<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0000912057-01-525553
<TYPE>S-8
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>3
<FILING-DATE>20010727
<EFFECTIVENESS-DATE>20010727
<FILER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>HALF ROBERT INTERNATIONAL INC /DE/
<CIK>0000315213
<ASSIGNED-SIC>7363
<IRS-NUMBER>941648752
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>DE
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
</COMPANY-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>S-8
<ACT>33
<FILE-NUMBER>333-66038
<FILM-NUMBER>1690801
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>2884 SAND HILL RD
<STREET2>STE 200
<CITY>MENLO PARK
<STATE>CA
<ZIP>94025
<PHONE>6502346000
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>2884 SAND HILL ROAD
<STREET2>STE 200
<CITY>MENLO PARK
<STATE>CA
<ZIP>94025
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
<FORMER-COMPANY>
<FORMER-CONFORMED-NAME>BOOTHE FINANCIAL CORP /DE/
<DATE-CHANGED>19870721
</FORMER-COMPANY>
<FORMER-COMPANY>
<FORMER-CONFORMED-NAME>BOOTHE INTERIM CORP
<DATE-CHANGED>19600201
</FORMER-COMPANY>
</FILER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>S-8
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a2054512zs-8.htm
<DESCRIPTION>S-8
<TEXT>

<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE> Prepared by MERRILL CORPORATION
</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" LINK=BLUE  VLINK=PURPLE>
<BR>
<FONT SIZE=3 ><A HREF="#01PAL2130_1">QuickLinks</A></FONT>
<font size=3> -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document</font>
<P ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><B>REGISTRATION NO. 333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </B></FONT></P>

<HR NOSHADE>
<HR NOSHADE>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>FORM S-8<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933  </B></FONT></P>

<HR NOSHADE ALIGN="CENTER" WIDTH="120">
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC.<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Delaware</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><B>94-1648752</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>(State or other jurisdiction of<BR>
incorporation or organization)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><BR><FONT SIZE=2><B>2884 Sand Hill Road, Suite 200,<BR>
Menlo Park, California</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B><BR>
94025</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>(Zip Code)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>STOCK OPTION PLAN FOR FIELD EMPLOYEES  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>(Full title of the plan) </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Steven Karel<BR>
Vice President and General Counsel<BR>
Robert Half International Inc.<BR>
2884 Sand Hill Road, Suite 200<BR>
Menlo Park, California 94025<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Name and address of agent for service) </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>(650) 234-6000  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>(Telephone number of agent for service) </FONT></P>

<HR NOSHADE ALIGN="CENTER" WIDTH="120">
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE  </B></FONT></P>

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<TD COLSPAN=9 VALIGN="BOTTOM"><BR><HR NOSHADE></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#CCEEFF" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="31%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title of Securities<BR>
to be Registered</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount to<BR>
be Registered</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed<BR>
Maximum<BR>
Offering Price<BR>
Per Unit</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed<BR>
Maximum<BR>
Aggregate<BR>
Offering Price</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount of<BR>
Registration<BR>
Fee</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD COLSPAN=9 VALIGN="BOTTOM"><HR NOSHADE></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="White" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="31%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>Common Stock</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>750,000 Shares</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>$25.26</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>$18,945,000</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>$4,736.25</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD COLSPAN=9 VALIGN="BOTTOM"><HR NOSHADE></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<DL compact>
<DT><FONT SIZE=2>(a)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Determined
in accordance with Rule&nbsp;457(h)&nbsp;under the Securities Act of 1933, based upon the high and low sales prices of the registrant's Common Stock on the New York
Stock Exchange on July&nbsp;24, 2001. </FONT></DD></DL>
<BR>
<HR NOSHADE>
<HR NOSHADE>
<HR NOSHADE>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de2130_part_i"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de2130_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>PART I    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The information required by the Note to Part I of Form&nbsp;S-8 to be sent or given to employees as specified by Rule&nbsp;428(b)(1)&nbsp;has not been
included with this filing in accordance with such Note. </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de2130_part_ii"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de2130_2"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>PART II    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
following documents are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement: </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;The
Company's latest Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K; </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;All
other reports filed by the Company pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a)&nbsp;or 15(d)&nbsp;of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the "Exchange
Act") since the end of the fiscal year covered by the Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K referred to in (a)&nbsp;above; </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;The
description of the Company's Common Stock contained in a registration statement filed under the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the
purpose of updating such description. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All
documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d)&nbsp;of the Exchange Act shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and
to be a part hereof from the
date of filing (except that no documents shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference if filed after the filing of a post-effective amendment which deregisters securities then remaining unsold). </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes a corporation to indemnify its directors and officers under the terms and circumstances
described therein. The Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company provides that each director, officer and employee of the Company shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to
the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law against all expenses, liabilities and losses incurred or suffered by such individual in his capacity as director, officer or
employee. The right to indemnification contained in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation includes the right, subject to the conditions contained therein, to be reimbursed for expenses in advance
of the final disposition of any action, suit or proceeding. The Registrant has entered into Indemnification Agreements with each of its directors and certain executive officers (the form of which
Indemnification Agreements was approved by the Company's stockholders in May 1989) that provide, among other things, for (a) indemnification, under the terms and circumstances described in the
Indemnification Agreements, to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law, against any and all expenses and liabilities resulting from service with the Company and (b)&nbsp;advancement to
the individual of expenses reasonably incurred in connection with any threatened or actual action, suit or proceeding in which such individual is involved by reason of having been a director, officer,
or employee. The Company has insured its directors and officers against certain liabilities and has insurance against certain payments which it may be obligated to make to such persons pursuant to the
indemnification provisions of its Restated Certificate of Incorporation or pursuant to the Indemnification Agreements described above. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable. </FONT></P>

<HR NOSHADE>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.  </B></FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Number<BR> </B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="88%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Exhibit</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>5</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2>Opinion of Counsel</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of Counsel (contained in Exhibit 5)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS.  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: </FONT></P>

<UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;To
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: </FONT></P>

<UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i)&nbsp;To
include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3)&nbsp;of the Securities Act of 1933 (unless the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by this paragraph is contained in
periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this registration
statement); </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii)&nbsp;To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement (unless the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by this paragraph is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section&nbsp;15(d)&nbsp;of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement); </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii)&nbsp;To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement. </FONT></P>

</UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;That,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;To
remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. </FONT></P>

</UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's
annual report pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a)&nbsp;or Section&nbsp;15(d)&nbsp;of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the provisions described herein, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than payment by the registrant
of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court
of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue. </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="jc2130_signatures"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_jc2130_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>SIGNATURES    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form&nbsp;S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Menlo Park, State of
California, on July&nbsp;27, 2001. </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="47%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN=2><FONT SIZE=2>ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC<BR></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2>(REGISTRANT)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="47%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
By:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="46%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>M. KEITH WADDELL</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> M. Keith Waddell<BR></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2><I>Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting
Officer)</I></FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Harold M. Messmer, Jr. and M.
Keith Waddell, jointly and severally, his attorney-in-fact, each with full power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this registration statement, and to file
the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or
his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons and in the capacities and on the dates
indicated. </FONT></P>

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<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TH WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Name</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="41%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Date</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="41%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>HAROLD M. MESSMER, JR.</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Harold M. Messmer, Jr.</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="41%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a Director (Principal Executive Officer)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>July&nbsp;27, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>ANDREW S. BERWICK, JR.</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Andrew S. Berwick, Jr.</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="41%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
July&nbsp;27, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>FREDERICK P. FURTH</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Frederick P. Furth</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="41%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
July&nbsp;27, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>EDWARD W. GIBBONS</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Edward W. Gibbons</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="41%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
July&nbsp;27, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>THOMAS J. RYAN</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Thomas J. Ryan</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="41%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
July&nbsp;27, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>J. STEPHEN SCHAUB</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> J. Stephen Schaub</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="41%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
July&nbsp;27, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>M. KEITH WADDELL</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> M. Keith Waddell</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="41%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Vice Chairman, Chief Financial Officer and Director (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
July&nbsp;27, 2001</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="ka2130_index_to_exhibits"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_ka2130_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>INDEX TO EXHIBITS    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="9%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Number<BR> </B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
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<TH WIDTH="69%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Exhibit</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Sequentially<BR>
Numbered Page</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#CCEEFF" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="9%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>5</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="69%"><FONT SIZE=2>Opinion of Counsel</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="9%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.1</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="69%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="17%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="9%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="69%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of Counsel (contained in Exhibit 5)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<BR>
<P><br><A NAME="01PAL2130_1">QuickLinks</A><br></P><!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de2130_1">PART I</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de2130_2">PART II</A></FONT><BR>
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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_jc2130_1">SIGNATURES</A></FONT><BR>
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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ka2130_1">INDEX TO EXHIBITS</A></FONT><BR>
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<TYPE>EX-5
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>a2054512zex-5.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EX-5
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<P ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><B>EXHIBIT 5  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>July&nbsp;27,
2001 </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>Board
of Directors<BR>
Robert Half International Inc.<BR>
2884 Sand Hill Road<BR>
Suite 200<BR>
Menlo Park, CA 94025 </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>Dear
Sirs: </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I
have reviewed the Stock Option Plan for Field Employees of Robert Half International Inc. in connection with the filing of a Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 for the
registration of 750,000 additional shares to be offered and sold thereunder. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It
is my opinion that newly issued shares, when offered and sold pursuant to the terms of such plan for not less than their par value, will be legally issued, fully paid and
non-assessable. I express no opinion regarding treasury shares. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I
consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit&nbsp;to the Registration Statement. </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="49%"><FONT SIZE=2>Very truly yours,</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="49%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/ </FONT><FONT SIZE=2>EVELYN CRANE-OLIVER</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2>Evelyn Crane-Oliver<BR></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2><I>Corporate Counsel</I></FONT></TD>
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<TYPE>EX-23.1
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<FILENAME>a2054512zex-23_1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EX-23.1
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<P ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><B>EXHIBIT 23.1  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="kg2130_consent_of_independent_public_accountants"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_kg2130_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of our report dated January&nbsp;19,
2001, included in Robert Half International Inc.'s Form&nbsp;10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 2000, and to all references to our firm included in this Registration Statement and in the
Prospectus. </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="49%"><FONT SIZE=2>/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="49%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
San Francisco, California<BR>
July&nbsp;27, 2001</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_kg2130_1">CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS</A></FONT><BR>
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