EXHIBIT 5.1

[PMRW LOGO]PIPER
           MARBURY
           RUDNICK
           & WOLFE LLP

6225 Smith Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21209-3600
www.piperrudnick.com

PHONE  (410) 580-3000
FAX    (410) 580-3001

                                 June 22, 2001

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

Ladies and Gentlemen:


     We have acted as counsel for FTI Consulting, Inc., a Maryland corporation
(the "Company"), in connection with the preparation and filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission of the Registration Statement on Form S-8
(the "Registration Statement") registering 1,100,000 shares (the "Shares") of
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company, of which 1,000,000
shares are issuable under the FTI Consulting, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan, as
amended, and 100,000 shares are issuable under the FTI Consulting, Inc. Employee
Stock Purchase Plan (the "Plans").

     We have examined copies of the Company's charter, its bylaws, as amended
and restated and in effect on the date hereof, the Plans, all resolutions
adopted by the Company's Board of Directors relating to the authorization of the
issuance of the Shares and such other records and documents that we have deemed
necessary for the purpose of the rendering of this opinion.  In such examination
of the aforesaid documents, we have assumed, without independent investigation,
the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all individuals who
have executed any of the aforesaid documents, the authenticity of all documents
submitted to us as originals, the conformity with originals of all documents
submitted to us as copies (and the authenticity of the originals of such
copies), and the accuracy and completeness of all public records reviewed by us.
As to factual matters material to this opinion, we have relied on statements and
certificates of officers of the Company.

     Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares issuable
under the Plans have been duly authorized and, when issued in accordance with
the Plans, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.


     The opinion set forth herein is limited to matters governed by the laws of
the State of Maryland and the federal laws of the United States of America, and
we express no opinion as to any other laws.  We hereby consent to the filing of
this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement.

                              Very truly yours,



                              /s/ Piper Marbury Rudnick & Wolfe LLP