Consolidated and Combined Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenues	$ 613,373	$ 551,863	$ 518,750
Expenses
Compensation and benefits	360,893	311,224	377,219
Occupancy	18,696	15,063	13,638
Professional fees	12,574	20,911	19,177
Communication, technology and information services	22,025	18,263	15,841
Travel and related expenses	20,570	24,329	25,338
Depreciation and amortization	3,183	2,635	2,268
Other expenses	14,343	21,935	17,525
Total expenses	452,284	414,360	471,006
Operating income (loss)	161,089	137,503	47,744
Other income and (expenses)	509	2,085	736
Income (loss) from equity method investments	5,076	4,476	(2,185)
Income (loss) before income taxes	166,674	144,064	46,295
Provision for income taxes	24,809	23,847	13,740
Net income (loss)	141,865	120,217	32,555
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	103,478	87,113	35,567
Net income (loss) attributable to Moelis & Company	38,387	33,104	(3,012)
Class A common stock
Expenses
Net income (loss) attributable to Moelis & Company	$ 38,387	$ 33,104	$ (3,012)
Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding
Basic (in shares)	20,933,757	20,021,652	15,911,819
Diluted (in shares)	24,242,302	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)	$ 1.83	$ 1.65	$ (0.19)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.58	$ 1.55	$ (0.19)