Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME	$ 89,920	$ 62,748	$ 261,258	$ 112,318
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX:
Currency translation adjustments	(29,100)	12,157	(18,640)	(18,610)
Amortization of interest rate hedge		264		791
Employee benefit plans:
Actuarial gain (loss) (net of tax (expense) benefit of $(1,731) and $(25) for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $1,919 and $1,686 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively)	3,251	50	(3,695)	(2,669)
Adjustment for items reclassified to earnings (net of tax expense of $528 and $404 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $1,391 and $1,206 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively)	1,145	1,223	3,714	3,653
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX	(24,704)	13,694	(18,621)	(16,835)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	65,216	76,442	242,637	95,483
LESS - COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	1,061	2,523	6,365	5,201
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO LAZARD LTD	$ 64,155	$ 73,919	$ 236,272	$ 90,282