CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
NET INCOME	$ 92,785	$ 190,559	$ 194,423
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX:
Currency translation adjustments	15,686	(9,474)	(9,457)
Amortization of interest rate hedge	1,055	1,054	1,163
Available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized gain (net of tax expense of $1645)			3,129
Adjustments for items reclassified to earnings (net of tax expense of $4989)			9,501
Employee benefit plans:
Actuarial gain (loss) (net of tax expense (benefit) of $(12,950), $(12,526) and $6,555 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively)	(40,298)	(38,248)	17,841
Adjustments for items reclassified to earnings (net of tax expense of $1,145, $1,031 and $975 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively)	4,399	2,206	1,643
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX	(19,158)	(44,462)	23,820
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	73,627	146,097	218,243
LESS - COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	8,315	13,105	20,924
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO LAZARD LTD	$ 65,312	$ 132,992	$ 197,319