Exhibit 16.1 [Letterhead of Arthur Andersen LLP] Office of the Chief Accountant Securities and Exchange Commission 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20549 April 17, 2002 Dear Sir/Madam: We have read the first, second, third and fourth paragraphs of Item 4 included in the Form 8-K dated April 17, 2002 of Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc., to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and are in agreement with the statements contained therein. Very truly yours, /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP