Consolidated Statements Of Financial Condition (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 369,713	$ 364,104
Cash segregated under regulatory requirements	2,968	2,398
Securities owned	16,282	11,096
Marketable securities	1,238	4,600
Receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations, customers and related broker-dealers	192,053	474,269
Accrued commissions receivable, net	222,293	132,885
Loans, forgivable loans and other receivables from employees and partners, net	192,658	151,328
Fixed assets, net	136,068	133,428
Investments	20,367	25,107
Goodwill	141,142	82,853
Other intangible assets, net	16,994	13,603
Receivables from related parties	5,754	5,938
Other assets	87,655	68,705
Total assets	1,405,185	1,470,314
Liabilities, Redeemable Partnership Interest, and Equity
Short-term borrowings	13,600
Accrued compensation	143,800	155,538
Payables to broker-dealers, clearing organizations, customers and related broker-dealers	144,683	429,477
Payables to related parties	19,667	10,262
Accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities	250,552	260,737
Notes payable and collateralized borrowings	181,916	39,258
Notes payable to related parties	150,000	150,000
Total liabilities	904,218	1,045,272
Redeemable partnership interest	86,269	93,186
Equity
Additional paid-in capital	489,369	366,827
Contingent Class A common stock	20,133	3,171
Treasury stock, at cost: 17,997 and 17,936 shares of Class A common stock at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively	(109,870)	(109,627)
Retained deficit	(80,726)	(23,616)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,752)	(977)
Total stockholders' equity	316,654	236,917
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries	98,044	94,939
Total equity	414,698	331,856
Total liabilities, redeemable partnership interest, and equity	1,405,185	1,470,314
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Equity
Common stock value	1,152	881
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Equity
Common stock value	$ 348	$ 258