To celebrate StoneTurn’s 20th Anniversary, we’re spotlighting our people. Meet Atanu Saha, Partner in Los Angeles.

In this Q&A, Atanu discusses what makes StoneTurn a unique place to work, the skills professional need to success in economics and litigation consulting, and what the future of the consulting industry holds.

Culture –

What is your favorite part of working with StoneTurn?

A genuine sense of kinship.  To me StoneTurn is like a large boat, and we each have oars of different shapes and colors, but we are all rowing together.

What does entrepreneurship at StoneTurn mean to you?

StoneTurn’s entrepreneurial culture fosters independence to pursue what’s good for the practice and the firm: it’s a combination of autonomy and trust.

Business –

How has economics and your practice evolved as a critical part of business success over the last 20 years?

Litigation consulting in general and economics practice in particular have become far more rigorous, with a high degree of dependence on empirical data and analysis.  Gone are the days when an expert could take the stand and opine on issues without much analysis to support the opinions simply because s/he is an expert in the field.  In large part because of this, high-quality, well-thought-out expert analysis has become my most valuable business development tool.

What are the critical skills for someone who wants to succeed in a career in expert testimony and reports?

When it comes to the core skills for expert testifiers, there are two seemingly contradictory traits: attention to the detail and being able to see the big picture. One needs both a microscope and a telescope!  Being able to articulate what you see through them is equally important.

Predictions for the Future –

Where do you hope to see the consulting industry in the next 5 years?

There will likely be more work, and thus revenue, for firms with a reputation for providing high quality work. This should lead to further consolidation and concentration within the industry.  It is also possible that some firms will emerge as clear leaders within sub-practice areas such as antitrust, securities finance, intellectual property, among other specialties.

If you have any questions or would like to find out more about these topics, please reach out to Atanu Saha.

To receive StoneTurn Insights, sign up for our newsletter.