Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 28, 2012	Jun. 29, 2012	Mar. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 24, 2011	Mar. 25, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012 Financial_Advisors	Dec. 31, 2011 Financial_Advisors	Dec. 31, 2010 Financial_Advisors
Net revenue:
Total net revenue									$ 4,965,175	$ 4,509,861	$ 4,106,776
Net interest and dividends revenue:
Total net interest and dividends revenue									71,226	62,509	70,446
Pre-variable income (loss):
Total pre-variable income									1,052,068	860,051	667,395
Variable incentive compensation:
Total variable incentive compensation									497,048	378,268	274,610
Income (loss) before allocation to partners:
Income before allocations to partners	146,632	130,861	138,962	138,565	124,127	115,620	124,397	117,639	555,020	481,783	392,785
Capital expenditures:
Total capital expenditures									37,758	55,012	92,994
Depreciation and amortization:
Total depreciation and amortization									80,148	90,609	98,187
Total assets:
Total assets	13,042,243				9,583,586				13,042,243	9,583,586	8,241,150
Financial Advisors (as of year-end):
Total financial advisors									12,463	12,242	12,616
United States of America [Member]
Net revenue:
Total net revenue									4,789,850	4,324,451	3,939,831
Net interest and dividends revenue:
Total net interest and dividends revenue									66,912	57,647	66,775
Pre-variable income (loss):
Total pre-variable income									1,055,550	855,862	678,110
Variable incentive compensation:
Total variable incentive compensation									485,196	366,663	266,100
Income (loss) before allocation to partners:
Income before allocations to partners									570,354	489,199	412,010
Capital expenditures:
Total capital expenditures									36,700	53,219	90,500
Depreciation and amortization:
Total depreciation and amortization									78,226	88,118	95,548
Total assets:
Total assets	12,617,643				9,158,882				12,617,643	9,158,882	7,785,698
Financial Advisors (as of year-end):
Total financial advisors									11,822	11,622	11,980
Canada [Member]
Net revenue:
Total net revenue									175,325	185,410	166,945
Net interest and dividends revenue:
Total net interest and dividends revenue									4,314	4,862	3,671
Pre-variable income (loss):
Total pre-variable income									(3,482)	4,189	(10,715)
Variable incentive compensation:
Total variable incentive compensation									11,852	11,605	8,510
Income (loss) before allocation to partners:
Income before allocations to partners									(15,334)	(7,416)	(19,225)
Capital expenditures:
Total capital expenditures									1,058	1,793	2,494
Depreciation and amortization:
Total depreciation and amortization									1,922	2,491	2,639
Total assets:
Total assets	$ 424,600				$ 424,704				$ 424,600	$ 424,704	$ 455,452
Financial Advisors (as of year-end):
Total financial advisors									641	620	636