Segment Information - Components of Segment Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Components of Segment Information
Revenues	$ 209,881	$ 198,049	$ 621,378	$ 618,185
Operating income (loss)	36,825	21,277	81,685	97,119
Reimbursable expenses	17,356	18,679	55,900	58,923
Total revenues and reimbursable expenses	227,237	216,728	677,278	677,108
Depreciation and amortization	8,994	6,315	25,771	18,638
Other expense, net	(6,021)	(1,932)	(15,739)	(4,552)
Income before income tax expense	30,804	19,345	65,946	92,567
Operating Segments
Components of Segment Information
Revenues	209,881	198,049	621,378	618,185
Operating income (loss)	72,765	51,877	192,868	194,636
Reimbursable expenses	17,356	18,679	55,900	58,923
Total revenues and reimbursable expenses	227,237	216,728	677,278	677,108
Operating Segments | Huron Healthcare
Components of Segment Information
Revenues	112,114	97,812	328,624	306,327
Operating income (loss)	$ 47,609	$ 27,727	$ 122,120	$ 117,422
Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues	42.50%	28.30%	37.20%	38.30%
Operating Segments | Huron Education and Life Sciences
Components of Segment Information
Revenues	$ 42,056	$ 36,523	$ 124,892	$ 107,846
Operating income (loss)	$ 10,473	$ 9,459	$ 35,427	$ 27,539
Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues	24.90%	25.90%	28.40%	25.50%
Operating Segments | Huron Legal
Components of Segment Information
Revenues	$ 34,416	$ 46,146	$ 107,469	$ 154,417
Operating income (loss)	$ 9,584	$ 10,949	$ 23,461	$ 39,227
Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues	27.80%	23.70%	21.80%	25.40%
Operating Segments | Huron Business Advisory
Components of Segment Information
Revenues	$ 21,249	$ 17,142	$ 59,173	$ 47,098
Operating income (loss)	$ 5,231	$ 4,397	$ 13,514	$ 12,081
Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues	24.60%	25.70%	22.80%	25.70%
Operating Segments | All Other
Components of Segment Information
Revenues	$ 46	$ 426	$ 1,220	$ 2,497
Operating income (loss)	(132)	(655)	(1,654)	(1,633)
Segment Reconciling Items
Components of Segment Information
Other operating expenses and gains	26,946	24,285	85,412	78,879
Depreciation and amortization	8,994	6,315	25,771	18,638
Other expense, net	$ 6,021	$ 1,932	$ 15,739	$ 4,552