Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenues	$ 746,534	$ 885,840	$ 684,615
Expenses
Compensation and benefits	488,439	513,863	401,384
Occupancy	20,209	18,952	17,101
Professional fees	19,229	25,311	19,954
Communication, technology and information services	31,590	29,747	25,173
Travel and related expenses	41,496	42,264	30,634
Depreciation and amortization	4,965	4,625	3,544
Other expenses	26,063	24,297	22,543
Total expenses	631,991	659,059	520,333
Operating income (loss)	114,543	226,781	164,282
Other income and (expenses)	32,962	11,671	186,069
Income (loss) before income taxes	147,505	238,452	350,351
Provision for income taxes	11,813	30,448	223,827
Net income (loss)	135,692	208,004	126,524
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	30,597	67,324	97,124
Net income (loss) attributable to Moelis & Company	105,095	140,680	29,400
Class A Common Stock
Expenses
Net income (loss) attributable to Moelis & Company	$ 105,095	$ 140,680	$ 29,400
Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding
Basic (in shares)	50,373,874	43,216,358	30,597,058
Diluted (in shares)	55,513,149	50,690,528	37,675,511
Net income (loss) per share attributable to holders of shares of Class A common stock
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 2.09	$ 3.26	$ 0.96
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.89	$ 2.78	$ 0.78