FTI’s $21 Million Verdict Against Former Consultants Thrown Out

Three Berkeley Research Group employees escaped a $21 million judgment Thursday after a jury found they breached their employment contract with their former firm, FTI Consulting Inc.

The Massachusetts Appeals Court tossed the verdict, which also included a $30 million payout to FTI from BRG.

They reversed the judgment against BRG finding it violated the state’s consumer protection law in aiding the consultants to breach their fiduciary duties, while the consultants violated noncompete provisions in their contracts. The trial court issued an erroneous jury instruction and mistakenly held the firm liable in Massachusetts for conduct that primarily occurred out of ...