WILMER, CUTLER & PICKERING
                                100 LIGHT STREET
                               BALTIMORE, MD 21202          WASHINGTON
                                    _________               BALTIMORE
                                                            NEW YORK
                            TELEPHONE (410) 986-2800        LONDON
                            FACSIMILE (410) 986-2828        BRUSSELS
                                                            BERLIN



                               November 17, 1999

FTI Consulting, Inc.
2021 Research Drive
Annapolis, Maryland 21401

                  Re:      FTI Consulting, Inc.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                  We have acted as counsel to FTI Consulting, Inc., a Maryland
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the preparation by the Company
of a Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about November 19, 1999
(the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for
the registration of 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share
(the "Shares"), of the Company reserved for sale upon exercise of stock options
granted pursuant to the 1997 Stock Option Plan, as amended. For the purposes of
this opinion, we have examined and relied upon such documents, records,
certificates and other instruments as we have deemed necessary.

                  Based solely upon the foregoing, and upon our examination of
such questions of law and statutes as we have considered necessary or
appropriate, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications, limitations and
exceptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that (a) the Shares have been
lawfully and duly authorized; and (b) such Shares will be validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable upon payment of the exercise price established pursuant
to the 1997 Stock Option Plan, as amended.

                  This opinion is limited to the laws of the United States and
the general corporation law of Maryland. Our opinion is rendered only with
respect to the laws and the rules, regulations and orders thereunder that are
currently in effect.

                  We assume no obligation to advise you of any changes in the
foregoing subsequent to the delivery of this opinion. This opinion has been
prepared for your use in connection with the filing of Post-Effective Amendment
No. 2 to the Registration Statement on or about November 19, 1999, and should
not be quoted in whole or in part or otherwise be referred to, nor otherwise be
filed with



FTI Consulting, Inc.
November 17, 1999
Page 2



or furnished to any governmental agency or other person or entity, without our
express prior written consent.

                  We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit
to the Registration Statement.

                                       Sincerely,

                                       WILMER, CUTLER & PICKERING


                                       By:       /S/ JOHN B. WATKINS
                                          -------------------------------------
                                                John B. Watkins, a partner