Huron Consulting Group Announces Definitive Agreement to Divest Huron Legal Business

글로벌 빅컨설팅펌인 Huron컨설팅이 그동안 유지하던 Legal Business를 eDiscovery 전문회사에 넘겼네요.

컨설팅 회사들의 고전이 예견되어 있었지만 2016년 새해벽두부터 이런 움직임이 심상치가 않네요.

곧 빅4의 모든 eDiscovery와 Forensic Practice가 사라질 것으로 봅니다.

http://ir.huronconsultinggroup.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=180006&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2121878

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 10, 2015-- Huron Consulting Group Inc. (NASDAQ: HURN), a leading provider of business consulting services, today announced a definitive agreement to divest its Huron Legal practice to Consilio, Inc., a global leader in eDiscovery and document review services, for minimum gross proceeds of $112 million in cash upon closing, plus a cash post-closing payment contingent upon final full year 2015 financial results and subject to certain other adjustments set forth in the agreement. The sale is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2015 following the satisfaction of regulatory requirements and other customary closing conditions. In connection with the anticipated sale, Huron’s board of directors has increased the Company’s current share repurchase authorization to $125 million inclusive of the $36.5 million remaining on the existing share repurchase authorization.

“With its highly experienced team and exceptional focus on client service, Huron Legal has achieved a leading reputation in the industry,” said James H. Roth, president and chief executive officer, Huron Consulting Group. “Combining Consilio’s global focus and Huron Legal’s strong domestic presence will provide the scale and expertise necessary to support the complex issues facing corporate law departments and law firms around the world. We have tremendous respect for the Consilio team, and we believe the combined business will provide a compelling set of offerings to meet the needs of its multinational clients and users of complex legal services.”

“Huron Legal provides a highly complementary platform to our business in terms of both service line and geographic presence, but, more importantly, shares our commitment to delivering high-value, quality service to clients,” added Andy Macdonald, chief executive officer of Consilio. “We are excited to have Huron Legal join the Consilio team.”

After the close of the transaction, Huron will concentrate its resources and investments in the Company’s Healthcare, Education and Life Sciences and Business Advisory segments to drive future growth and generate long-term value for its shareholders.

“As Huron looks to the future, we remain excited by the dynamic markets we serve, our incredible team of professionals, and our ability to enhance our focus and resources to accelerate growth within our businesses,” continued Roth.