Exhibit 99.1

For Immediate Release

Contacts: For investors:
Investor Relations: Stephen Giusto, (310) 843-4144
Gregg Kvochak, (310) 556-8550
For Media: Mike Distefano, (310) 843-4199

Korn/Ferry International Announces Second Quarter Fiscal 2009 Earnings

Highlights

	•		Second quarter fiscal 2009 diluted earnings per share was $0.30 compared to $0.37 in Q2’08.
	•		Second quarter fiscal 2009 fee revenue was $189.3 million, compared to $195.9 million in the same quarter last year.

Los Angeles, CA, December 10, 2008 - Korn/Ferry International (NYSE:KFY), a premier global provider of talent management solutions, announced second quarter fiscal 2009 diluted earnings per share of $0.30 compared to $0.37 in Q2’08.

“Given the difficult economic environment, we are relatively pleased with our results for the second quarter,” said Gary D. Burnison, CEO, Korn/Ferry. “However, recently the climate has grown increasingly challenging for our clients. Thanks to the breadth of our offerings we are well positioned to help them manage their human capital strategies through this downturn. Fortunately, we are navigating from a position of strength with $280 million of cash and marketable securities on our balance sheet, no debt, a globally recognized brand and a team of leading colleagues around the world. We plan to maneuver through this volatility seizing opportunity and taking market share.”

Financial Results
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

		Second Quarter								Year to date
		Q2’09				Q2’08				Q2’09				Q2’08
Fee Revenue		$	189.3			$	195.9			$	395.0			$	381.2
Revenue		$	199.7			$	206.8			$	417.2			$	403.1
Operating Income		$	21.5			$	25.4			$	45.2			$	50.5
Operating Margin			11.4	%			13.0	%			11.5	%			13.2	%
Net Income		$	13.6			$	17.1			$	29.5			$	34.2
Basic Earnings Per Share		$	0.31			$	0.38			$	0.68			$	0.76
Diluted Earnings Per Share		$	0.30			$	0.37			$	0.66			$	0.74

Fee revenue was $189.3 million in Q2’09 compared to $195.9 million in Q2’08, a decrease of 3.4%. Fee revenue declined due to a decrease in executive search revenues in all geographies offset by an increase in Futurestep revenues. The global economic and financial crisis resulted in a decline in the number of executive search engagements opened compared to a year ago and the average fee billed per executive search engagement decreased by 4.5% compared to the prior year. Changes in exchange rates impacted fee revenue in Q2’09 unfavorably by $1.3 million from Q2’08 and excluding this unfavorable impact revenues decreased 2.7% over the prior year’s second quarter.

Compensation and benefits were $129.7 million in Q2’09, a decrease of $0.7 million compared to $130.4 million in Q2’08. The decrease is primarily attributable to a reduction in profitability based compensation.

General and administrative expenses were $32.3 million in Q2’09, a decrease of $1.9 million, or 5.6% from $34.2 million in Q2’08. The decrease is primarily attributable to cost reduction efforts and realized gains on foreign exchange transactions.

Operating income was $21.5 million in Q2’09 compared to $25.4 million in Q2’08, a decrease of $3.9 million over Q2’08.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $279.8 million at October 31, 2008 compared to $242.0 million at October 31, 2007. The increase was due primarily to an increase in cash provided by operating activities offset by company stock repurchases.

Interest expense was $1.1 million in Q2’09 and $1.2 million in the same period last year. Interest expense in both years related primarily to borrowings under Korn/Ferry’s COLI policies. At October 31, 2008, Korn/Ferry had no outstanding borrowings under its credit facility.

Results by Segment

Selected Executive Recruitment Data
(dollars in millions)

		Second Quarter								Year to date
		Q2’09				Q2’08				Q2’09				Q2’08
Fee Revenue		$	160.2			$	169.1			$	334.8			$	328.8
Revenue		$	167.8			$	176.5			$	350.7			$	343.1
Operating Income		$	26.6			$	33.0			$	58.3			$	65.6
Operating Margin			16.6	%			19.5	%			17.4	%			20.0	%
Average number of consultants			536				519				529				507
Engagements (a)			1,669				1,879				3,589				3,653

Fee revenue was $160.2 million in Q2’09, a decrease of $8.9 million from $169.1 million in Q2’08. Fee revenue decreased in all regions due to a decrease in the overall number of engagements billed offset by an overall increase in the average fee per engagement. Changes in exchange rates from Q2’08 impacted fee revenue in Q2’09 unfavorably by $0.9 million.

Operating income was $26.6 million in Q2’09 compared to $33.0 million in Q2’08 resulting in a decrease of $6.4 million from the prior year.

The total number of consultants at October 31, 2008 was 535, an increase of 12 from October 31, 2007.

Selected Futurestep Data
(dollars in millions)

		Second Quarter								Year to date
		Q2’09				Q2’08				Q2’09				Q2’08
Fee Revenue		$	29.1			$	26.8			$	60.3			$	52.4
Revenue		$	31.9			$	30.4			$	66.5			$	60.0
Operating Income		$	1.2			$	1.5			$	4.1			$	3.6
Operating Margin			4.2	%			5.7	%			6.8	%			6.9	%

Fee revenue was $29.1 million in Q2’09, an increase of $2.3 million, or 8.9%, from $26.8 million in Q2’08. Improvements in fee revenue were driven by an increase in the number of engagements billed, offset by a slight decrease in the average fee per engagement. Changes in exchange rates from Q2’08 impacted fee revenue in Q2’09 unfavorably by $0.4 million.

Operating income was $1.2 million in Q2’09 compared to $1.5 million in Q2’08.

Outlook

Assuming constant foreign exchange rates, Korn/Ferry estimates that third quarter fiscal 2009 fee revenue is likely to be in the range of $140 million to $160 million and diluted earnings per share is likely to be in the range of $0.08 to $0.18, prior to approximately $11 million to $15 million in expenses related to rationalizing the cost structure to the current economic environment. However, due to the current extraordinary economic conditions, the ability to predict new business is more difficult than normal. If new business deteriorates, the Company’s results may be below the guidance provided above.

Earnings Conference Call Webcast

The earnings conference call will be held today at 9:00 AM (EST) and hosted by Gary Burnison, Chief Executive Officer, and Stephen Giusto, Chief Financial Officer. The conference call will be webcast and available online at www.kornferry.com, accessible through the Investor Relations section.

— Korn/Ferry International (NYSE:KFY), with more than 90 offices in 39 countries, is a premier global provider of talent management solutions. Based in Los Angeles, the firm delivers an array of solutions that help clients to identify, deploy, develop, retain and reward their talent. For more information on the Korn/Ferry International family of companies, visit www.kornferry.com.

Statements in this press release and our conference call that relate to future results and events (“forward-looking statements”) are based on Korn/Ferry’s current expectations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. Actual results in future periods may differ materially from those currently expected or desired because of a number of risks and uncertainties that are beyond the control of Korn/Ferry. The potential risks and uncertainties relate to competition, the dependence on attracting and retaining qualified and experienced consultants, the portability of client relationships, local political or economic developments in or affecting countries where we have operations, including fluctuations in exchange rates, risks related to the growth and results of Futurestep, global economic developments, restrictions imposed by off-limits agreements, reliance on information systems and employment liability risk. For a detailed description of risks and uncertainties that could cause differences, please refer to Korn/Ferry’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Korn/Ferry disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

[Tables attached]

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

		Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
		October 31,								October 31,
		2008				2007				2008				2007
		(unaudited)				(unaudited)
Fee revenue		$	189,300			$	195,857			$	395,033			$	381,210
Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expenses			10,437				10,967				22,176				21,891
Total revenue			199,737				206,824				417,209				403,101
Compensation and benefits			129,748				130,404				271,871				253,390
General and administrative expense			32,323				34,212				66,353				65,913
Out-of-pocket engagement expenses			13,297				14,287				28,030				28,414
Depreciation and amortization			2,881				2,539				5,713				4,889
Total operating expense			178,249				181,442				371,967				352,606
Operating income			21,488				25,382				45,242				50,495
Interest and other income, net			(1,184	)			799				(804	)			2,297
Income before provision for income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries			20,304				26,181				44,438				52,792
Provision for income taxes			7,583				9,966				16,876				20,400
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net			839				894				1,902				1,817
Net income		$	13,560			$	17,109			$	29,464			$	34,209
Basic earnings per common share		$	0.31			$	0.38			$	0.68			$	0.76
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding			43,776				44,529				43,604				44,785
Diluted earnings per common share		$	0.30			$	0.37			$	0.66			$	0.74
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding			44,676				45,841				44,590				46,573

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

		As of				As of
		October 31, 2008				April 30, 2008
		(unaudited)
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		$	199,228			$	305,296
Marketable securities			2,377				5,940
Receivables due from clients, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $11,937 and $11,504, respectively			125,453				119,952
Income taxes and other receivables			5,753				7,071
Deferred income taxes			9,714				10,401
Prepaid expenses			24,316				20,057
Total current assets			366,841				468,717
Marketable securities, non-current			78,237				78,026
Property and equipment, net			31,504				32,462
Cash surrender value of company owned life insurance policies, net of loans			77,753				81,377
Deferred income taxes			42,258				47,128
Goodwill			124,228				142,699
Intangible assets, net			15,243				15,519
Other assets			15,643				14,286
Total assets		$	751,707			$	880,214
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts payable		$	10,550			$	15,309
Income taxes payable			9,270				20,948
Compensation and benefits payable			112,872				199,081
Other accrued liabilities			32,565				37,120
Total current liabilities			165,257				272,458
Deferred compensation and other retirement plans			101,490				105,719
Other liabilities			4,963				5,903
Total liabilities			271,710				384,080
Shareholders’ equity
Common stock: $0.01 par value, 150,000 shares authorized, 56,077 and 54,786 shares issued and 44,734 and 44,593 shares outstanding, respectively			361,938				358,568
Retained earnings			124,478				95,014
Accumulated other comprehensive income			(5,877	)			43,097
Shareholders’ equity			480,539				496,679
Less: Notes receivable from shareholders			(542	)			(545	)
Total shareholders’ equity			479,997				496,134
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	751,707			$	880,214

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL SUMMARY BY SEGMENT
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

		Three Months Ended																Six Months Ended
		October 31,																October 31,
		2008								2007								2008								2007
Fee Revenue:
Executive recruitment:
North America		$	91,697							$	94,862							$	185,671							$	182,176
EMEA			40,486								42,058								92,076								86,780
Asia Pacific			21,187								24,656								42,590								47,317
South America			6,828								7,497								14,413								12,567
Total executive recruitment			160,198								169,073								334,750								328,840
Futurestep			29,102								26,784								60,283								52,370
Total fee revenue			189,300								195,857								395,033								381,210
Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expenses			10,437								10,967								22,176								21,891
Total revenue		$	199,737							$	206,824							$	417,209							$	403,101

						Margin								Margin								Margin								Margin
Operating Income (Loss):
Executive recruitment:
North America		$	16,197				17.7	%		$	21,388				22.5	%		$	34,834				18.8	%		$	41,179				22.6	%
EMEA			5,910				14.6	%			6,064				14.4	%			14,396				15.6	%			13,755				15.9	%
Asia Pacific			3,267				15.4	%			4,614				18.7	%			6,743				15.8	%			9,151				19.3	%
South America			1,214				17.8	%			884				11.8	%			2,294				15.9	%			1,545				12.3	%
Total executive recruitment			26,588				16.6	%			32,950				19.5	%			58,267				17.4	%			65,630				20.0	%
Futurestep			1,221				4.2	%			1,532				5.7	%			4,076				6.8	%			3,616				6.9	%
Corporate			(6,321	)							(9,100	)							(17,101	)							(18,751	)
Total operating income		$	21,488				11.4	%		$	25,382				13.0	%		$	45,242				11.5	%		$	50,495				13.2	%