur when changes are experienced once contract performance is underway. Change orders are sometimes documented and terms of such change orders are agreed with the client before the work is performed. Sometimes circumstances require that work progresses before agreement is reached with the client. Costs related to change orders and claims are recognized when they are incurred. Change orders and claims are included in total estimated contract revenue when it is probable that the change order or claim will result in a bona fide addition to contract value that can be reliably estimated. No profit is recognized on claims until final settlement occurs; unapproved change orders are evaluated as claims. This can lead to a situation where costs are recognized in one period and revenue is recognized when client agreement is obtained or claims resolution occurs, which can be in subsequent periods.
	The Company has contracts with the U.S. government that contain provisions requiring compliance with the U.S. Federal Acquisition Regulations ("FAR"). These regulations are generally applicable to all of its federal government contracts and are partially or fully incorporated in many local and state agency contracts. They limit the recovery of certain specified indirect costs on contracts subject to the FAR. Cost-plus contracts covered by the FAR provide for upward or downward adjustments if actual recoverable costs differ from the estimate billed under forward pricing arrangements. Most of its federal government contracts are subject to termination at the convenience of the client. Contracts typically provide for reimbursement of costs incurred and payment of fees earned through the date of such termination.
	Federal government contracts which are subject to the FAR and some state and local governmental agencies require audits, which are performed for the most part by the Defense Contract Audit Agency ("DCAA"). The DCAA audits the Company's overhead rates, cost proposals, incurred government contract costs, and internal control systems. During the course of its audits, the DCAA may question incurred costs if it believes the Company has accounted for such costs in a manner inconsistent with the requirements of the FAR or Cost Accounting Standards and recommend that its U.S. government corporate administrative contracting officer disallow such costs. Historically, the Company has not experienced significant disallowed costs as a result of such audits. However, the Company can provide no assurance that the DCAA audits will not result in material disallowances of incurred costs in the future.
Share-Based Compensation
	(s)	Share-Based Compensation
	The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to measure the estimated fair value of options to purchase the Company's common stock. The compensation expense, less estimated forfeitures, is being recognized over the service period on a straight-line basis. The Company's policy is to use newly issued shares to satisfy the exercise of stock options.
Advertising Costs
	(t)	Advertising Costs
	Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and amounted to the following (in thousands):
	Years Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	$	599		$	396		$	325
Earnings per Share	(u)	Earnings per Share
	Basic earnings per common share has been computed using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per common share incorporates the incremental shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of stock options using the treasury stock method.
	Dilutive stock options increased average common shares outstanding by approximately 225,000 shares for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	Options to purchase 3,521,000 shares, 5,364,000 shares and 4,492,000 shares of the Company's common stock were not included in the calculation of common shares outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, because they were anti-dilutive.
New Accounting Pronouncements
	(v)	New Accounting Pronouncement
	On May 28, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the ASU is that an entity should recognize revenue for the transfer of goods or services equal to the amount that it expects to be entitled to receive for those goods or services. The ASU requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments. The ASU will be effective for interim and annual periods commencing after December 15, 2016 and allows for both retrospective and prospective methods of adoption. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is in the process of determining the method of adoption and assessing the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Schedule of number of the Company's clients which contributed 10% or more of revenue and accounts receivable
			Years Ended
			December 31,
			2014			2013			2012
	Number of 10% clients			1			—			—
	Percentage of total revenue			10	%		N/A			N/A
			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Number of 10% clients			1			1
	Percentage of accounts receivable			20	%		25	%
Schedule of information with respect to total revenue from contracts with U.S. federal government agencies
			Years Ended
			December 31,
			2014			2013			2012
	Percentage of total revenue			3	%		3	%		3	%
Schedule of estimated useful lives of the assets
			Method		Estimated Useful Life
	Furniture and equipment		Straight-line		10 years
	Leasehold improvements		Straight-line		Shorter of estimated useful life or lease term
	Computer equipment and software		Straight-line		3 to 5 years
	Automobiles		Straight-line		5 years
Schedule of advertising costs that are expensed as incurred	Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and amounted to the following (in thousands):
	Years Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	$	599		$	396		$	325

Accounts_Receivable_Tables

Accounts Receivable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts Receivable.
Components of accounts receivable
		December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Billed	$	159,959		$	206,469
	Retainage, current portion		12,700			10,215
	Unbilled		32,739			24,857
			205,398			241,541
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		(11,142	)		(9,530	)
	Total	$	194,256		$	232,011

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property and Equipment
Schedule of property and equipment
		December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Furniture and equipment	$	12,163		$	11,190
	Leasehold improvements		4,196			3,965
	Automobiles		1,696			1,576
	Computer equipment and software		24,088			22,656
			42,143			39,387
	Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(30,500	)		(28,774	)
	Property and equipment, net	$	11,643		$	10,613
Schedule of information with respect to depreciation expense
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Total depreciation expense	$	3,643		$	4,166		$	4,394
	Portion charged to cost of services	$	1,293		$	1,227		$	1,350
	Portion charged to selling, general and administrative expense	$	2,350		$	2,939		$	3,044

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Intangible Assets
Summary of acquired intangible assets
			December 31,
			2014						2013
			Gross			Accumulated			Gross		Accumulated
			Carrying			Amortization			Carrying		Amortization
			Amount						Amount
			(in thousands)
	Client relationships		$	36,412		$	20,758		$	37,501	$	18,238
	Acquired contract rights			11,387			9,717			11,874		8,541
	Trade names			3,023			1,065			3,266		898
	Total		$	50,822		$	31,540		$	52,641	$	27,677
	Intangible assets, net		$	19,282					$	24,964
Summary of amortization expense related to intangible assets
	Years Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(in thousands)
	$	6,180		$	6,590		$	8,036
Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for the next five years
	Years Ending December 31,		Estimated
			Amortization
			Expense
			(in thousands)
	2015		$	5,485
	2016			4,014
	2017			3,005
	2018			2,041
	2019			1,760

Goodwill_Tables

Goodwill (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill
Summary of changes in the company's carrying value of goodwill
		Project			Construction			Total
		Management			Claims
		(in thousands)
	Balance, December 31, 2012	$	57,231		$	26,776		$	84,007
	Additions		3,509			1,285			4,794
	Translation adjustments		(2,292	)		(656	)		(2,948	)
	Balance, December 31, 2013		58,448			27,405			85,853
	Additions		—			865			865
	Translation adjustments		(4,779	)		(1,502	)		(6,281	)
	Balance, December 31, 2014	$	53,669		$	26,768		$	80,437

Accounts_Payable_and_Accrued_E1

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
Components of accounts payable and accrued expenses
		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Accounts payable	$	32,701	$	25,349
	Accrued payroll and related expenses		39,845		35,732
	Accrued subcontractor fees		3,930		6,212
	Accrued agency fees		6,920		17,623
	Accrued legal and professional fees		968		1,239
	Other accrued expenses		7,704		6,115
		$	92,068	$	92,270

Notes_Payable_and_LongTerm_Deb1

Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt
Summary of outstanding debt obligations
		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	2014 Term Loan Facility	$	119,700	$	—
	2012 Term Loan Payable		—		84,474
	2009 Revolving credit loan payable under the Credit Agreement (the weighted average interest rate of all borrowings was 5.32% at December 31, 2013		—		39,000
	2014 Domestic Revolving Credit Facility		200
	2014 International Revolving Credit Facility		2,554
	Borrowings under revolving credit facilities with a consortium of banks in Spain		5,037		7,670
	Borrowings under unsecured credit facility with Ibercaja Bank in Spain		745		2,047
	Other notes payable		—		68
			128,236		133,259
	Less current maturities		6,361		18,974
	Notes payable and long-term debt, net of current maturities	$	121,875	$	114,285
Schedule of requirements for the Maximum Consolidated Net Leverage and actual ratio
	Period ending	Not to exceed		Actual
	December 31, 2014		3.50		3.10
	March 31, 2015		3.50
	June 30, 2015		3.50
	September 30, 2015		3.25
	December 31, 2015		3.25
	March 31, 2016		3.00
	June 30, 2016		3.00
	September 30, 2016		2.75
	December 31, 2016		2.75
	March 31, 2017		2.50
	June 30, 2017		2.50
	September 30, 2017		2.25
	December 31, 2017		2.25
	March 31, 2018		2.00
	June 30, 2018		2.00
	September 30, 2018		2.00
	December 31, 2018		2.00
	Thereafter		1.75
Schedule of maturities of long term debt	Scheduled maturities of long term debt are as follows (in thousands):
	Years Ending December 31,
	2015	$	6,361
	2016		4,575
	2017		1,200
	2018		1,200
	2019		1,200
	Thereafter		113,700
	Total debt	$	128,236

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa1

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Schedule of other non-cash activity
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013		2012
		(in thousands)
	Interest and related financing fees paid	$	22,753		$	13,372	$	16,952
	Income taxes paid	$	11,903		$	8,601	$	4,443
	Reduction of noncontrolling interest in connection with acquisitions of an additional interest in Engineering S.A.		(2,649	)		—		—
	Increase in additional paid in capital from issuance of shares of common stock related to purchase of CPI		618			—		—
	Increase in additional paid in capital from issuance of shares of common stock form cashless exercise of stock options		538			—		—
	Increase in intangible assets and goodwill in connection with acquisitions of Cadogans in 2014 and BCA and CPI in 2013	$	3,998		$	7,161	$	—
	Increase in deferred income taxes in connection with the acquisition of noncontrolling interests in Hill Spain	$	—		$	460	$	1,720
	Common stock issued for acquisitions of BCA and CPI	$	—		$	4,450	$	—

ShareBased_Compensation_Tables

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-Based Compensation
Schedule of assumptions used to estimate the fair value of options granted
			December 31,
			2014		2013		2012
	Average expected life (years)		4.59		4.29		3.66
	Forfeiture range		0 - 5.0%		0 - 5.0%		0%
	Weighted average forfeiture rate		0.90%		0.90%		0%
	Dividends		0%		0%		0%
	Volatility range		61.5 - 65.5%		67.8 - 73.5%		70.8 - 78.4%
	Weighted average volatility		62.90%		71.70%		77.50%
	Range of risk-free interest rates		0.86 - 1.74%		0.50 - 1.36%		0.36 - 0.86%
	Weighted average risk-free interest rate		1.67%		0.77%		0.80%
	Weighted average fair value at grant date		$2.28		$1.95		$2.52
Summary of the Company's stock option activity and related information
	(in thousands, except exercise price and remaining life data)		Options			Weighted			Weighted			Aggregate
						Average			Average			Intrinsic
						Exercise			Remaining			Value
						Price			Contractual
									Life
	Outstanding, December 31, 2011			3,821			5.29
	Granted			994			5.17
	Exercised			(10	)		2.45
	Expired			(117	)		7.48
	Forfeited			(44	)		4.94
	Outstanding, December 31, 2012			4,644			5.22
	Granted			2,076			3.8
	Exercised			(8	)		2.45
	Expired			(101	)		12.42
	Forfeited			(37	)		4.02
	Outstanding, December 31, 2013			6,574		$	4.67
	Granted			1,849			4.57
	Exercised			(524	)		3
	Expired			(496	)		7.66
	Forfeited			(44	)		4.37
	Outstanding, December 31, 2014			7,359			4.57			3.19		$	—
	Exercisable, December 31, 2014			3,302		$	5.23			1.72		$	—
Schedule of weighted average characteristics of outstanding stock options for various price ranges
				Options Outstanding									Options Exercisable
	Exercise			Number			Weighted			Weighted			Number		Weighted
	Prices			Outstanding at			Average			Average			Exercisable at		Average
				December 31,			Remaining			Exercise			December 31,		Exercise
				2014			Contractual			Price			2014		Price
							Life
	$	2.45			559,489			1.17		$	2.45			559,489	$	2.45
		2.85			90,908			2.45			2.85			90,908		2.85
		2.89			116,280			3.43			2.89			116,280		2.89
		3.12			10,000			5.60			3.12			2,000		3.12
		3.67			888,000			5.06			3.67			172,000		3.67
		3.89			3,000			4.39			3.89			3,000		3.89
		3.95			500,000			6.01			3.95			—		—
		4.04			1,000,000			3.06			4.04			250,000		4.04
		4.19			25,000			1.13			4.19			25,000		4.19
		4.25			84,868			0.42			4.25			84,868		4.25
		4.35			500,000			4.01			4.35			—		—
		4.37			10,000			1.34			4.37			10,000		4.37
		4.92			5,000			1.59			4.92			5,000		4.92
		4.95			775,000			6.19			4.95			—		—
		5.31			20,000			2.07			5.31			16,000		5.31
		5.47			880,200			2.18			5.47			440,100		5.47
		5.73			8,000			3.84			5.73			4,000		5.73
		5.83			265,000			2.25			5.83			212,000		5.83
		6.31			261,725			2.95			6.31			181,725		6.31
		6.32			10,000			0.84			6.32			10,000		6.32
		6.41			320,000			0.24			6.41			320,000		6.41
		6.50			3,000			0.12			6.50			3,000		6.50
		6.61			63,870			4.45			6.61			63,870		6.61
		7.32			907,336			1.07			7.32			680,502		7.32
		11.10			20,000			0.08			11.10			20,000		11.10
		12.82			22,500			0.12			12.82			22,500		12.82
		16.79			10,000			0.59			16.79			10,000		16.79
					7,359,176			3.19		$	4.57			3,302,242	$	5.23
Summary of the Company's non-vested stock option activity and related information
	(in thousands, except weighted average grant date fair value)		Options			Average
						Grant Date
						Fair Value
						Per Share
	Non-vested options at December 31, 2011			2,414			2.23
	Granted			994			2.52
	Vested			(881	)		2.12
	Forfeited			(44	)		2.15
	Non-vested options at December 31, 2012			2,483			2.39
	Granted			2,076			1.95
	Vested			(981	)		2.14
	Forfeited			(37	)		2.17
	Non-vested options at December 31, 2013			3,541			2.2
	Granted			1,849			2.28
	Vested			(1,289	)		2.19
	Forfeited			(44	)		2.33
	Non-vested options at December 31, 2014			4,057		$	2.24
Non-Employee Director Stock Grant Plan
Share-Based Compensation
Schedule of information with respect to the plan's activity	Information with respect to the plan's activity follows (in thousands):
			Years Ended
			December 31,
			2014			2013			2012
	Shares issued			26			52			52
	Compensation expense		$	175		$	150		$	150
2008 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Share-Based Compensation
Schedule of information with respect to the plan's activity	Information with respect to the plan's activity follows (in thousands):
			Years Ended
			December 31,
			2014			2013			2012
	Shares purchased			55			51			37
	Aggregate purchase price		$	197		$	162		$	105
	Compensation expense		$	35		$	24		$	19
2007 Restricted Stock Grant Plan
Share-Based Compensation
Schedule of information with respect to the plan's activity	Information with respect to the plan follows (in thousands):
			Years Ended
			December 31,
			2014			2013			2012
	Shares issued (canceled)			(2	)		—			61
	Compensation expense		$	(8	)	$	—		$	180

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes
Schedule of components of earnings (loss) before income taxes by United States and foreign jurisdictions
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	United States	$	(39,635	)	$	(26,460	)	$	(19,172	)
	Foreign jurisdictions		38,430			36,054			6,269
		$	(1,205	)	$	9,594		$	(12,903	)
Schedule of income tax (benefit) expense
		Current			Deferred			Total
		(in thousands)
	Year ended December 31, 2014:
	U.S. federal	$	—		$	—		$	—
	State and local		—			—			—
	Foreign jurisdictions		10,036			(1,625	)		8,411
		$	10,036		$	(1,625	)	$	8,411
	Year ended December 31, 2013:
	U.S. federal	$	—		$	—		$	—
	State and local		—			—			—
	Foreign jurisdictions		7,245			(1,202	)		6,043
		$	7,245		$	(1,202	)	$	6,043
	Year ended December 31, 2012:
	U.S. federal	$	285		$	10,586		$	10,871
	State and local		(12	)		(1,684	)		(1,696	)
	Foreign jurisdictions		7,913			(3,646	)		4,267
		$	8,186		$	5,256		$	13,442
Schedule of the differences between income taxes based on the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate and the Company's effective income tax rate
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Statutory federal income tax	$	(410	)	$	3,262		$	(4,387	)
	Foreign tax benefit for earnings taxed at lower rates		(2,285	)		(3,907	)		1,837
	Change in the valuation allowance		15,409			10,783			18,258
	Net liability (reductions) additions for uncertain tax positions		(2,379	)		(2,314	)		(350	)
	Excess compensation		646			204			170
	State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit		(2,076	)		(1,476	)		(1,065	)
	Stock options		224			230			(356	)
	Deferred tax adjustment		—			—			(497	)
	Purchase accounting reversal		(490	)		—			—
	Reversal of interest allocations to foreign entities		—			(1,014	)		—
	Other		(228	)		275			(168	)
	Total	$	8,411		$	6,043		$	13,442
Schedule of tax effect of temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities
		December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Deferred tax assets:
	Net operating loss carry forward—U.S. operations	$	40,065		$	25,185
	Amortization of intangibles		7,329			6,657
	Net operating loss carry forward—foreign operations		8,558			6,389
	Compensated absences		2,458			2,574
	Foreign income taxes on currency translation		1,007			—
	Share based compensation		3,026			2,087
	Allowance for uncollectible accounts		1,003			933
	Bonus accrual		1,087			1,373
	Deferred income		485			19
	Foreign tax credit		982			956
	Other		875			671
	Total gross deferred tax assets		66,875			46,844
	Valuation allowances		(49,254	)		(31,257	)
	Net deferred tax assets		17,621			15,587
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Intangible assets		(13,205	)		(14,013	)
	Depreciation		(1,297	)		(1,512	)
	Prepaid expenses		(1,159	)		(632	)
	Change in tax method		(279	)		(369	)
	Foreign income taxes on currency translations		—			(575	)
	Total gross deferred tax liabilities		(15,940	)		(17,101	)
	Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	$	1,681		$	(1,514	)
	Amounts included in the consolidated balance sheets:
	Current deferred tax assets	$	1,188		$	1,705
	Non-current deferred tax assets		15,426			13,882
	Current deferred tax liabilities		(279	)		(369	)
	Non-current deferred tax liabilities		(14,654	)		(16,732	)
		$	1,681		$	(1,514	)
Schedule of changes to the Company's uncertain tax positions
		Years Ended
		December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Balance, beginning of year	$	2,933		$	5,033
	Reductions based on tax positions related to prior years		(2,683	)		(2,473	)
	Additions based on tax positions related to prior years		725			373
	Balance, end of year	$	975		$	2,933

Operating_Leases_Tables

Operating Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Operating Leases
Schedule of approximate future minimum payments under leases	At December 31, 2014, approximate future minimum payments under these leases that have remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year are as follows (in thousands):
	Years Ending December 31,
	2015		12,422
	2016		9,143
	2017		7,665
	2018		6,097
	2019		4,897
	Thereafter		15,270
	Total	$	55,494

Business_Segment_Information_T

Business Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Segment Information
Consulting Fee Revenue and Total Revenue	The following tables reflect the required disclosures for the Company's reportable segments (in thousands):
	Consulting Fee Revenue ("CFR")
		2014						2013					2012
	Project Management	$	427,515			74.2	%	$	392,602		76.7	%	$	312,232	74.8	%
	Construction Claims		148,290			25.8			119,483		23.3			105,366	25.2
	Total	$	575,805			100.0	%	$	512,085		100.0	%	$	417,598	100.0	%
	Total Revenue:
		2014						2013					2012
	Project Management	$	486,442			76.0	%	$	452,517		78.5	%	$	372,281	77.4	%
	Construction Claims		153,839			24.0			124,164		21.5			108,500	22.6
	Total	$	640,281			100.0	%	$	576,681		100.0	%	$	480,781	100.0	%
Operating Profit	The following tables reflect the required disclosures for the Company's reportable segments (in thousands):
	Operating Profit:
		2014			2013			2012
	Project Management	$	48,516		$	48,682		$	23,273
	Construction Claims		10,996			12,171			8,071
	Corporate		(30,232	)		(28,395	)		(26,097	)
	Total	$	29,280		$	32,458		$	5,247
Depreciation and Amortization Expense	The following tables reflect the required disclosures for the Company's reportable segments (in thousands):
	Depreciation and Amortization Expense:
		2014			2013			2012
	Project Management	$	6,888		$	7,677		$	9,172
	Construction Claims		2,719			2,852			2,998
	Subtotal segments		9,607			10,529			12,170
	Corporate		216			227			260
	Total	$	9,823		$	10,756		$	12,430
Consulting Fee Revenue and Total Revenue by Geographic Region	The following tables reflect the required disclosures for the Company's reportable segments (in thousands):
	Consulting Fee Revenue by Geographic Region:
		2014						2013					2012
	U.S./Canada	$	125,691			21.8	%	$	121,291		23.7	%	$	117,593	28.2	%
	Latin America		40,844			7.1			49,188		9.6			51,820	12.4
	Europe		79,009			13.7			75,398		14.7			84,267	20.2
	Middle East		270,924			47.1			219,315		42.8			134,037	32.1
	Africa		23,849			4.1			22,744		4.4			13,591	3.3
	Asia/Pacific		35,488			6.2			24,149		4.8			16,290	3.8
	Total	$	575,805			100.0	%	$	512,085		100.0	%	$	417,598	100.0	%
	U.S.	$	122,096			21.2	%	$	117,740		23.0	%	$	114,368	27.4	%
	Non-U.S.		453,709			78.8			394,345		77.0			303,230	72.6
	Total	$	575,805			100.0	%	$	512,085		100.0	%	$	417,598	100.0	%
	Total Revenue by Geographic Region:
		2014						2013					2012
	U.S./Canada	$	170,550			26.6	%	$	171,012		29.7	%	$	167,682	34.9	%
	Latin America		41,106			6.4			49,546		8.6			52,046	10.8
	Europe		84,335			13.2			80,062		13.9			90,624	18.8
	Middle East		280,502			43.8			224,716		39.0			138,731	28.9
	Africa		27,474			4.3			26,186		4.5			15,303	3.2
	Asia/Pacific		36,314			5.7			25,159		4.3			16,395	3.4
	Total	$	640,281			100.0	%	$	576,681		100.0	%	$	480,781	100.0	%
	U.S.	$	166,893			26.1	%	$	167,314		29.0	%	$	164,347	34.2	%
	Non-U.S.		473,388			73.9			409,367		71.0			316,434	65.8
	Total	$	640,281			100.0	%	$	576,681		100.0	%	$	480,781	100.0	%
Consulting Fee Revenue and Total Revenue By Client Type	The following tables reflect the required disclosures for the Company's reportable segments (in thousands):
	Consulting Fee Revenue By Client Type:
		2014						2013					2012
	U.S. federal government	$	13,250			2.3	%	$	14,958		2.9	%	$	12,877	3.1	%
	U.S. state, regional and local governments		74,921			13.0			69,477		13.6			61,790	14.8
	Foreign governments		219,605			38.1			181,066		35.3			96,242	23.0
	Private sector		268,029			46.6			246,584		48.2			246,689	59.1
	Total	$	575,805			100.0	%	$	512,085		100.0	%	$	417,598	100.0	%
	Total Revenue By Client Type:
		2014						2013					2012
	U.S. federal government	$	16,459			2.6	%	$	17,499		3.0	%	$	15,429	3.2	%
	U.S. state, regional and local governments		104,866			16.4			100,157		17.4			82,898	17.2
	Foreign governments		232,715			36.3			188,981		32.8			102,136	21.2
	Private sector		286,241			44.7			270,044		46.8			280,318	58.4
	Total	$	640,281			100.0	%	$	576,681		100.0	%	$	480,781	100.0	%
Total Assets By Geographic Region	The following tables reflect the required disclosures for the Company's reportable segments (in thousands):
	Total Assets by Geographic Region:
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	U.S./Canada	$	113,481		$	104,729
	Latin America		33,757			37,506
	Europe		98,106			102,871
	Middle East		130,969			108,654
	Africa		68,834			79,043
	Asia/Pacific		19,837			16,299
	Total	$	464,984		$	449,102
	U.S.	$	111,588		$	103,017
	Non-U.S.		353,396			346,085
		$	464,984		$	449,102
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net by Geographic Location	The following tables reflect the required disclosures for the Company's reportable segments (in thousands):
	Property, Plant and Equipment, Net by Geographic Location:
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	U.S./Canada	$	3,358		$	3,837
	Latin America		1,101			1,351
	Europe		2,191			2,575
	Middle East		3,428			2,167
	Africa		901			182
	Asia/Pacific		664			501
	Total	$	11,643		$	10,613
	U.S.	$	3,358		$	3,837
	Non-U.S.		8,285			6,776
	Total	$	11,643		$	10,613

The_Company_Details

The Company (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
	item
The Company
Number of key operating divisions	2

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Restricted Cash
Minimum completion period of the project	1 year
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Accounts receivable related to the work performed under contracts in Libya	49,659,000
Accounts receivable | Concentrations of credit risk
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Number of 10% clients	1	1
Percentage of concentration risk	20.00%	25.00%
Total revenue | Customer concentration
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Number of 10% clients	1
Percentage of concentration risk	10.00%
Total revenue | Contracts with U.S. federal government agencies
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Percentage of concentration risk	3.00%	3.00%	3.00%

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Furniture and equipment
Property and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life	10 years
Computer equipment and software | Minimum
Property and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life	3 years
Computer equipment and software | Maximum
Property and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life	5 years
Automobiles
Property and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life	5 years

Summary_of_Significant_Account5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
	item
Goodwill
Number of reporting units	2
Goodwill impairment	$0
Minimum
Intangible Assets
Estimated lives of intangible assets	3 years
Maximum
Intangible Assets
Estimated lives of intangible assets	15 years

Summary_of_Significant_Account6

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 4)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
	Concessia	Concessia	Concessia	Nuevo Hospital de Burgos, S.A.	Nuevo Hospital de Burgos, S.A.
	EUR (€)	EUR (€)	Hill Spain	Hill Spain	Hill Spain
			USD ($)	USD ($)	Concessia
					USD ($)
Investments
Capital contribution paid			$4,239,000	$3,761,000
Cost method investment ownership percentage acquired			5.16%	5.18%
Amount of down payment received					3,149,000
Accrued receivable					612,000
Percentage of required capital contribution paid			66.00%
Accrual of remaining commitment amount			2,120,000
Aggregate capitalization	71,000,000	93,000,000
Cost method investment, reduced ownership percentage			4.45%
Ownership interest distributed to the other shareholders (as a percent)			0.71%
Decrease in cost method investment			2,120,000
Reduction in the cost of the investment and other liabilities			$2,120,000

Summary_of_Significant_Account7

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 5) (Joint ventures for specific projects, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
Joint ventures for specific projects
Equity in Earnings of Affiliates
Investment in the joint venture	$0

Summary_of_Significant_Account8

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 6) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	item
Deferred Rent
Deferred rent included in other liabilities	$2,968,000	$3,043,000
Revenue Recognition
Number of major types of cost-plus contracts	2
Profit recognized on claims until final settlement	0
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs	$599,000	$396,000	$325,000
Earnings per Share
Dilutive stock options (in shares)		225,000
Anti-dilutive securities that were not included in the calculation of common shares outstanding	3,521,000	5,364,000	4,492,000

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details)

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2012

Oct. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Dec. 23, 2014

Mar. 07, 2014

Dec. 23, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Apr. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 04, 2013

Dec. 04, 2013

Oct. 15, 2015

Oct. 15, 2015

Dec. 23, 2014

Dec. 23, 2014

Nov. 25, 2014

Nov. 25, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

30-May-13

Dec. 31, 2014

Jan. 03, 2013

Jan. 03, 2013

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Cadogans

Cadogans

CPI

CPI

CPI

CPI

CPI

CPI

CPI

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Hill International (UK) Ltd

Hill International (UK) Ltd

Hill International (UK) Ltd

Hill International (UK) Ltd

Hill International (UK) Ltd

Hill International (UK) Ltd

Hill International (UK) Ltd

Hill International (UK) Ltd

Hill International (UK) Ltd

Hill International (UK) Ltd

Hill International (UK) Ltd

Hill International (UK) Ltd

Hill International (UK) Ltd

Hill International (UK) Ltd

Hill International (UK) Ltd

Hill International (UK) Ltd

Hill International (UK) Ltd

Hill International (UK) Ltd

Hill International (UK) Ltd

Hill International (UK) Ltd

Hill International N.V. (formerly Hill International S.A.)

Hill International N.V. (formerly Hill International S.A.)

Hill International N.V. (formerly Hill International S.A.)

Hill International N.V. (formerly Hill International S.A.)

Hill International N.V. (formerly Hill International S.A.)

GBP (£)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Subsequent event

USD ($)

EUR (€)

Cadogans

Cadogans

Cadogans

Cadogans

Cadogans

Cadogans

Cadogans

Cadogans

Cadogans

Cadogans

Cadogans

Cadogans

Cadogans

Cadogans

Cadogans

Cadogans

Cadogans

Cadogans

Cadogans

Cadogans

BCA

BCA

BCA

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

item

USD ($)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

Other Current Liabilities

Other Liabilities

Client relationship

Client relationship

Trade names

Trade names

Acquired contract rights

Acquired contract rights

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

item

item

GBP (£)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

item

Acquisitions

Acquisition-related costs

$455,000

$263,000

$84,000

Acquisitions

Number of professionals

30

27

27

34

Value of shares issued

618,000

2,450,000

530,000

Shares issued in satisfaction of purchase price installment

171,308

678,670

148,460

331,444

379,655

Share price (in dollars per share)

$5.42

$3.61

Value in excess of CPI's common equity

600,000

Common stock issued for acquisitions of BCA and CPI

4,450,000

350,000

2,000,000

Period over which average closing price of common stock is used to compute shares issuable

10 days

Increase in share price (as a percent)

50.00%

Percentage of the operating profit of CPI in excess of $1,000,000 for the first 12-month period considered for determining the additional shares to be issued to the sellers

50.00%

Period for which operating profit is considered for determining the additional shares to be issued to the sellers

12 months

Percentage of the net revenue backlog in excess of $10,000,000 on the date 60 days after closing date considered for determining the additional shares to be issued to the sellers

5.00%

Threshold amount of net revenue backlog on the date 60 days after closing date considered for determining the additional shares to be issued to the sellers

10,000,000

Period for which net revenue backlog is considered for determining the additional shares to be issued to the sellers

60 days

Total consideration for acquisition

4,350,000

2,719,000

Cash payment

2,793,000

2,031,000

830,000

519,000

640,000

400,000

-960,000

600,000

1,600,000

1,000,000

9,477,000

7,166,000

Acquisition consideration payable

519,000

1,150,000

719,000

519,000

200,000

Contingent consideration arrangement, evaluation period

2 years

2 years

2 years

Contingent consideration, minimum

0

0

Contingent consideration, maximum

200,000

500,000

2,697,000

200,000

Increase (decrease) in the contingent consideration

215,000

-1,225,000

-893,000

Number Of Selling Shareholders

2

2

Number Of Annual Installments

5

5

Maximum annual earn out installment

160,000

100,000

EBITDA threshold for the five succeeding years for measuring financial performance

633,000

396,000

Intangible assets acquired

2,165,000

1,353,000

1,890,000

1,181,000

131,000

82,000

144,000

90,000

Goodwill.

85,853,000

80,437,000

84,007,000

865,000

541,000

Weighted average life of acquired intangible assets

8 years 10 months 24 days

8 years 10 months 24 days

10 years

10 years

2 years

2 years

6 months

6 months

Threshold amount of operating profit for the first 12-month period considered for determining the additional shares to be issued to the sellers

1,000,000

Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High

200,000

500,000

2,697,000

200,000

Payment of purchase price on closing date

1,072,400

Purchase price payable on second tranche

927,600

Estimated Third Tranche Payment

$902,000

Period preceding the seventh trading day prior to closing date of the transaction over which average closing price per share of the company's stock is used

30 days

Period over which average closing price of our common stock used to compute share issuable on second tranche payment

30 days

Period over which average closing price of our common stock used to compute share issuable on third tranche payment

30 days

Period over which average net profit before taxes used to compute third tranche payment

2 years

Third tranche payment on basis of excess of average net profit before taxes over net profit before taxes, multiplier

2.205

Acquisitions_Details_2

Acquisitions (Details 2)

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jul. 23, 2013

Jul. 23, 2013

Apr. 30, 2012

Apr. 30, 2012

Feb. 28, 2011

Feb. 28, 2011

Feb. 28, 2011

Apr. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Feb. 28, 2011

Feb. 28, 2011

Feb. 28, 2011

Feb. 28, 2011

Feb. 28, 2011

Feb. 28, 2011

Feb. 28, 2011

Feb. 28, 2011

Feb. 28, 2011

Feb. 28, 2011

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Engineering S.A.

Engineering S.A.

Engineering S.A.

Engineering S.A.

Engineering S.A.

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Payments due for the Engineering S. A. acquisition

Payments due for the Engineering S. A. acquisition

Payments due for the Engineering S. A. acquisition

Payments due for the Engineering S. A. acquisition

Payments due for the Engineering S. A. acquisition

Engineering S.A.

Engineering S.A.

Engineering S.A.

Engineering S.A.

Engineering S.A.

Engineering S.A.

Engineering S.A.

Engineering S.A.

Engineering S.A.

Engineering S.A.

Engineering S.A.

Engineering S.A.

Engineering S.A.

Engineering S.A.

Engineering S.A.

USD ($)

BRL

USD ($)

BRL

USD ($)

BRL

item

USD ($)

BRL

USD ($)

BRL

Client relationship

Client relationship

Acquired contract rights

Acquired contract rights

Trade names

Trade names

Maximum

Maximum

item

USD ($)

BRL

USD ($)

BRL

USD ($)

BRL

USD ($)

BRL

Acquisitions

Ownership interest acquired (as a percent)

60.00%

60.00%

Number of professionals employed

400

400

Total consideration for acquisition

$25,336,000

42,000,000

Cash payment

13,392,000

22,200,000

Minimum additional payments due on April 30, 2012

4,464,000

7,400,000

Minimum additional payments due on April 30, 2013

4,464,000

7,400,000

Potential additional payment

3,016,000

5,000,000

Intangible assets acquired

14,783,000

24,540,000

8,399,000

13,942,000

5,051,000

8,385,000

1,333,000

2,213,000

Goodwill.

80,437,000

85,853,000

84,007,000

27,987,000

46,339,000

Weighted average life of acquired intangible assets

7 years 8 months 12 days

7 years 8 months 12 days

10 years

10 years

2 years

2 years

15 years

15 years

Multiple of earnings for determining purchase price of minority shares

7

7

Call option Purchase price premium if exercised by Gerens Hill (as a percent)

5.00%

5.00%

Call/put option exercise period after audited financial statements

3 months

3 months

Number of minority shareholders who exercised Put Option

2

Value of shares purchased on exercise of put options

3,556,000

7,838,000

Minority shareholders ownership percentage

72.00%

Reduction in noncontrolling interests

3,556,000

1,094,000

3,594,000

2,649,000

5,839,000

Reduction in additional paid in capital through equity transaction

907,000

1,999,000

Potential payments considered for discounting

10,376,000

17,200,000

Weighted average indebtedness discount rate (as a percent)

4.72%

Payoff and termination of term loan

$100,000,000

$5,095,000

11,372,000

$3,508,000

6,624,000

Acquisitions_Details_3

Acquisitions (Details 3) (Hill Spain)	0 Months Ended					0 Months Ended		15 Months Ended
	Dec. 04, 2013	Dec. 04, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 03, 2013	Jan. 03, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 15, 2008
	USD ($)	EUR (€)				Hill International N.V. (formerly Hill International S.A.)	Hill International N.V. (formerly Hill International S.A.)	Hill International N.V. (formerly Hill International S.A.)	Hill International N.V. (formerly Hill International S.A.)	Hill International N.V. (formerly Hill International S.A.)
						USD ($)	EUR (€)	USD ($)	EUR (€)
								item	item
Acquisitions
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Including Subsequent Acquisition, Percentage			100.00%							60.00%
Price of shares to be purchased by the entity from minority shareholders under put option								$23,808,000	€ 18,000,000
General Price Index (as a percent)								3.50%	3.50%
Number of times of earnings before interest and income taxes considered for determining purchase price								10	10
Number of minority shareholders exercising put options								10	10
Minority shareholders ownership percentage				6.80%	23.90%
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	2,793,000	2,031,000				9,477,000	7,166,000
Interest expense charged owing to the exercise of put options	56,000	42,000				152,000	115,000
Decrease in noncontrolling interests due to exercise of put options	1,094,000	828,000						3,594,000	2,717,000
Increase (decrease) in goodwill due to exercise of put options	460,000	348,000						1,720,000	1,300,000
Increase (decrease) in intangible assets due to exercise of put options	$1,534,000	€ 1,161,000						$5,580,000	€ 4,334,000

Accounts_Receivable_Details

Accounts Receivable (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Components of accounts receivable
Billed	$159,959	$206,469
Retainage, current portion	12,700	10,215
Unbilled	32,739	24,857
Accounts receivable, gross	205,398	241,541
Allowance for doubtful accounts	-11,142	-9,530
Total	$194,256	$232,011

Accounts_Receivable_Details_2

Accounts Receivable (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounts Receivable
Billed receivables	$159,959,000	$206,469,000
Bad debt expense included in selling, general and administrative expenses	5,323,000	3,928,000	3,209,000
Accounts receivable - Libya	49,659,000
Accounts receivable	194,256,000	232,011,000
Other current liabilities	9,996,000	12,255,000
Other liabilities	13,093,000	6,261,000
Various branches of the U.S. government
Accounts Receivable
Billed receivables	1,562,000	2,030,000
Foreign governments
Accounts Receivable
Billed receivables	100,773,000	99,643,000
Libya
Accounts Receivable
Cash proceeds from collection of accounts receivable		9,900,000
Amount of letters of credit endorsed by ODAC		14,000,000
Accounts receivable - Libya	49,659,000
Accounts receivable	-49,659,000
Other current liabilities	-9,280,000
Other liabilities	$9,280,000

Property_and_Equipment_Details

Property and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment, gross	$42,143	$39,387
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	-30,500	-28,774
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total	11,643	10,613
Total depreciation expense	3,643	4,166	4,394
Cost of services
Property and Equipment
Total depreciation expense	1,293	1,227	1,350
Selling, general and administrative expense
Property and Equipment
Total depreciation expense	2,350	2,939	3,044
Furniture and equipment
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment, gross	12,163	11,190
Leasehold improvements
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment, gross	4,196	3,965
Automobiles
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment, gross	1,696	1,576
Computer equipment and software
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment, gross	$24,088	$22,656

Intangible_Assets_Details

Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Summary of acquired intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	$50,822	$52,641
Accumulated Amortization	31,540	27,677
Intangible assets, net	19,282	24,964
Client relationship
Summary of acquired intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	36,412	37,501
Accumulated Amortization	20,758	18,238
Acquired contract rights
Summary of acquired intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	11,387	11,874
Accumulated Amortization	9,717	8,541
Trade names
Summary of acquired intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	3,023	3,266
Accumulated Amortization	$1,065	$898

Intangible_Assets_Details_2

Intangible Assets (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Intangible Assets
Amortization expense related to intangible assets	$6,180	$6,590	$8,036
Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for the next five years
2015	5,485
2016	4,014
2017	3,005
2018	2,041
2019	$1,760

Goodwill_Details

Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of changes in carrying value of goodwill during 2013
Balance at the beginning of the period	$85,853,000	$84,007,000
Additions	865,000	4,794,000
Translation adjustments	-6,281,000	-2,948,000
Balance at the end of the period	80,437,000	85,853,000
Hill Spain
Summary of changes in carrying value of goodwill during 2013
Additions		460,000
Cadogans
Summary of changes in carrying value of goodwill during 2013
Additions	865,000
BCA
Summary of changes in carrying value of goodwill during 2013
Additions		1,285,000
CPI
Summary of changes in carrying value of goodwill during 2013
Additions		3,049,000
Project Management
Summary of changes in carrying value of goodwill during 2013
Balance at the beginning of the period	58,448,000	57,231,000
Additions		3,509,000
Translation adjustments	-4,779,000	-2,292,000
Balance at the end of the period	53,669,000	58,448,000
Construction Claims
Summary of changes in carrying value of goodwill during 2013
Balance at the beginning of the period	27,405,000	26,776,000
Additions	865,000	1,285,000
Translation adjustments	-1,502,000	-656,000
Balance at the end of the period	$26,768,000	$27,405,000

Accounts_Payable_and_Accrued_E2

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Components of accounts payable and accrued expenses
Accounts payable	$32,701,000	$25,349,000
Accrued payroll and related expenses	39,845,000	35,732,000
Accrued subcontractor fees	3,930,000	6,212,000
Accrued agency fees	6,920,000	17,623,000
Accrued legal and professional fees	968,000	1,239,000
Other accrued expenses	7,704,000	6,115,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses, net	92,068,000	92,270,000
Other liabilities	13,093,000	6,261,000
Libya
Components of accounts payable and accrued expenses
Other liabilities	$9,280,000

Notes_Payable_and_LongTerm_Deb2

Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of outstanding debt obligations
Long-term Debt, Total	$128,236,000	$133,259,000
Less current maturities	6,361,000	18,974,000
Notes payable and long-term debt, net of current maturities	121,875,000	114,285,000
Term loan
Summary of outstanding debt obligations
Long-term Debt, Total	119,700,000	84,474,000
Revolving credit facility | Bank of America
Summary of outstanding debt obligations
Long-term Debt, Total		39,000,000
Weighted average interest rate of borrowings (as a percent)		5.32%
Revolving credit facility | Domestic Revolving Credit Facility
Summary of outstanding debt obligations
Long-term Debt, Total	200,000
Revolving credit facility | International Revolving Credit Facility
Summary of outstanding debt obligations
Long-term Debt, Total	2,554,000
Revolving credit facility | Consortium of banks in Spain
Summary of outstanding debt obligations
Long-term Debt, Total	5,037,000	7,670,000
Revolving credit facility | Ibercaja Bank In Spain
Summary of outstanding debt obligations
Long-term Debt, Total	745,000	2,047,000
Other notes payable
Summary of outstanding debt obligations
Long-term Debt, Total		$68,000

Notes_Payable_and_LongTerm_Deb3

Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt (Details 2 ) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 26, 2014	Jun. 12, 2014
Other Foreign Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		$69,270,000
US Dollar Revolver | LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis of effective interest rate (as a percent)	3.75%
US Dollar Revolver | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis of effective interest rate (as a percent)	2.75%
International Revolver | EURIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis of effective interest rate (as a percent)		4.00%
Secured Credit Facilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount				165,000,000
Cash excluded from consolidated net leverage ratio	10,000,000		10,000,000
Debt instrument increase in applicable interest rate for past due account receivable limit exceeded	2.00%		2.00%
Write-off of deferred financing costs		1,482,000
Deferred financing fees		7,066,000
Increase in applicable interest rate upon default (as a percent)	2.00%
Term loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount	120,000,000		120,000,000
Term of debt	6 years
Quarterly principal payment, percentage	0.25%		0.25%
Debt issuance costs amortization term	6 years
Mandatory prepayment percentage of the excess cash flow for each fiscal year with the first full fiscal year upon the achievement and maintenance of certain metrics	50.00%
Mandatory prepayment percentage of the excess cash flow for each fiscal year with the first full fiscal year upon the achievement net leverage ration is equal to or less than 2.25	25.00%
Mandatory prepayment percentage of the excess cash flow for each fiscal year with the first full fiscal year upon the achievement net leverage ration is equal to or less than 1.50	0.00%
Consolidated net leverage limit for mandatory prepayment percentage of 25%	2.25
Consolidated net leverage limit for mandatory prepayment percentage of 0%	1
Percentage of prepayment premium that would be payable upon occurrence of repricing transactions within the first year following closing	1.00%
Term loan | LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis of effective interest rate (as a percent)	6.75%
Variable interest rate basis floor (as a percent)		1.00%
Term loan | LIBOR | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis of effective interest rate (as a percent)	1.00%
Term loan | One Month LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis of effective interest rate (as a percent)	1.00%
Term loan | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis of effective interest rate (as a percent)	5.75%
Term loan | Federal Funds effective rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis of effective interest rate (as a percent)	0.50%
Revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term of debt	5 years
Deferred financing fees	2,300,000
Debt issuance costs amortization term	5 years
Revolving credit facility | US Dollar Revolver
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		28,975,000
Aggregate principal amount	30,000,000		30,000,000
Unused facility commitment fees percentage	0.50%
Revolving credit facility | International Revolver
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	15,000,000	15,000,000	15,000,000
Unused facility commitment fees percentage	0.75%
Percentage of eligible receivables that are subject to a perfected security interest which are used in calculation of borrowing base	85.00%
Percentage of eligible receivables that are not subject to a perfected security interest which are used in calculation of borrowing base	10.00%
Revolving credit facility | International Revolver | Other Foreign Banks | Foreign credit agreements
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amounts outstanding		6,722,000
Available borrowing capacity		10,086,000
Letters of credit | US Dollar Revolver
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	25,000,000		25,000,000
Amounts outstanding		16,836,000
Available borrowing capacity		11,939,000
Letters of credit | International Revolver
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$10,000,000		$10,000,000
Non Permitted Country | Secured Credit Facilities | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of receivables more than 120 days old	10.00%		10.00%
United Arab Emirates | Secured Credit Facilities | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of receivables more than 120 days old	14.00%		14.00%

Notes_Payable_and_LongTerm_Deb4

Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 26, 2014	Aug. 06, 2014
Description of terms of credit agreement
Pay off and termination of revolving credit facility	$25,500,000
Interest paid as part of termination of debt	10,820,000
Mandatory prepayment amount			9,522,402
2012 Secured Term Loan
Description of terms of credit agreement
Interest paid as part of termination of debt		1,659,000
Collateral pledged, percentage of outstanding capital of Hill International N.V. and certain other foreign subsidiaries		65.00%
Interest rate (as a percent)	7.50%
Exit Fee Amount		9,338,000
Closing Fee		25,000,000
Aggregate principal amount		75,000,000
Mandatory prepayment amount			9,522,000
Pay off and terminate of Loan		90,478,000
2012 Secured Term Loan | Minimum
Description of terms of credit agreement
Exit Fee Amount		0
2012 Secured Term Loan | Maximum
Description of terms of credit agreement
Term loan target internal rate of return (as a percent)		20.00%
Exit Fee Amount		11,790,000
2009 Revolving Credit Facility
Description of terms of credit agreement
Pay off and termination of revolving credit facility		25,500,000
Interest paid as part of termination of debt	420,000
Revolving credit facility
Description of terms of credit agreement
Closing Fee		$2,300,000
Revolving credit facility | December 31, 2014
Description of terms of credit agreement
Consolidated net leverage ratio not to exceed	3.5
Actual net consolidated leverage ratio	3.1
Revolving credit facility | March 31, 2015
Description of terms of credit agreement
Consolidated net leverage ratio not to exceed	3.5
Revolving credit facility | June 30, 2015
Description of terms of credit agreement
Consolidated net leverage ratio not to exceed	3.5
Revolving credit facility | September 30, 2015
Description of terms of credit agreement
Consolidated net leverage ratio not to exceed	3.25
Revolving credit facility | December 31, 2015
Description of terms of credit agreement
Consolidated net leverage ratio not to exceed	3.25
Revolving credit facility | March 31, 2016
Description of terms of credit agreement
Consolidated net leverage ratio not to exceed	3
Revolving credit facility | June 30, 2016
Description of terms of credit agreement
Consolidated net leverage ratio not to exceed	3
Revolving credit facility | September 30, 2016
Description of terms of credit agreement
Consolidated net leverage ratio not to exceed	2.75
Revolving credit facility | December 31, 2016
Description of terms of credit agreement
Consolidated net leverage ratio not to exceed	2.75
Revolving credit facility | March 31, 2017
Description of terms of credit agreement
Consolidated net leverage ratio not to exceed	2.5
Revolving credit facility | June 30, 2017
Description of terms of credit agreement
Consolidated net leverage ratio not to exceed	2.5
Revolving credit facility | September 30, 2017
Description of terms of credit agreement
Consolidated net leverage ratio not to exceed	2.25
Revolving credit facility | December 31, 2017
Description of terms of credit agreement
Consolidated net leverage ratio not to exceed	2.25
Revolving credit facility | March 31, 2018
Description of terms of credit agreement
Consolidated net leverage ratio not to exceed	2
Revolving credit facility | June 30, 2018
Description of terms of credit agreement
Consolidated net leverage ratio not to exceed	2
Revolving credit facility | September 30, 2018
Description of terms of credit agreement
Consolidated net leverage ratio not to exceed	2
Revolving credit facility | December 31, 2018
Description of terms of credit agreement
Consolidated net leverage ratio not to exceed	2
Revolving credit facility | Thereafter
Description of terms of credit agreement
Consolidated net leverage ratio not to exceed	1.75

Notes_Payable_and_LongTerm_Deb5

Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt (Details 4)

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

USD ($)

USD ($)

Revolving credit facility

Revolving credit facility

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Consortium of banks in Spain

Consortium of banks in Spain

Revolving credit facility

Revolving credit facility

Revolving credit facility

Revolving credit facility

Revolving credit facility

Revolving credit facility

Revolving credit facility

Revolving credit facility

Revolving credit facility

USD ($)

USD ($)

Consortium of banks in Spain

Consortium of banks in Spain

Consortium of banks in Spain

Consortium of banks in Spain

Consortium of banks in Spain

Consortium of banks in Spain

Consortium of banks in Spain

Consortium of banks in Spain

Consortium of banks in Spain

USD ($)

EUR (€)

EUR (€)

31-Dec-14

31-Dec-15

Minimum

Minimum

Maximum

Maximum

item

item

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

Description of terms of credit agreement

Number of banks involved in revolving credit facility

6

6

Interest rate (as a percent)

6.50%

6.50%

Borrowing capacity

$5,071,000

€ 4,170,000

€ 5,640,000

Total debt

128,236,000

133,259,000

5,037,000

7,670,000

5,037,000

4,142,000

Total amount being financed by Financing Entity

346,000

284,000

1,604,000

1,319,000

Reduction in maximum available amount percentage

75.00%

50.00%

Decrease in amount on quarterly basis

€ 15,000

Notes_Payable_and_LongTerm_Deb6

Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt (Details 5)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 26, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 26, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 26, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

USD ($)

Other Foreign Banks

Revolving credit facility

Revolving credit facility

Revolving credit facility

Revolving credit facility

Letters of credit

Letters of credit

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Engineering S.A.

Engineering S.A.

Engineering S.A.

US Dollar Revolver

US Dollar Revolver

US Dollar Revolver

US Dollar Revolver

International Revolver

International Revolver

International Revolver

International Revolver

Subsequent event

USD ($)

National Bank of Abu Dhabi

National Bank of Abu Dhabi

National Bank of Abu Dhabi

National Bank of Abu Dhabi

National Bank of Abu Dhabi

National Bank of Abu Dhabi

Revolving credit facility

Revolving credit facility

Revolving credit facility

Revolving credit facility

Revolving credit facility

Revolving credit facility

Revolving credit facility

Letters of credit

Letters of credit

EURIBOR

Revolving credit facility

Revolving credit facility

Letters of credit

Hill Spain

USD ($)

AED

Emirates InterBank Offer Rate

Emirates InterBank Offer Rate

USD ($)

AED

Ibercaja Bank In Spain

Ibercaja Bank In Spain

USD ($)

BRL

Brazil Bank Revolving Credit Facility 1

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Revolving credit facility

Minimum

USD ($)

EUR (€)

item

item

USD ($)

Ibercaja Bank In Spain

loanfacility

loanfacility

EUR (€)

Description of terms of credit agreement

Maximum borrowing capacity

$69,270,000

$3,131,000

11,500,000

$34,589,000

127,033,000

$851,000

€ 700,000

$1,091,000

$28,975,000

$25,000,000

$15,000,000

$15,000,000

$10,000,000

Decrease in amount on quarterly basis

175,000

Letters of credit outstanding

24,723,000

31,741,000

116,506,000

Reference rate

one-month Emirates InterBank Offer Rate

Basis of effective interest rate (as a percent)

3.00%

4.00%

Interest rate (as a percent)

5.50%

6.75%

6.75%

Effective interest rate (as a percent)

4.48%

Amounts outstanding

0

745,000

613,000

2,900,000

0

16,836,000

Number of revolving credit lines maintained by Engineering S.A.

3

3

Number of banks involved in revolving credit facility

2

2

Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)

3.99%

3.99%

Period of automatic renewal

3 months

3 months

Available borrowing capacity

11,939,000

Indebtedness to sellers

30,000,000

Payoff and termination of term loan

$100,000,000

Notes_Payable_and_LongTerm_Deb7

Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt (Details 6) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Scheduled maturities of long-term debt
2015	$6,361
2016	4,575
2017	1,200
2018	1,200
2019	1,200
Thereafter	113,700
Long-term Debt, Total	$128,236	$133,259

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa2

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 23, 2014
Summary of additional cash flow information
Interest and related financing fees paid	$22,753,000	$13,372,000	$16,952,000
Income taxes paid	11,903,000	8,601,000	4,443,000
Increase in intangible assets and goodwill in connection with acquisitions of Cadogans in 2014 and BCA and CPI in 2013	3,998,000	7,161,000
Increase in deferred income taxes in connection with the acquisition of noncontrolling interests in Hill Spain		460,000	1,720,000
Common stock issued for acquisitions of BCA and CPI		4,450,000
Summary of additional cash flow information
Reduction of noncontrolling interest in connection with acquisition of an additional interest	3,556,000	1,094,000	3,594,000
Additional Paid-in Capital
Summary of additional cash flow information
Reduction of noncontrolling interest in connection with acquisition of an additional interest	907,000
Increase in additional paid in capital from issuance of shares of common stock from cashless exercise of stock options	538,000
CPI
Summary of additional cash flow information
Common stock issued for acquisitions of BCA and CPI				350,000
CPI | Additional Paid-in Capital
Summary of additional cash flow information
Increase in additional paid in capital from issuance of shares of common stock related to purchase of CPI	618,000
Engineering S.A.
Summary of additional cash flow information
Reduction of noncontrolling interest in connection with acquisition of an additional interest	($2,649,000)

ShareBased_Compensation_Detail

Share-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended		70 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 28, 2008	Feb. 28, 2007	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 02, 2015	Jan. 27, 2015
Options
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)	6,574,000	4,644,000	3,821,000
Granted (in shares)	1,849,000	2,076,000	994,000
Exercised (in shares)	-524,000	-8,000	-10,000
Expired (in shares)	-496,000	-101,000	-117,000
Forfeited (in shares)	-44,000	-37,000	-44,000
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	7,359,000	6,574,000	4,644,000			6,574,000
Exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	3,302,000
Share-based compensation expense recognized (in dollars)	$3,292,000	$2,787,000	$2,107,000
Weighted average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of options granted
Average expected life	4 years 7 months 2 days	4 years 3 months 15 days	3 years 7 months 28 days
Forfeiture range (as a percent)			0.00%
Weighted average forfeiture rate (as a percent)	0.90%	0.90%	0.00%
Dividends (as a percent)	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Volatility range, minimum (as a percent)	61.50%	67.80%	70.80%
Volatility range, maximum (as a percent)	65.50%	73.50%	78.40%
Weighted average volatility (as a percent)	62.90%	71.70%	77.50%
Range of risk-free interest rates, minimum (as a percent)	0.86%	0.50%	0.36%
Range of risk-free interest rates, maximum (as a percent)	1.74%	1.36%	0.86%
Weighted average risk-free interest rate (as a percent)	1.67%	0.77%	0.80%
Weighted average fair value at grant date (in dollars per share)	$2.28	$1.95	$2.52
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$4.67	$5.22	$5.29
Granted (in dollars per share)	$4.57	$3.80	$5.17
Exercised (in dollars per share)	$3	$2.45	$2.45
Expired (in dollars per share)	$7.66	$12.42	$7.48
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$4.37	$4.02	$4.94
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$4.57	$4.67	$5.22			4.67
Exercisable at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$5.23
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
Outstanding at the end of the period	3 years 2 months 9 days
Exercisable at the end of the period	1 year 8 months 19 days
Closing stock price (in dollars per share)	$3.84
Minimum
Weighted average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of options granted
Forfeiture range (as a percent)	0.00%	0.00%
Maximum
Weighted average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of options granted
Forfeiture range (as a percent)	5.00%	5.00%
Non-Employee Director Stock Grant Plan
Options
Number of shares covered under the plan	400,000
Shares issued	26,000	52,000	52,000
Share-based compensation expense recognized (in dollars)	175,000	150,000	150,000
2008 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Options
Number of shares covered under the plan	2,000,000
Share-based compensation expense recognized (in dollars)	35,000	24,000	19,000
Purchase price of shares as a percentage of the fair market value on the date of purchase	85.00%
Shares purchased	55,000	51,000	37,000
Aggregate purchase price	197,000	162,000	105,000
2007 Restricted Stock Grant Plan
Options
Number of shares covered under the plan					340,000
Shares issued	0		61,000			317,000
Shares canceled	-2,000
Share-based compensation expense recognized (in dollars)	-8,000		180,000
Number of shares approved by the Compensation Committee					335,000
Award vesting period				5 years
2006 Employee Stock Option Plan
Options
Number of shares covered under the plan	10,000,000
Award vesting period	5 years
Contractual term, non-employee directors	5 years
Contractual term, officers and employees	7 years
Minimum percentage of ownership required for granting options at 110% of closing quoted market price	10.00%
Exercise price as a percentage of closing quoted market price for employees having more than 10 % of outstanding common stock	110.00%
Contractual term of options granted to employees having more than 10 % of outstanding common stock	5 years
Shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under the plan	2,057,474
2006 Employee Stock Option Plan | President And Chief Executive Officer | Subsequent event
Options
Granted (in shares)							500,000
Award vesting period							5 years
Exercise price of the options							$3.91
Contractual life							7 years
Fair value of the options							1,010,000
2006 Employee Stock Option Plan | Various executives | Subsequent event
Options
Granted (in shares)								525,000
Award vesting period								5 years
Exercise price of the options								$4.04
Contractual life								7 years
Fair value of the options								$1,087,000

ShareBased_Compensation_Detail1

Share-Based Compensation (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-Based Compensation
Exercise Prices (in dollars per share)	$4.57
Options Outstanding
Number outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	7,359,176
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	3 years 2 months 9 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$4.57
Options Exercisable
Number exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	3,302,242
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$5.23
2.45
Share-Based Compensation
Exercise Prices (in dollars per share)	$2.45
Options Outstanding
Number outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	559,489
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	1 year 2 months 1 day
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$2.45
Options Exercisable
Number exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	559,489
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$2.45
2.85
Share-Based Compensation
Exercise Prices (in dollars per share)	$2.85
Options Outstanding
Number outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	90,908
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	2 years 5 months 12 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$2.85
Options Exercisable
Number exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	90,908
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$2.85
2.89
Share-Based Compensation
Exercise Prices (in dollars per share)	$2.89
Options Outstanding
Number outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	116,280
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	3 years 5 months 5 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$2.89
Options Exercisable
Number exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	116,280
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$2.89
3.12
Share-Based Compensation
Exercise Prices (in dollars per share)	$3.12
Options Outstanding
Number outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	10,000
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	5 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$3.12
Options Exercisable
Number exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	2,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$3.12
3.67
Share-Based Compensation
Exercise Prices (in dollars per share)	$3.67
Options Outstanding
Number outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	888,000
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	5 years 22 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$3.67
Options Exercisable
Number exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	172,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$3.67
3.89
Share-Based Compensation
Exercise Prices (in dollars per share)	$3.89
Options Outstanding
Number outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	3,000
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	4 years 4 months 21 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$3.89
Options Exercisable
Number exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	3,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$3.89
3.95
Share-Based Compensation
Exercise Prices (in dollars per share)	$3.95
Options Outstanding
Number outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	500,000
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	6 years 4 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$3.95
4.04
Share-Based Compensation
Exercise Prices (in dollars per share)	$4.04
Options Outstanding
Number outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	1,000,000
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	3 years 22 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$4.04
Options Exercisable
Number exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	250,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$4.04
4.19
Share-Based Compensation
Exercise Prices (in dollars per share)	$4.19
Options Outstanding
Number outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	25,000
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	1 year 1 month 17 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$4.19
Options Exercisable
Number exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	25,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$4.19
4.25
Share-Based Compensation
Exercise Prices (in dollars per share)	$4.25
Options Outstanding
Number outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	84,868
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	5 months 1 day
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$4.25
Options Exercisable
Number exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	84,868
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$4.25
4.35
Share-Based Compensation
Exercise Prices (in dollars per share)	$4.35
Options Outstanding
Number outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	500,000
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	4 years 4 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$4.35
4.37
Share-Based Compensation
Exercise Prices (in dollars per share)	$4.37
Options Outstanding
Number outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	10,000
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	1 year 4 months 2 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$4.37
Options Exercisable
Number exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	10,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$4.37
4.92
Share-Based Compensation
Exercise Prices (in dollars per share)	$4.92
Options Outstanding
Number outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	5,000
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	1 year 7 months 2 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$4.92
Options Exercisable
Number exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	5,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$4.92
4.95
Share-Based Compensation
Exercise Prices (in dollars per share)	$4.95
Options Outstanding
Number outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	775,000
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	6 years 2 months 9 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$4.95
5.31
Share-Based Compensation
Exercise Prices (in dollars per share)	$5.31
Options Outstanding
Number outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	20,000
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	2 years 26 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$5.31
Options Exercisable
Number exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	16,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$5.31
5.47
Share-Based Compensation
Exercise Prices (in dollars per share)	$5.47
Options Outstanding
Number outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	880,200
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	2 years 2 months 5 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$5.47
Options Exercisable
Number exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	440,100
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$5.47
5.73
Share-Based Compensation
Exercise Prices (in dollars per share)	$5.73
Options Outstanding
Number outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	8,000
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	3 years 10 months 2 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$5.73
Options Exercisable
Number exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	4,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$5.73
5.83
Share-Based Compensation
Exercise Prices (in dollars per share)	$5.83
Options Outstanding
Number outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	265,000
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	2 years 3 months
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$5.83
Options Exercisable
Number exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	212,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$5.83
6.31
Share-Based Compensation
Exercise Prices (in dollars per share)	$6.31
Options Outstanding
Number outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	261,725
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	2 years 11 months 12 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$6.31
Options Exercisable
Number exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	181,725
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$6.31
6.32
Share-Based Compensation
Exercise Prices (in dollars per share)	$6.32
Options Outstanding
Number outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	10,000
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	10 months 2 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$6.32
Options Exercisable
Number exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	10,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$6.32
6.41
Share-Based Compensation
Exercise Prices (in dollars per share)	$6.41
Options Outstanding
Number outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	320,000
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	2 months 27 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$6.41
Options Exercisable
Number exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	320,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$6.41
6.5
Share-Based Compensation
Exercise Prices (in dollars per share)	$6.50
Options Outstanding
Number outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	3,000
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	1 month 13 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$6.50
Options Exercisable
Number exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	3,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$6.50
6.61
Share-Based Compensation
Exercise Prices (in dollars per share)	$6.61
Options Outstanding
Number outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	63,870
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	4 years 5 months 12 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$6.61
Options Exercisable
Number exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	63,870
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$6.61
7.32
Share-Based Compensation
Exercise Prices (in dollars per share)	$7.32
Options Outstanding
Number outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	907,336
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	1 year 26 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$7.32
Options Exercisable
Number exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	680,502
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$7.32
11.1
Share-Based Compensation
Exercise Prices (in dollars per share)	$11.10
Options Outstanding
Number outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	20,000
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	29 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$11.10
Options Exercisable
Number exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	20,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$11.10
12.82
Share-Based Compensation
Exercise Prices (in dollars per share)	$12.82
Options Outstanding
Number outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	22,500
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	1 month 13 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$12.82
Options Exercisable
Number exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	22,500
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$12.82
16.79
Share-Based Compensation
Exercise Prices (in dollars per share)	$16.79
Options Outstanding
Number outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	10,000
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	7 months 2 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$16.79
Options Exercisable
Number exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	10,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$16.79

ShareBased_Compensation_Detail2

Share-Based Compensation (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-Based Compensation
Share-based compensation expense recognized (in dollars)	$3,292,000	$2,787,000	$2,107,000
Options
Non-vested options at the beginning of the period (in shares)	3,541	2,483	2,414
Granted (in shares)	1,849	2,076	994
Vested (in shares)	-1,289	-981	-881
Forfeited (in shares)	-44	-37	-44
Non-vested options at the end of the period (in shares)	4,057	3,541	2,483
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Non-vested options at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$2.20	$2.39	$2.23
Granted (in dollars per share)	$2.28	$1.95	$2.52
Vested (in dollars per share)	$2.19	$2.14	$2.12
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$2.33	$2.17	$2.15
Non-vested options at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$2.24	$2.20	$2.39
Unrecognized compensation cost
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested options (in dollars)	$6,153,000
Weighted-average service period over which unrecognized compensation cost is to be recognized	1 year 11 months 16 days

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Aug. 06, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 07, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014
Stock Repurchase Program
Stock Repurchase Program, authorized amount		$60,000,000
Number of shares purchased by company under stock repurchase program		5,834,369
Aggregate purchase price of shares repurchased		24,438,000
Average purchase price per share (in dollars per share)		$4.19
Aggregate amount of stock purchase authorized under the terms of the Credit Agreement		3,000,000
Other disclosures
Options exercise price (in dollars per share)		$3	$2.45	$2.45
Common Stock Issuance	9,546,629
Sale of common stock	38,078,000
Number of mandatory prepayments	2
Mandatory prepayment amount	9,522,402
Future issuance
Other disclosures
Common Stock Issuance		20,000,000
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Other disclosures
Options exercised (in shares)					200,000
Options exercise price (in dollars per share)					$2.70
Withheld shares as payment for the options (in shares)					112,788
Shares received from transaction					87,212
Future acquisition
Other disclosures
Stock issued for acquisition of businesses		6,438,923
Future acquisition | Future issuance
Other disclosures
Stock issued for acquisition of businesses		20,000,000
BCI and CPI acquisitions
Other disclosures
Stock issued for acquisition of businesses			1,389,769
Number of companies for which common stock will be issued		2
CPI
Other disclosures
Stock issued for acquisition of businesses in excess of required amount ( in shares)						171,308
Stock issued for acquisition of businesses in excess of required amount							$618,000
Stock issued for acquisition of businesses		171,308

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Taxes
Effective income tax rate (as a percent)	-697.90%	63.00%	-104.20%
Interest paid as part of termination of debt	$10,820,000
Reversal for uncertain tax position based on settlement of prior year tax positions related to a foreign jurisdiction	2,500,000	2,473,000
Components of earnings (loss) before income taxes
United States	-39,635,000	-26,460,000	-19,172,000
Foreign jurisdictions	38,430,000	36,054,000	6,269,000
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	-1,205,000	9,594,000	-12,903,000
U.S. federal
Current			285,000
Deferred			10,586,000
Total			10,871,000
State and local
Current			-12,000
Deferred			-1,684,000
Total			-1,696,000
Foreign jurisdictions
Current	10,036,000	7,245,000	7,913,000
Deferred	-1,625,000	-1,202,000	-3,646,000
Total	8,411,000	6,043,000	4,267,000
Income tax (benefit) expense
Current	10,036,000	7,245,000	8,186,000
Deferred	-1,625,000	-1,202,000	5,256,000
Total	8,411,000	6,043,000	13,442,000
Reconciliation of income taxes based on the statutory U.S. federal income tax and the Company's effective income tax rate
Statutory federal income tax	-410,000	3,262,000	-4,387,000
Foreign tax benefit for earnings taxed at lower rates	-2,285,000	-3,907,000	1,837,000
Change in the valuation allowance	15,409,000	10,783,000	18,258,000
Net liability (reductions) additions for uncertain tax positions	-2,379,000	-2,314,000	-350,000
Excess compensation	646,000	204,000	170,000
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	-2,076,000	-1,476,000	-1,065,000
Stock options	224,000	230,000	-356,000
Deferred tax adjustment			-497,000
Purchase accounting reversal	-490,000
Reversal of interest allocations to foreign entities		-1,014,000
Other	-228,000	275,000	-168,000
Total	8,411,000	6,043,000	13,442,000
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforward - U.S. operations	40,065,000	25,185,000
Amortization of intangibles	7,329,000	6,657,000
Net operating loss carryforward - foreign operations	8,558,000	6,389,000
Compensated absences	2,458,000	2,574,000
Foreign income taxes on currency translation	1,007,000
Share based compensation	3,026,000	2,087,000
Allowance for uncollectible accounts	1,003,000	933,000
Bonus accrual	1,087,000	1,373,000
Deferred income	485,000	19,000
Foreign tax credit	982,000	956,000
Other	875,000	671,000
Total gross deferred tax assets	66,875,000	46,844,000
Valuation allowances	-49,254,000	-31,257,000
Net deferred tax assets	17,621,000	15,587,000
Deferred tax liabilities:
Intangible assets	-13,205,000	-14,013,000
Depreciation	-1,297,000	-1,512,000
Prepaid expenses	-1,159,000	-632,000
Change in tax method	-279,000	-369,000
Foreign income taxes on currency translations		-575,000
Total gross deferred tax liabilities	-15,940,000	-17,101,000
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	1,681,000	-1,514,000
Foreign income taxes on currency translations	1,007,000
Amounts included in the consolidated balance sheets:
Current deferred tax assets	1,188,000	1,705,000
Non-current deferred tax assets	15,426,000	13,882,000
Current deferred tax liabilities	-279,000	-369,000
Non-current deferred tax liabilities	-14,654,000	-16,732,000
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	$1,681,000	($1,514,000)

Income_Taxes_Details_2

Income Taxes (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating loss carryforwards
Provision for U.S. taxes on cumulative earnings of foreign subsidiaries	$0
Cumulative earnings of foreign subsidiaries	147,997,000
Decrease (increase) in deferred tax assets and additional paid in capital related to the vesting of restricted stock		583,000
Changes in uncertain tax positions
Balance, beginning of year	2,933,000	5,033,000
Reductions based on tax positions related to prior years	-2,683,000	-2,473,000
Additions based on tax positions related to prior years	725,000	373,000
Balance, end of year	975,000	2,933,000
Additional disclosures
Accrued interest and penalties related to Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits	520,000	172,000
Maximum
Operating loss carryforwards
Period for examination of tax returns for prior years net operating lossses utilized in subsequent years's tax returns	3 years
Foreign Tax
Operating loss carryforwards
Valuation allowance related to operating loss carryforwards	7,167,000	4,489,000
Deferred tax asset related to net operating losses	33,933,000	24,013,000
Federal
Operating loss carryforwards
Valuation allowance related to operating loss carryforwards	15,319,000	9,062,000
Net operating loss carryforwards	101,071,000
State
Operating loss carryforwards
Net operating loss carryforwards	$104,076,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details)

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Apr. 30, 2012

Apr. 30, 2012

Feb. 28, 2011

Feb. 28, 2011

Feb. 28, 2011

Jul. 23, 2013

Jul. 23, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

USD ($)

USD ($)

Cadogans

Cadogans

Plaintiff

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

Hill Spain

GBP (£)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

ESA

ESA

ESA

ESA

ESA

ESA

ESA

ESA

ESA

USD ($)

BRL

USD ($)

BRL

USD ($)

BRL

USD ($)

BRL

Commitments and Contingencies

Maximum potential future payment under off-balance sheet arrangements

$80,022,000

Cash held as collateral for the issuance of performance and advance payment bonds and letters of credit

16,007,000

18,506,000

Acquisition-Related Contingencies

Possible loss contingency

8,771,000

Invoices accrued plus interest

2,340,000

Interest accrued

448,000

Ownership interest acquired (as a percent)

60.00%

Amount of cash paid to acquire the entity

3,508,000

6,624,000

11,757,000

22,200,000

Minimum additional payment

5,095,000

11,372,000

Additional amount that the entity may be required to pay under certain circumstances

200,000

2,468,000

5,000,000

Multiple of earnings for determining purchase price of minority shares

7

Call option Purchase price premium if exercised by Gerens Hill (as a percent)

5.00%

Call/put option exercise period after audited financial statements

3 months

Acquisition consideration payable

519,000

Contingent consideration arrangement, evaluation period

2 years

Contingent consideration, minimum

0

Contingent consideration, maximum

£ 200,000

$2,468,000

5,000,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details 2)	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
	USD ($)	Hill International N.V. (formerly Hill International S.A.)	Hill International N.V. (formerly Hill International S.A.)
		USD ($)	BRL
Commitments and Contingencies
Accrual for employment taxes	$3,600,000
Reversal of the write-down of the liabilities for the second installment obligation		$873,000	1,950,000

Operating_Leases_Details

Operating Leases (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating Leases
Rent expense	$13,902,000	$12,408,000	$12,538,000
Operating lease obligations
2015	12,422,000
2016	9,143,000
2017	7,665,000
2018	6,097,000
2019	4,897,000
Thereafter	15,270,000
Total	$55,494,000

Benefit_Plans_Details

Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	4 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Benefit Plans
Age of the employees qualified to participate in the defined contribution plan	21 years
Matching contribution by employer, maximum		$2,550
Expense related to savings plan recognized		$801,000	$734,000	$666,000
Matching contribution by employer as a percentage of employee compensation	50.00%	50.00%
Matching contribution by employer as a percentage of employee's considered compensation, maximum	6.00%	2.00%

Business_Segment_Information_D

Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenue
Consulting Fee Revenue	$575,805,000	$512,085,000	$417,598,000
Consulting fee revenue (as a percent)	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Total Revenue	640,281,000	576,681,000	480,781,000
Total revenue (as a percent)	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Project Management
Revenue
Consulting Fee Revenue	427,515,000	392,602,000	312,232,000
Consulting fee revenue (as a percent)	74.20%	76.70%	74.80%
Total Revenue	486,442,000	452,517,000	372,281,000
Total revenue (as a percent)	76.00%	78.50%	77.40%
Construction Claims
Revenue
Consulting Fee Revenue	148,290,000	119,483,000	105,366,000
Consulting fee revenue (as a percent)	25.80%	23.30%	25.20%
Total Revenue	$153,839,000	$124,164,000	$108,500,000
Total revenue (as a percent)	24.00%	21.50%	22.60%

Business_Segment_Information_D1

Business Segment Information (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating Profit:
Operating profit	$29,280	$32,458	$5,247
Operating segment | Project Management
Operating Profit:
Operating profit	48,516	48,682	23,273
Operating segment | Construction Claims
Operating Profit:
Operating profit	10,996	12,171	8,071
Corporate
Operating Profit:
Operating profit	($30,232)	($28,395)	($26,097)

Business_Segment_Information_D2

Business Segment Information (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Depreciation and Amortization Expense
Depreciation and amortization expenses	$9,823	$10,756	$12,430
Operating segment
Depreciation and Amortization Expense
Depreciation and amortization expenses	9,607	10,529	12,170
Operating segment | Project Management
Depreciation and Amortization Expense
Depreciation and amortization expenses	6,888	7,677	9,172
Operating segment | Construction Claims
Depreciation and Amortization Expense
Depreciation and amortization expenses	2,719	2,852	2,998
Corporate
Depreciation and Amortization Expense
Depreciation and amortization expenses	$216	$227	$260

Business_Segment_Information_D3

Business Segment Information (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Consulting Fee Revenue by Geographic Region
Consulting Fee Revenue	$575,805,000	$512,085,000	$417,598,000
Consulting fee revenue (as a percent)	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Total Revenue	640,281,000	576,681,000	480,781,000
Total revenue (as a percent)	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
U.S./Canada
Consulting Fee Revenue by Geographic Region
Consulting Fee Revenue	125,691,000	121,291,000	117,593,000
Consulting fee revenue (as a percent)	21.80%	23.70%	28.20%
Total Revenue	170,550,000	171,012,000	167,682,000
Total revenue (as a percent)	26.60%	29.70%	34.90%
Latin America
Consulting Fee Revenue by Geographic Region
Consulting Fee Revenue	40,844,000	49,188,000	51,820,000
Consulting fee revenue (as a percent)	7.10%	9.60%	12.40%
Total Revenue	41,106,000	49,546,000	52,046,000
Total revenue (as a percent)	6.40%	8.60%	10.80%
Europe
Consulting Fee Revenue by Geographic Region
Consulting Fee Revenue	79,009,000	75,398,000	84,267,000
Consulting fee revenue (as a percent)	13.70%	14.70%	20.20%
Total Revenue	84,335,000	80,062,000	90,624,000
Total revenue (as a percent)	13.20%	13.90%	18.80%
Middle East
Consulting Fee Revenue by Geographic Region
Consulting Fee Revenue	270,924,000	219,315,000	134,037,000
Consulting fee revenue (as a percent)	47.10%	42.80%	32.10%
Total Revenue	280,502,000	224,716,000	138,731,000
Total revenue (as a percent)	43.80%	39.00%	28.90%
Africa
Consulting Fee Revenue by Geographic Region
Consulting Fee Revenue	23,849,000	22,744,000	13,591,000
Consulting fee revenue (as a percent)	4.10%	4.40%	3.30%
Total Revenue	27,474,000	26,186,000	15,303,000
Total revenue (as a percent)	4.30%	4.50%	3.20%
Asia/Pacific
Consulting Fee Revenue by Geographic Region
Consulting Fee Revenue	35,488,000	24,149,000	16,290,000
Consulting fee revenue (as a percent)	6.20%	4.80%	3.80%
Total Revenue	36,314,000	25,159,000	16,395,000
Total revenue (as a percent)	5.70%	4.30%	3.40%
U.S.
Consulting Fee Revenue by Geographic Region
Consulting Fee Revenue	122,096,000	117,740,000	114,368,000
Consulting fee revenue (as a percent)	21.20%	23.00%	27.40%
Total Revenue	166,893,000	167,314,000	164,347,000
Total revenue (as a percent)	26.10%	29.00%	34.20%
Non - U.S.
Consulting Fee Revenue by Geographic Region
Consulting Fee Revenue	453,709,000	394,345,000	303,230,000
Consulting fee revenue (as a percent)	78.80%	77.00%	72.60%
Total Revenue	473,388,000	409,367,000	316,434,000
Total revenue (as a percent)	73.90%	71.00%	65.80%
Non - U.S. | Consulting fee revenue | Geographic concentration risk
Consulting Fee Revenue by Geographic Region
Number of countries	0	0	0
Non - U.S. | Total revenue | Geographic concentration risk
Consulting Fee Revenue by Geographic Region
Number of countries	0	0	0
United Arab Emirates
Consulting Fee Revenue by Geographic Region
Consulting Fee Revenue	73,329,000	66,918,000	61,729,000
Consulting fee revenue (as a percent)	12.70%	13.10%	14.80%
Total Revenue	74,708,000	68,158,000	63,072,000
Total revenue (as a percent)	11.70%	11.80%	13.10%
Brazil
Consulting Fee Revenue by Geographic Region
Consulting Fee Revenue			45,663,000
Consulting fee revenue (as a percent)			10.90%
Oman
Consulting Fee Revenue by Geographic Region
Consulting Fee Revenue	66,896,000	51,053,000
Consulting fee revenue (as a percent)	11.60%	10.00%
Total Revenue	$70,798,000
Total revenue (as a percent)	11.80%

Business_Segment_Information_D4

Business Segment Information (Details 5) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Consulting Fee Revenue and Total Revenue By Client Type
Consulting Fee Revenue	$575,805,000	$512,085,000	$417,598,000
Consulting fee revenue (as a percent)	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Total Revenue	640,281,000	576,681,000	480,781,000
Total revenue (as a percent)	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
U.S. federal government
Consulting Fee Revenue and Total Revenue By Client Type
Consulting Fee Revenue	13,250,000	14,958,000	12,877,000
Consulting fee revenue (as a percent)	2.30%	2.90%	3.10%
Total Revenue	16,459,000	17,499,000	15,429,000
Total revenue (as a percent)	2.60%	3.00%	3.20%
U.S. state, regional and local governments
Consulting Fee Revenue and Total Revenue By Client Type
Consulting Fee Revenue	74,921,000	69,477,000	61,790,000
Consulting fee revenue (as a percent)	13.00%	13.60%	14.80%
Total Revenue	104,866,000	100,157,000	82,898,000
Total revenue (as a percent)	16.40%	17.40%	17.20%
Foreign governments
Consulting Fee Revenue and Total Revenue By Client Type
Consulting Fee Revenue	219,605,000	181,066,000	96,242,000
Consulting fee revenue (as a percent)	38.10%	35.30%	23.00%
Total Revenue	232,715,000	188,981,000	102,136,000
Total revenue (as a percent)	36.30%	32.80%	21.20%
Private sector
Consulting Fee Revenue and Total Revenue By Client Type
Consulting Fee Revenue	268,029,000	246,584,000	246,689,000
Consulting fee revenue (as a percent)	46.60%	48.20%	59.10%
Total Revenue	$286,241,000	$270,044,000	$280,318,000
Total revenue (as a percent)	44.70%	46.80%	58.40%

Business_Segment_Information_D5

Business Segment Information (Details 6) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Total Assets by Geographic Region
Total assets	$464,984	$449,102
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net by Geographic Location
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net by Geographic Location	11,643	10,613
U.S./Canada
Total Assets by Geographic Region
Total assets	113,481	104,729
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net by Geographic Location
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net by Geographic Location	3,358	3,837
Latin America
Total Assets by Geographic Region
Total assets	33,757	37,506
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net by Geographic Location
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net by Geographic Location	1,101	1,351
Europe
Total Assets by Geographic Region
Total assets	98,106	102,871
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net by Geographic Location
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net by Geographic Location	2,191	2,575
Middle East
Total Assets by Geographic Region
Total assets	130,969	108,654
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net by Geographic Location
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net by Geographic Location	3,428	2,167
Africa
Total Assets by Geographic Region
Total assets	68,834	79,043
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net by Geographic Location
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net by Geographic Location	901	182
Asia/Pacific
Total Assets by Geographic Region
Total assets	19,837	16,299
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net by Geographic Location
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net by Geographic Location	664	501
U.S.
Total Assets by Geographic Region
Total assets	111,588	103,017
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net by Geographic Location
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net by Geographic Location	3,358	3,837
Non - U.S.
Total Assets by Geographic Region
Total assets	353,396	346,085
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net by Geographic Location
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net by Geographic Location	$8,285	$6,776

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual1

Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) (Uncollectible Receivables, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Uncollectible Receivables
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Balance at Beginning of Fiscal Year	$9,530	$10,268	$9,181
Additions Charged to Earnings	5,323	3,928	3,209
Other-Allowance Acquired in Business Combinations	161	90
Uncollectible Receivables Written off, Net of Recoveries	-3,872	-4,756	-2,122
Balance at End of Fiscal Year	$11,142	$9,530	$10,268