Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
REVENUE
Investment banking and other advisory fees	$ 1,298,364	$ 1,276,096	$ 1,201,424
Asset management fees	998,887	1,036,821	1,080,842
Interest income	5,233	5,286	5,360
Other	81,179	86,564	75,391
Total revenue	2,383,663	2,404,767	2,363,017
Interest expense	50,292	51,159	62,570
Net revenue	2,333,371	2,353,608	2,300,447
OPERATING EXPENSES
Compensation and benefits	1,340,543	1,319,746	1,313,606
Occupancy and equipment	109,305	109,867	111,550
Marketing and business development	83,202	81,541	88,029
Technology and information services	97,461	95,528	91,120
Professional services	45,512	49,529	46,543
Fund administration and outsourced services	63,421	61,363	65,457
Amortization and other acquisition-related costs	35,247	5,821	6,387
Provision pursuant to tax receivable agreement		547,691	18,307
Other	41,219	99,142	39,983
Total operating expenses	1,815,910	2,370,228	1,780,982
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	517,461	(16,620)	519,465
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	123,769	(1,009,552)	85,402
NET INCOME	393,692	992,932	434,063
LESS - NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	5,994	6,559	6,786
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO LAZARD LTD	$ 387,698	$ 986,373	$ 427,277
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING:
Basic	124,770,401	125,366,272	122,351,836
Diluted	132,633,630	133,244,546	133,813,123
NET INCOME PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK:
Basic	$ 3.11	$ 7.87	$ 3.49
Diluted	2.92	7.40	3.20
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK	$ 2.69	$ 2.35	$ 1.20