Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME	$ 62,646us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 85,429us-gaap_ProfitLoss
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX:
Currency translation adjustments	(34,133)	5,913
Employee benefit plans:
Actuarial gain (loss) (net of tax benefit (expense) of $(115) and $50 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively)	219	(557)
Adjustment for items reclassified to earnings (net of tax expense of $563 and $532 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively)	1,186	1,289
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX	(32,728)	6,645
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	29,918	92,074
LESS - COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	6,693	4,611
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO LAZARD LTD	$ 23,225us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ 87,463us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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