Segment Information - Reported Revenue and Profit Before Income Taxes (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Revenue
Total revenue	$ 254,928	$ 244,679	$ 249,689	$ 255,168	$ 293,362	$ 243,376	$ 243,830	$ 239,146	$ 1,004,464		$ 1,019,714		$ 952,612
Income (loss) before income taxes
Total income (loss) before income taxes	9,595	10,896	136	5,109	23,359	8,163	5,674	6,713	25,736		43,909		(527)
Private Client Division
Revenue
Total revenue									582,364	[1]	600,071	[1]	550,797	[1]
Income (loss) before income taxes
Total income (loss) before income taxes									60,116	[1]	65,924	[1]	53,487	[1]
Asset management fees									77.50%		77.50%		77.50%
Asset Management
Revenue
Total revenue									99,964	[1]	102,214	[1]	84,160	[1]
Income (loss) before income taxes
Total income (loss) before income taxes									33,707	[1]	40,951	[1]	25,436	[1]
Asset management fees									22.50%		22.50%		22.50%
Capital markets
Revenue
Total revenue									298,597		281,377		283,139
Income (loss) before income taxes
Total income (loss) before income taxes									17,819		6,968		(15,324)
Commercial mortgage banking
Revenue
Total revenue									23,329		34,144		35,682
Income (loss) before income taxes
Total income (loss) before income taxes									8,546		11,413		15,267
Corporate/Other
Revenue
Total revenue									210		1,908		(1,166)
Income (loss) before income taxes
Total income (loss) before income taxes									$ (94,452)		$ (81,347)		$ (79,393)

[1] Asset management fees are allocated 22.5% to the Asset Management and 77.5% to the Private Client segments.