Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues
Advisory revenues	$ 280,452us-gaap_InvestmentBankingRevenue	$ 286,908us-gaap_InvestmentBankingRevenue	$ 291,545us-gaap_InvestmentBankingRevenue
Investment revenues	(5,218)ghl_InvestmentRevenues	244ghl_InvestmentRevenues	(6,466)ghl_InvestmentRevenues
Total revenues	275,234us-gaap_Revenues	287,152us-gaap_Revenues	285,079us-gaap_Revenues
Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits	147,552us-gaap_LaborAndRelatedExpense	155,666us-gaap_LaborAndRelatedExpense	151,795us-gaap_LaborAndRelatedExpense
Occupancy and equipment rental	18,983us-gaap_OccupancyNet	18,094us-gaap_OccupancyNet	17,777us-gaap_OccupancyNet
Depreciation and amortization	3,228us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization	4,461us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization	7,240us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
Information services	8,625	8,299	8,040
Professional fees	5,651us-gaap_ProfessionalFees	5,427us-gaap_ProfessionalFees	5,392us-gaap_ProfessionalFees
Travel related expenses	11,386us-gaap_TravelAndEntertainmentExpense	11,785us-gaap_TravelAndEntertainmentExpense	10,981us-gaap_TravelAndEntertainmentExpense
Interest expense	1,238us-gaap_InterestExpense	996us-gaap_InterestExpense	1,016us-gaap_InterestExpense
Other operating expenses	11,101us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating	11,218us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating	12,363us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating
Total expenses	207,764us-gaap_OperatingExpenses	215,946us-gaap_OperatingExpenses	214,604us-gaap_OperatingExpenses
Income before taxes	67,470	71,206	70,475
Provision for taxes	24,082us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	24,524us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	28,383us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Net income allocated to common stockholders	$ 43,388	$ 46,682	$ 42,092
Average shares outstanding:
Basic (shares)	30,354,227	30,134,430	30,553,460
Diluted (shares)	30,357,691	30,160,669	30,561,682
Earnings per share:
Basic (usd per share)	$ 1.43us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 1.55us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 1.38us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
Diluted (usd per share)	$ 1.43us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 1.55us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 1.38us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted
Dividends declared and paid per share (usd per share)	$ 1.8	$ 1.80	$ 1.80

The revenue derived from principal investments made by the financial institution, including interest income. Investments can include (but are not limited to) investments in private equity, alternative investment products, real estate, exchanges and memberships. Principal Investment gains or losses includes realized and unrealized investment gains or losses. Interest income includes interest earned on long-term receivables.

No definition available.