Author: Taylor Warfield, Former Bain Manager and interviewer

Last Updated: May 11, 2026

 

Litigation consulting is a specialized branch of consulting where professionals help attorneys and legal teams analyze financial data, prepare expert testimony, and build winning case strategies for high-stakes disputes. It sits at the intersection of law, finance, and structured problem solving.

 

If you are exploring litigation consulting as a career or trying to understand how it connects to the broader consulting industry, this guide covers everything you need to know. You will learn what litigation consultants actually do, which firms hire them, how much they earn, and the exact steps to break in.

 

But first, a quick heads up:

 

McKinsey, BCG, Bain, and other top firms accept less than 1% of applicants every year. If you want to triple your chances of landing interviews and 8x your chances of passing them, watch my free 40-minute training.

 

What Is Litigation Consulting?

 

Litigation consulting is the practice of providing expert analysis, financial investigation, and strategic support to attorneys during legal disputes, investigations, and regulatory matters. Litigation consultants do not represent clients in court. Instead, they work behind the scenes to strengthen the factual and analytical foundation of a legal case.

 

The field breaks into two main branches. The first is forensic and financial litigation consulting, which focuses on analyzing financial records, quantifying economic damages, investigating fraud, and supporting expert witness testimony. Firms like FTI Consulting and Deloitte dominate this space. According to FTI Consulting’s public filings, its Forensic and Litigation Consulting segment alone generated over $900 million in revenue in 2023.

 

The second branch is trial and jury consulting, which focuses on jury selection, witness preparation, mock trials, visual presentations, and courtroom strategy. This branch draws heavily on psychology and communication science rather than finance.

 

Both branches serve the same goal: helping legal teams win cases. But the skills, backgrounds, and day-to-day work are quite different. If you come from a finance, accounting, or economics background, you will likely enter through the forensic and financial side. If your background is in psychology, communications, or law, the trial consulting path may be a better fit.

 

Litigation consulting is distinct from management consulting. Management consultants advise companies on business strategy and operations. Litigation consultants advise legal teams on disputes already in progress. The clients, the work, and the career path are all different.

 

What Does a Litigation Consultant Do?

 

A litigation consultant analyzes data, prepares evidence, and provides strategic recommendations that help attorneys build stronger cases. The specific tasks depend on whether you work in forensic and financial consulting or trial and jury consulting.

 

What Do Forensic and Financial Litigation Consultants Do?

 

Forensic and financial litigation consultants spend most of their time working with numbers. They review financial statements, build economic models, calculate damages, and investigate potential fraud. According to Glassdoor data from 2026, roughly 60% of litigation consulting job postings emphasize financial analysis as a core requirement.

 

Typical responsibilities include:

 

• Reviewing financial records, contracts, and transaction histories to identify relevant facts for a case

 

• Building damages models that estimate the financial impact of a breach, fraud, or regulatory violation

 

• Conducting forensic investigations into suspected fraud, embezzlement, or accounting irregularities

 

• Preparing expert reports and exhibits that summarize technical findings for judges, juries, and regulators

 

• Supporting expert witnesses by organizing data, drafting analyses, and helping them prepare for depositions and cross-examination

 

On a typical day, you might spend the morning building a damages spreadsheet in Excel, the afternoon reviewing deposition transcripts for financial inconsistencies, and the evening drafting a section of an expert report. The work is detail oriented and deadline driven. Cases often have court-imposed deadlines that cannot move.

 

What Do Trial and Jury Consultants Do?

 

Trial and jury consultants focus on the human side of litigation. They help attorneys understand how jurors think, prepare witnesses to testify effectively, and design visual presentations that make complex arguments easier to follow. According to the American Society of Trial Consultants, the profession has grown by over 20% in the past decade as attorneys increasingly recognize the value of pre-trial research.

 

Typical responsibilities include:

 

• Conducting focus groups and mock trials to test case themes and identify weaknesses before trial

 

• Advising on jury selection by analyzing juror demographics, attitudes, and potential biases

 

• Preparing witnesses for depositions and trial testimony, focusing on clarity, credibility, and composure

 

• Creating visual aids such as timelines, charts, animations, and multimedia presentations for the courtroom

 

• Developing case themes and narrative strategies that resonate with decision makers

 

A typical day might involve running a mock trial in the morning, debriefing with the legal team over lunch, and spending the afternoon coaching a key witness for an upcoming deposition. The work is fast paced and high pressure, especially as trial dates approach.

 

What Types of Cases Do Litigation Consultants Work On?

 

Litigation consultants work across a wide range of industries and case types. The common thread is that the case involves enough complexity, financial stakes, or technical detail that attorneys need outside expertise. According to Chambers and Partners, the top litigation support firms are regularly engaged in disputes valued at hundreds of millions to billions of dollars.

 

Case Type	What It Involves	Example
Antitrust	Analyzing market competition, pricing, and merger impacts	DOJ review of a proposed merger between two major airlines
Securities	Evaluating trading patterns, financial disclosures, and investor losses	Class action lawsuit alleging misleading earnings statements
Intellectual Property	Quantifying damages from patent, trademark, or trade secret violations	Tech company suing a competitor for patent infringement
M&A Disputes	Analyzing purchase price adjustments, earn-out disagreements, and rep warranties	Buyer and seller disagreeing on post-closing financial adjustments
Fraud Investigation	Tracing funds, analyzing internal controls, and identifying irregularities	Corporate board investigating suspected embezzlement by an executive
Construction	Evaluating delays, cost overruns, change orders, and contract disputes	Government agency disputing a contractor’s $250M cost overrun claim
Regulatory	Supporting compliance reviews, enforcement actions, and government investigations	Healthcare company responding to a DOJ investigation into billing practices

 

In my experience, the cases that tend to be most rewarding are the ones with the highest stakes and the most complex fact patterns. These are the situations where a single well-built analysis can shift the entire trajectory of a multi-million dollar dispute.

 

What Are the Top Litigation Consulting Firms?

 

Litigation consulting firms range from global advisory giants to specialized boutiques. The right firm for you depends on whether you want to focus on forensic accounting, economic analysis, trial strategy, or a combination. According to Consulting.us rankings, the top litigation consulting firms include a mix of Big Four firms, dedicated economic consultancies, and niche forensic practices.

 

Firm	Headquarters	Primary Specialties	Type
FTI Consulting	Washington, D.C.	Forensic accounting, economic consulting, eDiscovery, expert testimony	Global advisory
Analysis Group	Boston, MA	Antitrust, health economics, IP, securities litigation	Economic consultancy
Charles River Associates	Boston, MA	Antitrust, securities, IP damages, transfer pricing	Economic consultancy
NERA Economic Consulting	New York, NY	Securities, antitrust, energy, environment litigation	Economic consultancy
The Brattle Group	Boston, MA	Energy, antitrust, IP, financial economics	Economic consultancy
Compass Lexecon (FTI)	Chicago, IL	Antitrust, mergers, class actions, market regulation	Economic consultancy
Berkeley Research Group	Emeryville, CA	Damages modeling, class actions, valuation disputes	Expert services firm
Ankura Consulting	Washington, D.C.	Forensic investigations, disputes, compliance	Advisory firm
Huron Consulting	Chicago, IL	Healthcare disputes, forensic accounting, compliance	Consulting firm
Deloitte	London, UK	Forensic investigations, eDiscovery, dispute advisory	Big Four
PwC	London, UK	Multinational disputes, white-collar investigations	Big Four
EY	London, UK	Fraud investigations, forensic data analytics	Big Four

 

FTI Consulting is the largest standalone player in the space. As of 2023, FTI served 98 of the world’s top 100 law firms and 83 of the Fortune 100. Analysis Group and Charles River Associates are the go-to firms for PhD economists who want to do rigorous quantitative work tied to litigation.

 

The Big Four firms (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) run significant forensic and litigation practices, but those practices sit inside much larger organizations. If you want deep specialization in litigation from day one, a dedicated firm like FTI or Analysis Group will give you more focused exposure.

 

How Much Do Litigation Consultants Make?

 

Litigation consulting pays well, especially as you gain experience and develop specialized expertise. According to ZipRecruiter data from March 2026, the average annual salary for litigation consulting roles in the United States is approximately $132,000. Glassdoor reports a slightly lower average of $120,000, with significant variation based on firm, location, and seniority.

 

Level	Years of Experience	Typical Salary Range	Notes
Entry-Level Analyst	0 to 2 years	$65,000 to $90,000	Strong start for recent grads with finance or accounting degrees
Mid-Level Consultant	3 to 6 years	$95,000 to $140,000	Higher end for those with CPA, CFA, or CFE credentials
Senior Consultant / Manager	7 to 12 years	$140,000 to $200,000	Often leading engagements and supporting expert witnesses
Director / Partner	12+ years	$200,000 to $400,000+	Testifying experts and rainmakers earn the highest comp

 

Two things can significantly boost your compensation. First, earning certifications like the CPA or CFE signals technical credibility and often leads to faster promotions. Second, developing courtroom experience as an expert witness or supporting expert testimony puts you in a higher-value category. Consultants who testify regularly can command hourly rates of $400 to $800+ for their time.

 

Compared to management consulting salaries, entry-level litigation consulting pays slightly less. MBB firms start undergrad hires around $100,000. However, senior litigation consultants with expert witness experience can match or exceed the compensation of management consulting managers and principals, especially at top firms like FTI, Analysis Group, and Berkeley Research Group.

 

What Skills Do You Need for Litigation Consulting?

 

Litigation consulting requires a blend of technical skills and communication ability. You need to be comfortable working with complex data and translating your findings into clear language that attorneys, judges, and juries can understand. According to Robert Half’s 2026 Legal Salary Guide, 79% of legal leaders pay a premium for candidates with specialized analytical skills.

 

Skill	Why It Matters	How to Build It
Financial Analysis	Core of forensic work: reviewing financial statements, modeling damages, tracing funds	Coursework in accounting or finance, CPA exam prep, public accounting experience
Data Interpretation	Identifying patterns, anomalies, and trends in large datasets	Practice with Excel, Stata, Python, or Tableau on real datasets
Written Communication	Expert reports must be clear, precise, and persuasive to survive legal scrutiny	Draft analytical memos, take technical writing courses, seek feedback
Verbal Communication	Presenting findings to attorneys, supporting depositions, and potential testimony	Practice presenting complex analyses to non-technical audiences
Investigative Thinking	Approaching each case with curiosity and a systematic method for uncovering facts	Forensic accounting training, fraud examination coursework, CFE prep
Legal Process Knowledge	Understanding discovery, evidentiary standards, and trial procedures	On-the-job training, legal environment courses, working alongside attorneys

 

You do not need to be an expert in all of these on day one. Entry-level hires are expected to be strong in financial analysis and data work. Communication skills and legal process knowledge develop over time through case experience. The skills that matter in management consulting overlap significantly, especially structured thinking, data analysis, and client communication.

 

What Certifications Help in Litigation Consulting?

 

Certifications are not required to enter litigation consulting, but they can accelerate your career and boost your credibility, especially in forensic roles. According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, professionals with a CFE credential earn approximately 34% more than their non-certified peers.

 

Certification	Full Name	Best For	Key Benefit
CPA	Certified Public Accountant	Forensic accounting, financial statement analysis, audit-related disputes	Most widely recognized credential in forensic and litigation consulting
CFE	Certified Fraud Examiner	Fraud investigation, internal controls analysis, compliance reviews	Demonstrates specialized fraud investigation expertise
CFA	Chartered Financial Analyst	Securities litigation, valuation disputes, investment analysis	Strong signal in cases involving financial markets and investment disputes
ABV	Accredited in Business Valuation	M&A disputes, shareholder disagreements, fair value determinations	Specialized credential for valuation-focused engagements
CIRA	Certified Insolvency & Restructuring Advisor	Bankruptcy, restructuring, distressed asset litigation	Niche credential valued in corporate restructuring disputes

 

If you had to pick one, the CPA is the most versatile. It opens doors across forensic accounting, financial advisory, and Big Four litigation practices. The CFE is a strong complement if you want to specialize in fraud work.

 

How Do You Break into Litigation Consulting?

 

Breaking into litigation consulting is straightforward if you follow the right path. Unlike management consulting, which recruits heavily from MBA programs and elite undergrad schools, litigation consulting firms cast a wider net and value technical expertise over pedigree.

 

What Degree Do You Need?

 

You do not need a law degree to become a litigation consultant. Most professionals in the field hold degrees in accounting, finance, economics, or data science. A law degree can be helpful for trial consulting roles, but it is not a requirement for the majority of positions.

 

The best majors for consulting apply here too. Accounting and finance majors have the most direct path. Economics majors with strong quantitative skills are well positioned for economic consulting firms like Analysis Group and NERA. Data science and statistics graduates are increasingly in demand as firms handle larger and more complex datasets.

 

What Is the Step-by-Step Path?

 

Here is the typical six-step path into litigation consulting:

 

• Step 1: Earn a degree in accounting, finance, economics, or a related quantitative field. A master’s degree or MBA can help but is not required for entry-level roles.

 

• Step 2: Gain 1 to 3 years of experience in public accounting, auditing, financial analysis, or economic research. This builds the technical foundation that firms look for.

 

• Step 3: Develop proficiency in Excel, financial modeling, and at least one data analysis tool like Stata, Python, or Tableau.

 

• Step 4: Pursue a relevant certification such as CPA, CFE, or CFA. This is especially important if you want to work on forensic accounting or fraud investigation cases.

 

• Step 5: Build a portfolio of analytical writing that demonstrates your ability to explain complex financial concepts clearly. Expert reports and analytical memos are the core deliverables in this field.

 

• Step 6: Apply to litigation consulting firms, Big Four forensic practices, or economic consulting firms. Target firms from the table above that match your interests and background.

 

Can You Transition from Management Consulting?

 

Yes. If you are currently in management consulting and considering a career change, litigation consulting is a viable transition. The structured problem-solving skills, data analysis abilities, and client management experience you develop at firms like McKinsey, BCG, or Bain transfer directly.

 

The main gap is usually in financial accounting and legal process knowledge. You can fill these gaps through a CPA or CFE certification and on-the-job training at a litigation-focused firm. Several consultants I have worked with made this transition after 2 to 4 years at a management consulting firm.

 

Litigation consulting is also a common exit opportunity for management consultants who want to stay in professional services but move into a more specialized, less travel-heavy role.

 

How Does the Litigation Consulting Interview Process Work?

 

The litigation consulting interview process is different from the case interview format used by McKinsey, BCG, and Bain. While there is some overlap in testing analytical thinking, litigation consulting interviews focus more on technical skills, writing ability, and your understanding of legal and financial concepts.

 

The typical process includes 3 to 4 rounds:

 

• Resume screen and recruiter call: The recruiter will evaluate your academic background, relevant experience, and certifications. Having public accounting, audit, or financial analysis experience significantly strengthens your application.

 

• Behavioral interview: Similar to fit interviews at management consulting firms. Expect questions about teamwork, handling pressure, attention to detail, and why you are interested in litigation consulting specifically.

 

• Technical exercise or case study: This is the biggest differentiator. You may be given a set of financial statements and asked to identify irregularities, calculate damages, or build a simple economic model. At economic consulting firms like Analysis Group, you may face a quantitative problem set that tests statistical reasoning.

 

• Partner or senior manager interview: A conversation about your career goals, how you think about complex problems, and your understanding of the litigation consulting landscape. Partners want to see intellectual curiosity and clear communication.

 

Unlike MBB case interviews, you typically will not be asked to develop a business strategy framework on the spot. Instead, the emphasis is on demonstrating that you can work accurately with financial data, communicate clearly under pressure, and think critically about evidence.

 

Sample technical questions you might encounter:

 

• "Walk me through how you would calculate lost profits for a company that was forced out of a market by anticompetitive behavior."

 

• "Here is a set of financial statements. What stands out as unusual, and what would you investigate further?"

 

• "How would you determine the economic damages from a patent infringement case?"

 

Preparing for these technical questions is crucial. Practice reviewing financial statements, calculating basic damages metrics (lost profits, unjust enrichment, reasonable royalty), and explaining your analysis clearly.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Do You Need a Law Degree for Litigation Consulting?

 

No. Most litigation consultants hold degrees in accounting, finance, or economics. Attorneys handle legal arguments while consultants provide the analytical and technical support. A law degree can be helpful for trial consulting roles, but the majority of positions do not require one.

 

How Is Litigation Consulting Different from Management Consulting?

 

Management consulting advises companies on business strategy and operations. Litigation consulting supports legal teams during disputes by analyzing financial data, building damages models, and preparing expert testimony. The clients, work, and skill requirements are different. Litigation consulting tends to involve less travel but more deadline pressure tied to court schedules.

 

What Is Forensic and Litigation Consulting?

 

Forensic and litigation consulting is the branch of litigation consulting focused on financial investigation, fraud detection, damages analysis, and expert witness support. Firms like FTI Consulting, Deloitte, and Ankura are major players. Forensic consultants dig into financial records to uncover facts that support or challenge legal arguments.

 

Is Litigation Consulting a Good Career?

 

Yes. Litigation consulting offers strong compensation, intellectually stimulating work, and clear career progression. According to ZipRecruiter, the average litigation consulting salary in the U.S. is approximately $132,000, with senior professionals earning well over $200,000. The field is also growing as legal disputes become more complex and data driven.

 

Can You Become a Litigation Consultant Without a CPA?

 

Yes. A CPA is not required for all litigation consulting roles. It is most important for forensic accounting positions. If you are focused on economic modeling, trial consulting, or data analysis, other certifications like the CFA or CFE may be more relevant. Strong analytical skills and relevant work experience matter more than any single credential.

 

What Is the Work-Life Balance in Litigation Consulting?

 

Work-life balance varies by firm and case load. Litigation consulting generally involves less travel than management consulting. However, hours can spike significantly around court deadlines, expert report filing dates, and trial preparation periods. On average, expect 45 to 55 hours per week with occasional surges to 60 to 70 hours during peak periods.

 

Everything You Need to Land a Consulting Offer

 

Need help passing your interviews?

• Case Interview Course: Become a top 10% case interview candidate in 7 days while saving yourself 100+ hours
  
  
• Fit Interview Course: Master 98% of consulting fit interview questions in a few hours
  
  
• Interview Coaching: Accelerate your prep with 1-on-1 coaching with Taylor Warfield, former Bain interviewer and best-selling author

  

Need help landing interviews?

• Resume Review & Editing: Craft the perfect resume with unlimited revisions and 24-hour turnaround

 

Need help with everything?

• Consulting Offer Program: Go from zero to offer-ready with a complete system

 

Not sure where to start?

• Free 40-Minute Training: Triple your chances of landing consulting interviews and 8x your chances of passing them