Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues	$ 885,840	$ 684,615	$ 613,373
Expenses
Compensation and benefits	513,863	401,384	360,893
Occupancy	18,952	17,101	18,696
Professional fees	25,311	19,954	12,574
Communication, technology and information services	29,747	25,173	22,025
Travel and related expenses	42,264	30,634	20,570
Depreciation and amortization	4,625	3,544	3,183
Other expenses	24,297	22,543	14,343
Total expenses	659,059	520,333	452,284
Operating income (loss)	226,781	164,282	161,089
Other income and (expenses)	4,509	177,728	509
Income (loss) from equity method investments	7,162	8,341	5,076
Income (loss) before income taxes	238,452	350,351	166,674
Provision for income taxes	30,448	223,827	24,809
Net income (loss)	208,004	126,524	141,865
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	67,324	97,124	103,478
Net income (loss) attributable to Moelis & Company	140,680	29,400	38,387
Class A Common Stock
Expenses
Net income (loss) attributable to Moelis & Company	$ 140,680	$ 29,400	$ 38,387
Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding
Basic (in shares)	43,216,358	30,597,058	20,933,757
Diluted (in shares)	50,690,528	37,675,511	24,242,302
Net income (loss) per share attributable to holders of shares of Class A common stock
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 3.26	$ 0.96	$ 1.83
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.78	$ 0.78	$ 1.58