Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenues	$ 684,615	$ 613,373	$ 551,863
Expenses
Compensation and benefits	401,384	360,893	311,224
Occupancy	17,101	18,696	15,063
Professional fees	19,954	12,574	20,911
Communication, technology and information services	25,173	22,025	18,263
Travel and related expenses	30,634	20,570	24,329
Depreciation and amortization	3,544	3,183	2,635
Other expenses	22,543	14,343	21,935
Total expenses	520,333	452,284	414,360
Operating income (loss)	164,282	161,089	137,503
Other income and (expenses)	177,728	509	2,085
Income (loss) from equity method investments	8,341	5,076	4,476
Income (loss) before income taxes	350,351	166,674	144,064
Provision for income taxes	223,827	24,809	23,847
Net income (loss)	126,524	141,865	120,217
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	97,124	103,478	87,113
Net income (loss) attributable to Moelis & Company	29,400	38,387	33,104
Class A common stock
Expenses
Net income (loss) attributable to Moelis & Company	$ 29,400	$ 38,387	$ 33,104
Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding
Basic (in shares)	30,597,058	20,933,757	20,021,652
Diluted (in shares)	37,675,511	24,242,302	21,362,571
Net income (loss) per share attributable to holders of shares of Class A common stock
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.96	$ 1.83	$ 1.65
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.78	$ 1.58	$ 1.55