CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
REVENUE
Investment banking and other advisory fees	$ 1,039,188	$ 970,167	$ 1,105,168
Money management fees	858,834	859,996	812,709
Interest income	6,008	14,609	20,967
Other	89,983	74,866	64,233
Total revenue	1,994,013	1,919,638	2,003,077
Interest expense	81,565	90,126	97,709
Net revenue	1,912,448	1,829,512	1,905,368
OPERATING EXPENSES
Compensation and benefits	1,351,129	1,168,945	1,194,168
Occupancy and equipment	113,163	100,698	88,328
Marketing and business development	95,573	88,411	77,057
Technology and information services	86,892	83,212	73,744
Professional services	43,958	48,324	43,502
Fund administration and outsourced services	51,390	52,793	47,574
Amortization of intangible assets related to acquisitions	8,359	11,915	7,867
Provision pursuant to tax receivable agreement		429	2,361
Restructuring			87,108
Other	38,099	39,286	40,009
Total operating expenses	1,788,563	1,594,013	1,661,718
OPERATING INCOME	123,885	235,499	243,650
Provision for income taxes	31,100	44,940	49,227
NET INCOME	92,785	190,559	194,423
LESS - NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	8,476	15,642	19,444
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO LAZARD LTD	$ 84,309	$ 174,917	$ 174,979
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING:
Basic	116,953,989	118,032,020	104,411,253
Diluted	129,325,622	137,629,525	138,469,654
NET INCOME PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK:
Basic	$ 0.72	$ 1.48	$ 1.68
Diluted	$ 0.65	$ 1.36	$ 1.36
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK	$ 1.160	$ 0.605	$ 0.500