EX-5.2 5 dex52.htm OPINION OF BAKER BOTTS LLP Opinion of Baker Botts LLP

Exhibit 5.2

[Letterhead of Baker Botts LLP]

 

November 15, 2005

 

FTI Consulting, Inc.

900 Bestgate Road, Suite 100

Annapolis, Maryland 21401

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

As set forth in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed by FTI Consulting, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), Technology & Financial Consulting, Inc., a Texas corporation and a subsidiary of the Company (the “Texas Guarantor”), and certain other subsidiaries of the Company (the “Non-Texas Guarantors” and, together with the Texas Guarantor, the “Guarantors”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to the issuance by the Company of $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2013 (the “New Notes”) and the issuance by the Guarantors of guarantees (the “Guarantees”) with respect to the New Notes, we are passing upon certain legal matters in connection with the Guarantee of the Texas Guarantor (the “Texas Guarantee”). The New Notes and the Guarantees are to be offered by the Company and the Guarantors, respectively, in exchange (the “Exchange Offer”) for a like aggregate principal amount of the Company’s issued and outstanding 7 5/8% Senior Notes Due 2013 (the “Old Notes”) and related guarantees. The New Notes and the Guarantees are being issued under an Indenture dated as of August 2, 2005 (the “Indenture”) among the Company, the Guarantors and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee. At your request, this opinion is being furnished to you for filing as Exhibit 5.2 to the Registration Statement.

 

In our capacity as special counsel to the Texas Guarantor in the connection referred to above, we have examined the Registration Statement, the Indenture (including the Texas Guarantee set forth therein) and the form of the New Notes, each of which will be filed with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We have also examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified, of (i) the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Texas Guarantor, each as amended to date, (ii) corporate records of the Texas Guarantor and the Company, including resolutions and written consents of the Boards of Directors of the Texas Guarantor and the Company as furnished to us, (iii) certificates of public officials and of representatives of the Texas Guarantor, and (iv) statutes and other instruments and documents as a basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed. In giving the opinions set forth below, we have relied upon certificates of officers or other representatives of the Texas Guarantor with respect to the accuracy of the factual matters contained in such certificates.

 

In making our examination, we have assumed that all signatures on documents examined by us are genuine, all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic and complete and all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform to the originals thereof. We have further assumed, with your consent, that (i) the Company and the Non-Texas Guarantors have duly authorized, executed and delivered the Indenture and the Old Notes, as applicable, under the laws of their respective jurisdictions of incorporation or organization, (ii) the execution, delivery and performance by the Company and the Non-Texas Guarantors of the Indenture and the Old Notes, as applicable, do not and will not violate the laws of their respective jurisdictions of incorporation or organization, and (iii) the form of the New Notes will conform to that included in the Indenture.

 

On the basis of the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth herein, we are of the opinion that when (i) the Registration Statement has become effective under the Securities Act and the Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and (ii) the New Notes have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and the terms of the Exchange Offer as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Texas Guarantee will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Texas Guarantor enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.


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BAKER BOTTS LLP

FTI Consulting, Inc.

November 15, 2005

 

Our opinion set forth above is subject to the effects of (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity and public policy (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Furthermore, the opinion set forth above is based on and limited in all respects to matters of the law of the State of Texas as currently in effect.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as Exhibit 5.2 to the Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our Firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/    BAKER BOTTS LLP