Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME	$ 85,429	$ 17,649
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX:
Currency translation adjustments	5,913	(12,433)
Amortization of interest rate hedge		264
Employee benefit plans:
Actuarial loss (net of tax benefit of $50 and $1,795 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively)	(557)	(3,423)
Adjustment for items reclassified to earnings (net of tax expense of $532 and $402 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively)	1,289	1,218
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX	6,645	(14,374)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	92,074	3,275
LESS - COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	4,611	2,132
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO LAZARD LTD	$ 87,463	$ 1,143