Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Operating activities:
Consolidated net income	$ 42,092	$ 44,584	$ 39,421
Non-cash items included in consolidated net income:
Depreciation and amortization	7,240	8,009	5,986
Net investment (gains) losses	8,401	13,954	(11,724)
Restricted stock units recognized and common stock issued	54,178	53,351	53,800
Deferred taxes	(18,232)	(5,538)	(2,985)
Deferred gain on sale of certain merchant banking assets	(260)	(829)	(1,100)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Advisory fees receivable	(1,170)	(23,088)	(2,019)
Due to (from) affiliates	(3)	(141)	(15)
Other receivables and assets	(686)	1,423	8,403
Compensation payable	(11,112)	4,873	(8,704)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	14,303	3,208	(3,980)
Settlement of restricted stock units in cash	0	(2,093)	(8,926)
Net cash provided by operating activities	94,751	97,713	68,157
Investing activities:
Purchases of investments	(6,536)	(7,839)	(16,216)
Greenhill Australia acquisition, net of cash received	0	0	(3,030)
Proceeds from sales of investments	57,834	55,199	0
Distributions from investments	3,040	2,285	20,615
Financing Liability	(15,507)	0	0
Purchases of property and equipment	(2,833)	(2,941)	(8,127)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	35,998	46,704	(6,758)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from revolving bank loan	114,870	94,620	116,175
Repayment of revolving bank loan	(113,845)	(133,520)	(86,325)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	0	0	164
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	0	(1,035)	(4,179)
Dividends paid	(55,548)	(55,824)	(56,879)
Purchase of treasury stock	(83,165)	(65,784)	(37,211)
Net tax benefit (cost) from the delivery of restricted stock units and payment of dividend equivalents	(4,947)	1,399	5,533
Net cash used in financing activities	(142,635)	(160,144)	(62,722)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	160	(450)	5,077
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(11,726)	(16,177)	3,754
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	62,050	78,227	74,473
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	50,324	62,050	78,227
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	1,114	1,739	2,438
Cash paid for taxes, net of refunds	$ 36,158	$ 20,840	$ 12,195