COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Leases

The Company leases facilities and equipment under operating leases that expire at various dates through 2027. Some of the operating leases provide for increasing rents over the term of the lease. Total rent expense under these leases is recognized ratably over the lease terms. As of December 31, 2011, future minimum lease commitments under non-cancelable operating leases, which will be expensed as direct costs (for contractor project space) and office and general expenses, were as follows:

2012	$	26,819
2013		22,432
2014		18,591
2015		15,592
2016		13,426
Thereafter		31,254
	$	128,114

Rent and related expenses for operating leases of facilities and equipment recorded under the caption “Office and general” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations were $20,193, $19,285, and $21,397 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively. Commitments based in currencies other than U.S. dollars were translated using exchange rates as of December 31, 2011.

The Company has certain asset retirement obligations that are primarily the result of legal obligations for the removal of leasehold improvements and restoration of premises to their original condition upon termination of leases. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, $2,808 and $2,825, respectively, of asset retirement obligations were included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, of which $2,507 and $2,627, respectively, were included under the caption other non-current liabilities.

Consulting, Employment and Non-compete Agreements

The Company has entered into various consulting, employment and non-compete agreements with certain key management personnel and former owners of acquired businesses. Agreements with key members of management are generally one year in length, on an at-will basis, provide for compensation and severance payments under certain circumstances and are automatically renewed annually unless either party gives sufficient notice of termination. Agreements with certain consultants and former owners of acquired businesses are generally two to five years in length.

Litigation and Complaints

The Company is subject, from time to time, to various claims, lawsuits, and other complaints from, for example, clients, candidates, suppliers, landlords, regulators or tax authorities arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company routinely monitors claims such as these, and records provisions for losses when the claim becomes probable and the amount due is estimable. Although the outcome of these claims cannot be determined, the Company believes that the final resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

For matters that have reached the threshold of probable and estimable, the Company has established reserves for legal, regulatory and other contingent liabilities. The Company’s reserves were not significant as of December 31, 2011 and 2010.

Matters Under Appeal

The Company has an appeal underway with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania regarding income tax. All appeals in Pennsylvania carry statutory automatic liens in the amount of the matter. The lien is $3,508 on the U.S. operating company for which the Company has posted a security bond amounting to 120 percent of the lien. The Company does not expect this bond to be drawn.