Development Specialists, Inc. (DSI)
Long-established restructuring and financial advisory firm providing turnaround, fiduciary, forensic and litigation-support services.
- Highest 2026 tier: Tier II
- Management consulting and financial advisory firm
- Restructuring & Special Situations Advisory
Overview
Development Specialists, Inc., operating as DSI Consulting, was founded in 1977. It advises business owners, boards, lenders, bondholders, unsecured creditors and creditor committees.
The firm’s services span turnaround consulting, financial restructuring, corporate finance, forensic accounting, litigation support, third-party fiduciary appointments and wind-down or recovery situations.
Development Specialists, Inc. (DSI) is included in one 2026 Advisory Ranking category. The highest recorded classification is Tier II.
Firm facts
| Legal name | Development Specialists, Inc. |
| Founded | 1977 |
| Firm type | Management consulting and financial advisory firm |
| Principal offices | Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Columbus, Wilmington, London |
| Primary focus | Restructuring, fiduciary and forensic services |
| Founder and executive chairman | William A. Brandt Jr. |
| Highest 2026 Advisory Ranking tier | Tier II |
Principal activities
Restructuring advisory
Turnaround plans, financial restructuring and stakeholder support.
Third-party fiduciary services
Trustee, receiver, assignee and other independent fiduciary roles.
Forensic and litigation support
Accounting investigation, damages analysis and expert testimony.
Development Specialists, Inc. (DSI) works with clients on assignments that may combine strategy, specialist analysis, implementation support and organizational adoption. The precise scope depends on the mandate, sector, geography and client requirements.
Sector and mandate coverage
Sector coverage
- Consumer and retail
- Industrials
- Financial services
- Real estate
- Healthcare
- Technology
Mandate types
- Turnaround consulting
- Financial restructuring
- Liquidating trustee roles
- Receiverships
- Forensic accounting
- Litigation support
Market position
Development Specialists, Inc. (DSI) is positioned as a management consulting and financial advisory firm. Its market position reflects the combination of advisory scope, senior involvement, stakeholder credibility, restructuring experience and ability to support implementation.
Distinctive focus: Deep restructuring heritage with the ability to serve in both advisory and court- or stakeholder-appointed fiduciary roles.
Competitive context
Development Specialists, Inc. (DSI) competes with restructuring boutiques, investment-banking advisers, turnaround consultants and multidisciplinary expert-services firms. The relevant peer set changes according to mandate size, stakeholder side, industry, geography and whether the work requires operating leadership, regulated securities activity or formal fiduciary appointments.
Comparable firms are selected according to overlap in business model, client segment, service coverage, geographic activity and mandate profile. Inclusion does not imply equivalence in scale, ranking or market position.
Leadership
| Person | Current position | Institutional background |
|---|---|---|
| William A. Brandt Jr. | Founder and Executive Chairman | Restructuring, fiduciary and crisis-management leadership |
Leadership information reflects the public sources reviewed for this profile. View the firm’s website ↗
Corporate and regulatory information
DSI Consulting provides management consulting, financial advisory, forensic and fiduciary services. Legal and regulatory requirements depend on the role, court appointment and jurisdiction.
View registered-entity details
| Registered entity | Development Specialists, Inc. |
| Operating brand | DSI Consulting |
| Regulatory status | Role- and jurisdiction-specific |
| Primary jurisdiction | United States |
Principal offices
- Chicago
- New York
- San Francisco
- Los Angeles
- Miami/Fort Lauderdale
- Columbus
- Wilmington
- London
Rankings and recognition
Ranking inclusion is editorially determined. The existence or maintenance of a Wiki profile does not influence ranking eligibility, tier or position.
Related Economy analysis
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Related institutions and subjects
Sources and data transparency
The profile is based on the following publicly available institutional, regulatory and editorial sources:
- DSI Consulting — history, services, clients and offices.
- Restructuring Advisory Services — restructuring capabilities.
- Professionals — current team.
- Advisory Ranking — Top 30 Restructuring & Special Situations Advisory 2026 — inclusion and tier classification.
