Consolidated and Combined Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenues	$ 551,863	$ 518,750	$ 411,386
Expenses
Compensation and benefits	311,224	377,219	264,944
Occupancy	15,063	13,638	13,902
Professional fees	20,911	19,177	13,281
Communication, technology and information services	18,263	15,841	13,819
Travel and related expenses	24,329	25,338	18,153
Depreciation and amortization	2,635	2,268	2,296
Other expenses	21,935	17,525	14,882
Total expenses	414,360	471,006	341,277
Operating income (loss)	137,503	47,744	70,109
Other income and (expenses)	2,085	736	(771)
Income (loss) from equity method investments	4,476	(2,185)	3,681
Income (loss) before income taxes	144,064	46,295	73,019
Provision for income taxes	23,847	13,740	2,794
Net income (loss)	120,217	32,555	$ 70,225
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	87,113	35,567
Net income (loss) attributable to Moelis & Company	33,104	(3,012)
Class A common stock
Expenses
Net income (loss) attributable to Moelis & Company	$ 33,104	$ (3,012)
Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding
Basic (in shares)	20,021,652	15,911,819
Diluted (in shares)	21,362,571	15,911,819
Net income (loss) per share attributable to holders of shares of Class A common stock
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.65	$ (0.19)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.55	$ (0.19)