Lazard (LAZ) 10-Q6 May 142014 Q1 Quarterly reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 25, 2014	Apr. 25, 2014	Apr. 25, 2014
		Class A Common Stock [Member]	Class A Common Stock [Member]	Class B Common Stock [Member]
			Subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'	'	'
Trading Symbol	'LAZ	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'LAZARD LTD	'	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001311370	'	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	129,056,081	6,230,717	1

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets [Abstract]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$666,589	$841,482
Deposits with banks	274,391	244,879
Cash deposited with clearing organizations and other segregated cash	64,460	62,046
Receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $31,324 and $28,777 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively):	'	'
Fees	401,037	452,535
Customers and other	117,860	52,220
Related parties	4,185	7,920
Total receivables, net	523,082	512,675
Investments	417,295	478,105
Property (net of accumulated amortization and depreciation of $262,928 and $253,930 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively)	242,977	248,796
Goodwill and other intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $46,599 and $45,379 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively)	366,921	363,877
Other assets	342,488	259,277
Total Assets	2,898,203	3,011,137
Liabilities:	'	'
Deposits and other customer payables	350,114	275,434
Accrued compensation and benefits	339,162	523,063
Senior debt	1,048,350	1,048,350
Capital lease obligations	15,246	15,834
Related party payables	2,582	5,031
Other liabilities	587,108	513,427
Total Liabilities	2,342,562	2,381,139
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Common stock:	'	'
Additional paid-in-capital	556,711	737,899
Retained earnings	242,818	203,236
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-126,383	-133,004
Stockholders' equity subtotal before common stock held by subsidiary and Noncontrolling interests, total	674,437	809,422
Total Lazard Ltd Stockholders' Equity	485,844	560,209
Noncontrolling interests	69,797	69,789
Total Stockholders' Equity	555,641	629,998
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	2,898,203	3,011,137
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share; 15,000,000 shares authorized:	'	'
Preferred stock	'	'
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share; 15,000,000 shares authorized:	'	'
Preferred stock	'	'
Class A Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Common stock:	'	'
Common stock	1,291	1,291
Class A common stock held by subsidiaries, at cost	-188,593	-249,213
Class B Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Common stock:	'	'
Common stock	'	'

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivables	$31,324	$28,777
Property, accumulated amortization and depreciation	262,928	253,930
Goodwill and other intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$46,599	$45,379
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	15,000,000	15,000,000
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred stock, shares issued	7,921	7,921
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	7,921	7,921
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Class A Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	129,056,081	129,056,081
Common stock, shares outstanding	129,056,081	129,056,081
Common stock held by subsidiaries, shares	6,060,439	8,317,065
Class B Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	1	1
Common stock, shares issued	1	1
Common stock, shares outstanding	1	1

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
REVENUE	'	'
Investment banking and other advisory fees	$272,675	$168,104
Money management fees	253,031	231,137
Interest income	1,419	1,131
Other	22,228	21,686
Total revenue	549,353	422,058
Interest expense	15,953	20,155
Net revenue	533,400	401,903
OPERATING EXPENSES	'	'
Compensation and benefits	321,565	277,739
Occupancy and equipment	28,312	29,304
Marketing and business development	19,233	18,192
Technology and information services	23,487	22,980
Professional services	7,591	8,613
Fund administration and outsourced services	15,454	13,465
Amortization of intangible assets related to acquisitions	1,220	877
Other	9,358	9,136
Total operating expenses	426,220	380,306
OPERATING INCOME	107,180	21,597
Provision for income taxes	21,751	3,948
NET INCOME	85,429	17,649
LESS - NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	4,587	2,289
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO LAZARD LTD	$80,842	$15,360
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING:	'	'
Basic	121,776,207	117,708,204
Diluted	134,025,991	132,815,560
NET INCOME PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK:	'	'
Basic	$0.66	$0.13
Diluted	$0.61	$0.12
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK	$0.30	'

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
NET INCOME	$85,429	$17,649
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX:	'	'
Currency translation adjustments	5,913	-12,433
Amortization of interest rate hedge	'	264
Employee benefit plans:	'	'
Actuarial loss (net of tax benefit of $50 and $1,795 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively)	-557	-3,423
Adjustment for items reclassified to earnings (net of tax expense of $532 and $402 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively)	1,289	1,218
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX	6,645	-14,374
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	92,074	3,275
LESS - COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	4,611	2,132
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO LAZARD LTD	$87,463	$1,143

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Tax benefit on actuarial loss, employee benefit plans	$50	$1,795
Tax expense, adjustment for items reclassified to earnings, employee benefit plans	$532	$402

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
NET INCOME	$85,429	$17,649
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization of property	8,859	8,059
Amortization of deferred expenses, share-based incentive compensation and interest rate hedge	83,023	88,074
Amortization of intangible assets related to acquisitions	1,220	877
(Increase) decrease in operating assets:	'	'
Deposits with banks	-29,370	30,635
Cash deposited with clearing organizations and other segregated cash	-2,284	2,812
Receivables-net	-9,149	11,333
Investments	61,090	4,954
Other assets	-102,518	-77,560
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:	'	'
Deposits and other payables	71,680	-13,792
Accrued compensation and benefits and other liabilities	-114,174	-146,126
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	53,806	-73,085
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Additions to property	-3,153	-29,198
Disposals of property	250	2,631
Net cash used in investing activities	-2,903	-26,567
Proceeds from:	'	'
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	384	'
Excess tax benefits from share-based incentive compensation	1,925	2,211
Payments for:	'	'
Capital lease obligations	-583	-1,004
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-4,312	-2,617
Purchase of Class A common stock	-106,935	-30,168
Class A common stock dividends	-35,917	'
Settlement of vested share-based incentive compensation	-82,021	-116,954
Other financing activities	-332	'
Net cash used in financing activities	-227,791	-148,532
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH	1,995	-15,895
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-174,893	-264,079
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS-January 1	841,482	850,190
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS-March 31	$666,589	$586,111

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Series A Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]		Additional Paid-In-Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Member]	Class A Common Stock Held By Subsidiaries [Member]	Total Lazard Ltd Stockholders' Equity [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	USD ($)	Series A Preferred Stock [Member]	USD ($)		USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$651,540	'	$1,282		$846,050	$182,647	($110,541)	($349,782)	$569,656	$81,884
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	'	7,921	128,216,424	[1]	'	'	'	12,802,938	'	'
Comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'		'	'	'	'	'	'
NET INCOME	17,649	'	'		'	15,360	'	'	15,360	2,289
Other comprehensive income (loss) - net of tax	-14,374	'	'		'	'	-14,217	'	-14,217	-157
Business acquisitions and related equity transactions:	'	'	'		'	'	'	'	'	'
Class A common stock issuable (including related amortization)	451	'	'		446	'	'	'	446	5
Delivery of Class A common stock (including dividend-equivalents)	'	'	'		-4,994	-179	'	5,173	'	'
Delivery of Class A common stock (including dividend-equivalents) (in shares)	'	'	'		'	'	'	-170,988	'	'
Amortization of share-based incentive compensation	70,712	'	'		69,868	'	'	'	69,868	844
Purchase of Class A common stock	-30,168	'	'		'	'	'	-30,168	-30,168	'
Purchase of Class A common stock (in shares)	'	'	'		'	'	'	831,157	'	'
Delivery of Class A common stock in connection with shared-based incentive compensation and related tax benefit	-116,092	'	'		-307,883	-609	'	192,390	-116,102	10
Delivery of Class A common stock in connection with share-based incentive compensation and related tax benefit (in shares)	'	'	'		'	'	'	-6,658,417	'	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net	-2,617	'	'		'	'	'	'	'	-2,617
Adjustments related to noncontrolling interests	'	'	'		1,757	'	'	'	1,757	-1,757
Other	'	'	'		-78	78	'	'	'	'
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2013	577,101	'	1,282		605,166	197,297	-124,758	-182,387	496,600	80,501
Ending Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2013	'	7,291	128,216,424	[1]	'	'	'	6,804,690	'	'
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	629,998	'	1,291		737,899	203,236	-133,004	-249,213	560,209	69,789
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	'	7,921	129,056,082	[2]	'	'	'	8,317,065	'	'
Comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'		'	'	'	'	'	'
NET INCOME	85,429	'	'		'	80,842	'	'	80,842	4,587
Other comprehensive income (loss) - net of tax	6,645	'	'		'	'	6,621	'	6,621	24
Business acquisitions and related equity transactions:	'	'	'		'	'	'	'	'	'
Class A common stock issuable (including related amortization)	129	'	'		128	'	'	'	128	1
Amortization of share-based incentive compensation	60,797	'	'		60,464	'	'	'	60,464	333
Purchase of Class A common stock	-106,935	'	'		'	'	'	-106,935	-106,935	'
Purchase of Class A common stock (in shares)	'	'	'		'	'	'	2,392,674	'	'
Delivery of Class A common stock in connection with shared-based incentive compensation and related tax benefit	-80,245	'	'		-247,810	'	'	167,555	-80,255	10
Delivery of Class A common stock in connection with share-based incentive compensation and related tax benefit (in shares)	'	'	'		'	'	'	-4,649,300	'	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net	-3,928	'	'		'	'	'	'	'	-3,928
Adjustments related to noncontrolling interests	'	'	'		1,017	'	'	'	1,017	-1,017
Dividend-equivalents	-332	'	'		5,013	-5,343	'	'	-330	-2
Class A common stock dividends	-35,917	'	'		'	-35,917	'	'	-35,917	'
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	$555,641	'	$1,291		$556,711	$242,818	($126,383)	($188,593)	$485,844	$69,797
Ending Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2014	'	7,921	129,056,082	[2]	'	'	'	6,060,439	'	'

[1]	(*) Includes 128,216,423 shares of the Company's Class A common stock issued at January 1, 2013 and March 31, 2013, and 1 share of the Company's Class B common stock issued at each such date.
[2]	(*) Includes 129,056,081 shares of the Company's Class A common stock issued at January 1, 2014 and March 31, 2014, and 1 share of the Company's Class B common stock issued at each such date.

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme7

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Tax benefit related to delivery of Class A Common Stock in connection with share-based incentive compensation	$1,776	$862

Organization_and_Basis_of_Pres

Organization and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Organization and Basis of Presentation	'
	1	ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	Organization
	Lazard Ltd, a Bermuda holding company, and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “Lazard Ltd”, “Lazard”, “we” or the “Company”), including Lazard Ltd’s indirect investment in Lazard Group LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (collectively referred to, together with its subsidiaries, as “Lazard Group”), is one of the world’s preeminent financial advisory and asset management firms and has long specialized in crafting solutions to the complex financial and strategic challenges of our clients. We serve a diverse set of clients around the world, including corporations, governments, institutions, partnerships and individuals.
	Lazard Ltd indirectly held approximately 99.5% of all outstanding Lazard Group common membership interests as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. Lazard Ltd, through its control of the managing members of Lazard Group, controls Lazard Group, which is governed by an Operating Agreement dated as of May 10, 2005, as amended (the “Operating Agreement”). LAZ-MD Holdings LLC (“LAZ-MD Holdings”), an entity owned by Lazard Group’s current and former managing directors, held approximately 0.5% of the outstanding Lazard Group common membership interests as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. Additionally, LAZ-MD Holdings was the sole owner of the one issued and outstanding share of Lazard Ltd’s Class B common stock (the “Class B common stock”) which provided LAZ-MD Holdings with approximately 0.6% of the voting power but no economic rights in the Company as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. Subject to certain limitations, LAZ-MD Holdings’ interests in Lazard Group are exchangeable for Lazard Ltd Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Class A common stock”).
	Our sole operating asset is our indirect ownership of common membership interests of Lazard Group and our managing member interest of Lazard Group, whose principal operating activities are included in two business segments:

		•	Financial Advisory, which offers corporate, partnership, institutional, government, sovereign and individual clients across the globe a wide array of financial advisory services regarding mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”) and other strategic matters, restructurings, capital structure, capital raising and various other financial matters, and

		•	Asset Management, which offers a broad range of global investment solutions and investment management services in equity and fixed income strategies, alternative investments and private equity funds to corporations, public funds, sovereign entities, endowments and foundations, labor funds, financial intermediaries and private clients.
	In addition, we record selected other activities in our Corporate segment, including management of cash, investments and outstanding indebtedness, as well as certain commercial banking activities of Lazard Group’s Paris-based subsidiary Lazard Frères Banque SA (“LFB”).
	LFB is a registered bank regulated by the Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution (“ACPR”). It is engaged primarily in commercial and private banking services for clients and funds managed by Lazard Frères Gestion SAS (“LFG”) and other clients, investment banking activities, including participation in underwritten offerings of securities in France, and asset-liability management.

	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of Lazard Ltd have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) regarding interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Lazard Ltd’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the “Form 10-K”). The accompanying December 31, 2013 unaudited condensed consolidated statement of financial condition data was derived from audited consolidated financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statement purposes. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented.
	Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts that are reported in the financial statements and the accompanying disclosures. Discretionary compensation and benefits expense for interim periods is accrued based on the year-to-date amount of revenue earned, and an assumed annual ratio of compensation and benefits expense to revenue, with the applicable amounts adjusted for certain items. Although these estimates are based on management’s knowledge of current events and actions that Lazard may undertake in the future, actual results may differ materially from the estimates.
	The consolidated results of operations for the three month period ended March 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future interim or annual period.
	The condensed consolidated financial statements include Lazard Ltd, Lazard Group and Lazard Group’s principal operating subsidiaries: Lazard Frères & Co. LLC (“LFNY”), a New York limited liability company, along with its subsidiaries, including Lazard Asset Management LLC and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “LAM”); the French limited liability companies Compagnie Financière Lazard Frères SAS (“CFLF”) along with its subsidiaries, LFB and LFG, and Maison Lazard SAS and its subsidiaries; and Lazard & Co., Limited (“LCL”), through Lazard & Co., Holdings Limited (“LCH”), an English private limited company, together with their jointly owned affiliates and subsidiaries.
	The Company’s policy is to consolidate (i) entities in which it has a controlling financial interest, (ii) variable interest entities (“VIEs”) where the Company has a variable interest and is deemed to be the primary beneficiary and (iii) limited partnerships where the Company is the general partner, unless the presumption of control is overcome. When the Company does not have a controlling interest in an entity, but exerts significant influence over such entity’s operating and financial decisions, the Company applies the equity method of accounting in which it records in earnings its share of earnings or losses of the entity. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Recent_Accounting_Developments

Recent Accounting Developments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract]	'
Recent Accounting Developments	'
	2	RECENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS
	Presentation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits—In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued guidance on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when net operating losses or tax credit carryforwards exist. The guidance requires that the unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of such unrecognized tax benefit, be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except in certain situations, as defined in the guidance. The new presentation requirements are effective prospectively for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted. The Company elected to adopt this guidance in the fourth quarter of 2013, the impact of which did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Receivables

Receivables	3 Months Ended
Receivables	Mar. 31, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Receivables	'
	3	RECEIVABLES
	The Company’s receivables represent receivables from fees, customers and other and related parties.
	Receivables are stated net of an estimated allowance for doubtful accounts, for past due amounts and for specific accounts deemed uncollectible, which may include situations where a fee is in dispute. Activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was as follows:


			Three Months Ended
			March 31,
			2014			2013
	Balance, January 1		$	28,777		$	23,017
	Bad debt expense, net of recoveries			9,136			148
	Charge-offs, foreign currency translation and other adjustments			(6,589	)		(360	)

	Balance, March 31		$	31,324		$	22,805

	At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had receivables past due or deemed uncollectible of $35,566 and $39,341, respectively.
	Of the Company’s fee receivables at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, $65,241 and $69,464, respectively, represented interest-bearing financing receivables. Based upon our historical loss experience, the credit quality of the counterparties, and the lack of past due or uncollectible amounts, there was no allowance for doubtful accounts required at those dates related to such receivables.
	The aggregate carrying amount of our non-interest bearing receivables of $457,841 and $443,211 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, approximates fair value.

Investments

Investments	3 Months Ended
Investments	Mar. 31, 2014
Investments Schedule [Abstract]	'
Investments	'
	4	INVESTMENTS
	The Company’s investments and securities sold, not yet purchased, consist of the following at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:


			March 31,		December 31,
			2014		2013
	Debt (including interest-bearing deposits of $533 and $516, respectively)		$	7,806	$	8,529

	Equities			57,757		59,394

	Funds:
	Alternative investments (a)			36,321		37,030
	Debt (a)			48,207		58,769
	Equity (a)			143,115		190,702
	Private equity			115,537		114,193

				343,180		400,694

	Equity method			8,552		9,488

	Total investments			417,295		478,105
	Less:
	Interest-bearing deposits			533		516
	Equity method			8,552		9,488

	Investments, at fair value		$	408,210	$	468,101

	Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value (included in “other liabilities”)		$	5,330	$	4,045


	(a)	Interests in alternative investment funds, debt funds and equity funds include investments with fair values of $8,626, $25,520 and $95,933, respectively, at March 31, 2014 and $7,099, $31,515 and $130,481, respectively, at December 31, 2013, held in order to satisfy the Company’s liability upon vesting of previously granted Lazard Fund Interests (“Lazard Fund Interests”) and other similar deferred compensation arrangements. Lazard Fund Interests represent grants by the Company to eligible employees of actual or notional interests in a number of Lazard-managed funds (see Notes 6 and 12 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).
	Debt securities primarily consist of seed investments invested in debt securities held within separately managed accounts related to our Asset Management business and non-U.S. government debt securities.
	Equities primarily consist of seed investments invested in marketable equity securities of large-, mid- and small-cap domestic, international and global companies held within separately managed accounts related to our Asset Management business.
	Alternative investment funds primarily consist of interests in various Lazard-managed hedge funds and funds of funds.
	Debt funds primarily consist of seed investments in funds related to our Asset Management business that invest in debt securities, and amounts related to Lazard Fund Interests discussed above.
	Equity funds primarily consist of seed investments in funds related to our Asset Management business that invest in equity securities, and amounts related to Lazard Fund Interests discussed above.

	Private equity investments include those owned by Lazard and those consolidated but not owned by Lazard. Private equity investments owned by Lazard are primarily comprised of investments in private equity funds. Such investments primarily include (i) a mezzanine fund, which invests in mezzanine debt of a diversified selection of small- to mid-cap European companies, (ii) Corporate Partners II Limited (“CP II”), a fund targeting significant noncontrolling-stake investments in established private companies, (iii) Edgewater Growth Capital Partners III, L.P. (“EGCP III”), a fund primarily making equity and buyout investments in middle market companies and (iv) Lazard Australia Corporate Opportunities Fund (“COF2”), a Lazard-managed Australian fund targeting Australian mid-market investments.
	Private equity investments consolidated but not owned by Lazard relate to the economic interests that are owned by the management team and other investors in the Edgewater Funds (“Edgewater”) which totaled $9,286 and $9,787 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively (see Note 10 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).
	During the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company reported in “revenue-other” on its condensed consolidated statements of operations gross unrealized investment gains and losses pertaining to “trading” securities as follows:


			Three Months Ended
			March 31,
			2014		2013
	Gross unrealized investment gains		$	3,084	$	8,395
	Gross unrealized investment losses		$	2,593	$	1,636

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Lazard categorizes its investments and certain other assets and liabilities recorded at fair value into a three-level fair value hierarchy as follows:

Level 1.

Assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that Lazard has the ability to access.

Level 2.

Assets and liabilities whose values are based on (i) quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets, (ii) assets valued based on net asset value (“NAV”) or its equivalent redeemable at the measurement date or within the near term without redemption restrictions, or (iii) inputs other than quoted prices that are directly observable or derived principally from, or corroborated by, market data.

Level 3.

Assets and liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs reflect our own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability. Items included in Level 3 include securities or other financial assets whose trading volume and level of activity have significantly decreased when compared with normal market activity and there is no longer sufficient frequency or volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis, as well as assets valued based on NAV or its equivalent, but not redeemable within the near term as a result of redemption restrictions.

The Company’s investments in non-U.S. Government and other debt securities are classified as Level 1 when their respective fair values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and are classified as Level 2 when their fair values are primarily based on prices as provided by external pricing services.

The fair value of equities is classified as Level 1 or Level 3 as follows: marketable equity securities are classified as Level 1 and are valued based on the last trade price on the primary exchange for that security as provided by external pricing services; equity securities in private companies are generally classified as Level 3.

The fair value of investments in alternative investment funds is classified as Level 2 and is valued at NAV or its equivalent, which is primarily determined based on information provided by external fund administrators. Such investments are redeemable within the near term.

The fair value of investments in debt funds is classified as Level 1 when the fair values are primarily based on the publicly reported closing price for the fund, and classified as Level 2 when the fair values are primarily based on NAV or its equivalent and are redeemable within the near term.

The fair value of investments in equity funds is classified as Level 1 or 2 as follows: publicly traded asset management funds are classified as Level 1 and are valued based on the reported closing price for the fund; and investments in asset management funds redeemable in the near term are classified as Level 2 and are valued at NAV or its equivalent, which is primarily determined based on information provided by external fund administrators.

The fair value of investments in private equity funds is classified as Level 3, and is primarily based on NAV or its equivalent. Such investments are not redeemable within the near term.

The fair values of derivatives entered into by the Company are classified as Level 2 and are based on the values of the related underlying assets, indices or reference rates as follows - the fair value of forward foreign currency exchange rate contracts is a function of the spot rate and the interest rate differential of the two currencies from the trade date to settlement date; the fair value of total return swaps is based on the change in fair values of the related underlying equity security, financial instrument or index and a specified notional holding; the fair value of interest rate swaps is based on the interest rate yield curve; and the fair value of derivative liabilities related to Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements is based on the value of the underlying investments, adjusted for forfeitures. See Note 6 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Where reported information regarding an investment is based on data received from external fund administrators or pricing services, the Company reviews such information and classifies the investment at the relevant level within the fair value hierarchy.

The following tables present the classification of investments and certain other assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 within the fair value hierarchy:

31-Mar-14

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Assets:

Investments:

Debt (excluding interest-bearing deposits)

1,720

5,553

–

7,273

Equities

56,420

–

1,337

57,757

Funds:

Alternative investments

–

36,321

–

36,321

Debt

48,203

–

48,207

Equity

143,074

–

143,115

Private equity

–

115,537

Derivatives

–

275

–

275

Total

249,417

42,194

116,874

408,485

Liabilities:

Securities sold, not yet purchased

5,330

–

5,330

Derivatives

–

219,172

–

219,172

Total

5,330

219,172

–

224,502

31-Dec-13

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Assets:

Investments:

Debt (excluding interest-bearing deposits)

1,681

6,332

–

8,013

Equities

58,054

–

1,340

59,394

Funds:

Alternative investments

–

37,030

–

37,030

Debt

58,765

–

58,769

Equity

190,660

–

190,702

Private equity

–

114,193

Derivatives

–

682

–

682

Total

309,160

44,090

115,533

468,783

Liabilities:

Securities sold, not yet purchased

4,045

–

4,045

Derivatives

–

164,001

–

164,001

Total

4,045

164,001

–

168,046

The following tables provide a summary of changes in fair value of the Company’s Level 3 assets for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2014

Beginning

Net Unrealized/

Purchases/

Sales/

Foreign

Ending

Balance

Realized

Acquisitions

Disposition

Currency

Balance

Gains (Losses)

Translation

Included

Adjustments

In Revenue-

Other (a)

Investments:

Equities

1,340

–

)

1,337

Private equity funds

114,193

5,582

347

(4,669

)

115,537

Total Level 3 Assets

115,533

5,584

347

(4,669

)

116,874

Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

Beginning

Net Unrealized/

Purchases/

Sales/

Foreign

Ending

Balance

Realized

Acquisitions

Dispositions

Currency

Balance

Gains (Losses)

Translation

Included

Adjustments

In Revenue-

Other (a)

Investments:

Equities

190

–

)

184

Alternative investment funds

3,457

–

(2,247

)

–

1,304

Equity funds

–

(10

)

–

Private equity funds

112,444

682

–

(1,256

)

(1,374

)

110,496

Total Level 3 Assets

116,101

776

–

(3,513

)

(1,380

)

111,984

(a)

Earnings for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 include net unrealized gains (losses) of $4,413 and $670, respectively.

There were no transfers between any of the Level 1, 2 and 3 categories in the fair value measurement hierarchy during the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.

Fair Value of Certain Investments Based on NAV—The Company’s Level 2 and Level 3 investments at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 include certain investments that are valued using NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient in determining fair value. Information with respect thereto was as follows:

31-Mar-14

% of

Estimated Liquidation Period of

Investments Redeemable

Fair Value

Investments Not Redeemable

Not

Fair value

Unfunded

Redeemable

Redemption

Commitments

10-May

Thereafter

Frequency

Notice Period

5 Years

Years

Alternative investment funds:

Hedge funds

32,210

–

(a)

<30-60 days

Funds of funds

487

–

(b)

<30-90 days

Other

3,624

–

(c)

<30-60 days

Debt funds

–

(d)

30 days

Equity funds

–

(e)

30-90 days

Private equity funds:

Equity growth

71,408

27,156

100%

14%

61%

25%

Mezzanine debt

44,129

–

100%

–%

100%

Total

151,903

27,156

(a)

weekly (17%), monthly (64%) and quarterly (19%)

(b)

monthly (95%) and quarterly (5%)

(c)

daily (9%), weekly (2%) and monthly (89%)

(d)

daily (100%)

(e)

daily (14%), monthly (58%) and quarterly (28%)

31-Dec-13

% of

Estimated Liquidation Period of

Investments Redeemable

Fair Value

Investments Not Redeemable

Not

Fair value

Unfunded

Redeemable

Redemption

Commitments

10-May

Thereafter

Frequency

Notice Period

5 Years

Years

Alternative investment funds:

Hedge funds

31,837

–

(a)

<30-90 days

Funds of funds

475

–

(b)

<30-90 days

Other

4,718

–

(c)

<30-60 days

Debt funds

–

(d)

30 days

Equity funds

–

(e)

30-90 days

Private equity funds:

Equity growth

70,054

27,135

100%

17%

60%

23%

Mezzanine debt

44,139

–

100%

–%

100%

Total

151,269

27,135

(a)

weekly (17%), monthly (65%) and quarterly (18%)

(b)

monthly (95%) and quarterly (5%)

(c)

daily (7%), weekly (1%) and monthly (92%)

(d)

daily (100%)

(e)

daily (13%), monthly (58%) and quarterly (29%)

See Note 4 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of significant investment strategies for investments with value based on NAV.

Investment Capital Funding Commitments—At March 31, 2014, the Company’s maximum unfunded commitments for capital contributions to investment funds arose from (i) commitments to CP II, which amounted to $1,940 for potential “follow-on investments” and/or for fund expenses through the earlier of February 25, 2017 or the liquidation of the fund, (ii) commitments to EGCP III, which amounted to $18,337, through the earlier of October 12, 2016 (i.e., the end of the investment period) for investments and/or expenses (with a portion of the undrawn amount of such commitments as of that date remaining committed until October 12, 2023 in respect of “follow-on investments” and/or fund expenses) or the liquidation of the fund and (iii) commitments to COF2, which amounted to $6,879, through the earlier of November 11, 2016 (i.e., the end of the investment period) for investments and/or fund expenses (with a portion of the undrawn amount of such commitments as of that date remaining committed until November 11, 2019 in respect of “follow-on investments” and/or fund expenses) or the liquidation of the fund.

Derivatives

Derivatives	3 Months Ended
Derivatives	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivatives	'
	6	DERIVATIVES
	The Company enters into forward foreign currency exchange rate contracts, interest rate swaps, interest rate futures, total return swap contracts on various equity and debt indices and other derivative contracts to economically hedge exposures to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, interest rates and equity and debt prices. The Company reports its derivative instruments separately as assets and liabilities unless a legal right of set-off exists under a master netting agreement enforceable by law. The Company’s derivative instruments are recorded at their fair value, and are included in “other assets” and “other liabilities” on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Gains and losses on the Company’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments are included in “interest income” and “interest expense”, respectively, or “revenue-other”, depending on the nature of the underlying item, on the consolidated statements of operations.
	In addition to the derivative instruments described above, the Company records derivative liabilities relating to its obligations pertaining to Lazard Fund Interests awards and other similar deferred compensation arrangements, the fair value of which is based on the value of the underlying investments, adjusted for estimated forfeitures, and is included in “accrued compensation and benefits” in the consolidated statements of financial condition. Changes in the fair value of the derivative liabilities are included in “compensation and benefits” in the consolidated statements of operations, the impact of which equally offsets the changes in the fair value of investments which are currently expected to be delivered upon settlement of Lazard Fund Interests awards and other similar deferred compensation arrangements, which are reported in “revenue-other” in the consolidated statements of operations.

	The tables below present the fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments reported within “other assets” and “other liabilities” and the fair value of the Company’s derivative liabilities relating to its obligations pertaining to Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements (see Note 12 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements) on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:


			March 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Derivative Assets:
	Forward foreign currency exchange rate contracts		$	275		$	250
	Total return swaps and other (a)			–			432

			$	275		$	682

	Derivative Liabilities:
	Forward foreign currency exchange rate contracts		$	1,046		$	1,579
	Total return swaps and other (a)			4,688			–
	Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements			213,438			162,422

			$	219,172		$	164,001


	(a)	For total return swaps, amounts represent the netting of gross derivative assets and liabilities of $120 and $4,808 as of March 31, 2014, respectively, and $2,019 and $1,587 as of December 31, 2013, respectively, for contracts with the same counterparty under legally enforceable master netting agreements. Such amounts are recorded “net” in “other assets”, with receivables for net cash collateral under such contracts of $15,884 and $11,384 as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Net gains (losses) with respect to derivative instruments (predominantly reflected in “revenue-other”) and the Company’s derivative liabilities relating to its obligations pertaining to Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements (included in “compensation and benefits” expense) as reflected on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, were as follows:


			Three Months Ended
			March 31,
			2014			2013
	Forward foreign currency exchange rate contracts		$	(1,153	)	$	5,231
	Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements			(2,626	)		(3,725	)
	Total return swaps and other			(1,946	)		(4,108	)

			$	(5,725	)	$	(2,602	)

Property

Property	3 Months Ended
Property	Mar. 31, 2014
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property	'
	7	PROPERTY
	At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, property consists of the following:


			Estimated		March 31,		December 31,
			Depreciable		2014		2013
			Life in Years
	Buildings			33	$	173,735	$	173,772
	Leasehold improvements			20-Mar		176,369		175,600
	Furniture and equipment			10-Mar		151,311		149,598
	Construction in progress					4,490		3,756

	Total					505,905		502,726
	Less - Accumulated depreciation and amortization					262,928		253,930

	Property				$	242,977	$	248,796

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	8	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	The components of goodwill and other intangible assets at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are presented below:


			March 31,		December 31,
			2014		2013
	Goodwill		$	349,716	$	345,453
	Other intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization)			17,205		18,424

			$	366,921	$	363,877

	At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, goodwill of $285,175 and $280,912, respectively, was attributable to the Company’s Financial Advisory segment and, at each such respective date, $64,541 of goodwill was attributable to the Company’s Asset Management segment.
	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:


			Three Months Ended
			March 31,
			2014		2013
	Balance, January 1		$	345,453	$	364,328
	Business acquisitions			–		1,440
	Foreign currency translation adjustments			4,263		(119	)

	Balance, March 31		$	349,716	$	365,649


	The gross cost and accumulated amortization of other intangible assets as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, by major intangible asset category, are as follows:


			31-Mar-14							31-Dec-13
			Gross		Accumulated			Net		Gross		Accumulated		Net
			Cost		Amortization			Carrying		Cost		Amortization		Carrying
								Amount						Amount
	Success/performance fees		$	30,740	$	17,687		$	13,053	$	30,740	$	17,173	$	13,567
	Management fees, customer relationships and non-compete agreements			33,064		28,912			4,152		33,063		28,206		4,857

			$	63,804	$	46,599		$	17,205	$	63,803	$	45,379	$	18,424

	Amortization expense of intangible assets for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was $1,220 and $877, respectively. Estimated future amortization expense is as follows:


	Year Ending December 31,		Amortization
	Year Ending December 31,		Expense (a)
	2014 (April 1 through December 31)		$	5,591
	2015			6,433
	2016			5,181

	Total amortization expense		$	17,205


		(a)	Approximately 43% of intangible asset amortization is attributable to a noncontrolling interest.

Senior_and_Subordinated_Debt

Senior and Subordinated Debt

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Senior and Subordinated Debt

SENIOR AND SUBORDINATED DEBT

Senior Debt—Senior debt is comprised of the following as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

Initial

Maturity

Annual

Outstanding As of

Principal

Date

Interest

March 31,

December 31,

Amount

Rate

2014

2013

Lazard Group 6.85% Senior Notes

600,000

6/15/17

6.85

548,350

Lazard Group 4.25% Senior Notes

500,000

11/14/20

4.25

500,000

Lazard Group Credit Facility

150,000

9/25/15

0.78

–

Total

1,048,350

In November 2013, and in connection with Lazard Group’s redemption of $528,500 aggregate principal amount of its then outstanding 7.125% senior notes maturing on May 15, 2015 (the “2015 Notes”), Lazard Group issued $500,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.25% senior notes maturing on November 14, 2020 (the “2020 Notes”). Interest on the 2020 Notes is payable semi-annually on May 14 and November 14 of each year commencing on May 14, 2014.

On September 25, 2012, Lazard Group entered into a $150,000, three-year senior revolving credit facility with a group of lenders (the “Credit Facility”), which expires in September 2015. The Credit Facility replaced a similar revolving credit facility which was terminated as a condition to effectiveness of the Credit Facility. Interest rates under the Credit Facility vary and are based on either a Federal Funds rate or a Eurodollar rate, in each case plus an

applicable margin. As of March 31, 2014, the annual interest rate for a loan accruing interest (based on the Federal Funds overnight rate), including the applicable margin, was 0.78%. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, no amounts were outstanding under the Credit Facility.

The Credit Facility contains customary terms and conditions, including certain financial covenants. In addition, the Credit Facility, the indenture and the supplemental indentures relating to Lazard Group’s senior notes contain certain covenants, events of default and other customary provisions, including a customary make-whole provision in the event of early redemption, where applicable. As of March 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with such provisions. All of the Company’s senior debt obligations are unsecured.

As of March 31, 2014, the Company had approximately $258,000 in unused lines of credit available to it, including the Credit Facility, and unused lines of credit available to LFB of approximately $48,000 (at March 31, 2014 exchange rates) and Edgewater of $55,000. In addition, LFB has access to the Eurosystem Covered Bond Purchase Program of the Banque de France.

The Company’s senior debt at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 is carried at historical amounts. At those dates, the fair value of such senior debt was approximately $1,140,000 and $1,117,000, respectively, and exceeded the aggregate carrying value by approximately $92,000 and $69,000, respectively. The fair value of the Company’s senior debt is based on market quotations. The Company’s senior debt would be categorized within Level 2 of the hierarchy of fair value measurements if carried at fair value.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	10	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Leases—The Company has various leases and other contractual commitments arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the fulfillment of such commitments, in accordance with their terms, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
	Guarantees—In the normal course of business, LFB provides indemnifications to third parties to protect them in the event of non-performance by its clients. At March 31, 2014, LFB had $5,908 of such indemnifications and held $5,255 of collateral/counter-guarantees to secure these commitments. The Company believes the likelihood of loss with respect to these indemnities is remote. Accordingly, no liability is recorded in the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition.
	Certain Business Transactions—On July 15, 2009, the Company established a private equity business with Edgewater. Edgewater manages funds primarily focused on buy-out and growth equity investments in middle market companies. The acquisition was structured as a purchase by Lazard Group of interests in a holding company that in turn owns interests in the general partner and management company entities of the current Edgewater private equity funds (the “Edgewater Acquisition”). Following the Edgewater Acquisition, Edgewater’s leadership team retained a substantial economic interest in such entities.
	The aggregate fair value of the consideration recognized by the Company at the acquisition date was $61,624. Such consideration consisted of (i) a one-time cash payment, (ii) 1,142,857 shares of Class A common stock (the “Initial Shares”) and (iii) up to 1,142,857 additional shares of Class A common stock (the “Earnout Shares”) that are subject to earnout criteria and payable over time. The Initial Shares are subject to forfeiture provisions that lapse only upon the achievement of certain performance thresholds and transfer restrictions during the four year period ending December 2014. The Earnout Shares will be issued only if certain performance thresholds are met. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, of the Initial Shares and Earnout Shares, 1,371,992 shares have been earned because applicable performance thresholds have been satisfied. Such shares are no longer subject to any contingencies. As of December 31, 2013, 1,029,006 of such shares have been settled, and no additional shares have been settled as of March 31, 2014.
	Contingent Consideration Relating To Other Business Acquisitions—For a business acquired in 2012, at December 31, 2012, 170,988 shares of Class A common stock (including dividend equivalent shares) were issuable on a non-contingent basis. Such shares were delivered in the first quarter of 2013. The Company is obligated to issue a maximum of 202,650 additional shares of Class A common stock if certain performance thresholds are achieved.
	Other Commitments—In the normal course of business, LFB enters into commitments to extend credit, predominately at variable interest rates. These commitments have varying expiration dates, are fully collateralized and generally contain requirements for the counterparty to maintain a minimum collateral level. These commitments may not represent future cash requirements as they may expire without being drawn upon. At March 31, 2014, these commitments were not material.
	See Notes 5 and 13 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding commitments relating to investment capital funding commitments and obligations to fund our pension plans, respectively.
	The Company has various other contractual commitments arising in the ordinary course of business. In addition, from time to time, LFB enters into underwriting commitments in which it participates as a joint underwriter. The settlement of such transactions are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. At March 31, 2014, LFB had no such underwriting commitments.
	In the opinion of management, the fulfillment of the commitments described herein will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
	Legal—The Company is involved from time to time in judicial, regulatory and arbitration proceedings and inquiries concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of our businesses, including proceedings initiated by former employees alleging wrongful termination. The Company reviews such matters on a case-by-case basis and establishes any required accrual if a loss is probable and the amount of such loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company experiences significant variation in its revenue and earnings on a quarterly basis. Accordingly, the results of any pending matter or matters could be significant when compared to the Company’s earnings in any particular fiscal quarter. The Company believes, however, based on currently available information, that the results of any pending matters, in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on its business or financial condition.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
Stockholders' Equity	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	11	STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Lazard Group Distributions—As previously described, Lazard Group’s common membership interests are held by subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd and by LAZ-MD Holdings. Pursuant to provisions of the Operating Agreement, Lazard Group distributions in respect of its common membership interests are allocated to the holders of such interests on a pro rata basis. Such distributions represent amounts necessary to fund (i) any dividends Lazard Ltd may declare on its Class A common stock and (ii) tax distributions in respect of income taxes that Lazard Ltd’s subsidiaries and the members of LAZ-MD Holdings incur as a result of holding Lazard Group common membership interests.

	During the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, Lazard Group distributed the following amounts to LAZ-MD Holdings and the subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd (none of which related to tax distributions):


			Three Months Ended
			March 31,
			2014			2013
	LAZ-MD Holdings		$	213		$	–
	Subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd			35,917			–

			$	36,130		$	–

	Pursuant to Lazard Group’s Operating Agreement, Lazard Group allocates and distributes to its members a substantial portion of its distributable profits in installments, as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year. Such installment distributions usually begin in February.
	See “Noncontrolling Interests” below for additional information regarding Lazard Ltd’s and LAZ-MD Holdings’ ownership interests in Lazard Group.
	Share Repurchase Program—During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Board of Directors of Lazard Ltd authorized the repurchase of Class A common stock and Lazard Group common membership interests as set forth in the table below.


	Date		Share			Expiration
			Repurchase
			Authorization
	February, 2011		$	250,000			December 31, 2012
	October, 2011		$	125,000			31-Dec-13
	April, 2012		$	125,000			31-Dec-13
	October, 2012		$	200,000			31-Dec-14
	October, 2013		$	100,000			31-Dec-15
	The Company expects that the share repurchase program, with respect to the Class A common stock, will primarily be used to offset a portion of the shares that have been or will be issued under the Lazard Ltd 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”) and the Lazard Ltd 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2008 Plan”). Pursuant to the share repurchase program, purchases have been made in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. Purchases with respect to such program are set forth in the table below:


			Number of			Average
			Shares/Common			Price Per
			Membership			Share/Common
			Interests Purchased			Membership
						Interest
	Three Months Ended March 31:

	2013			831,157		$	36.3
	2014			2,392,674		$	44.69
	As of March 31, 2014, a total of $14,654 of share repurchase authorization remained available under the Company’s share repurchase program, which will expire on December 31, 2015.
	In April 2014, the Board of Directors of Lazard Ltd authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $200,000 in aggregate cost of Class A common stock and Lazard Group common membership interests through December 31, 2015.

	Preferred Stock—Lazard Ltd has 15,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, inclusive of its Series A and Series B preferred stock. Series A and Series B preferred shares were issued in connection with certain prior year business acquisitions and are each non-participating securities convertible into Class A common stock, and have no voting or dividend rights. As of both March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, 7,921 shares of Series A preferred stock were outstanding, and no shares of Series B preferred stock were outstanding. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, no shares of Series A preferred stock were convertible into shares of Class A common stock on a contingent or a non-contingent basis.
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax *(“AOCI”)*—The tables below reflect changes in the balances of each component of AOCI during the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:


			Currency			Employee				Total				Amount				Total
			Translation			Benefit				AOCI				Attributable to				Lazard Ltd
			Adjustments			Plans								Noncontrolling				AOCI
														Interests
	Balance, January 1, 2014		$	3,869		$	(137,431	)		$	(133,562	)		$	(558	)		$	(133,004	)

	Activity January 1 to March 31, 2014:
	Other comprehensive gain (loss) before reclassifications			5,913			(557	)			5,356				17				5,339
	Adjustments for items reclassified to earnings, net of tax			–			1,289				1,289				7				1,282

	Net other comprehensive income			5,913			732				6,645				24				6,621

	Balance, March 31, 2014		$	9,782		$	(136,699	)		$	(126,917	)		$	(534	)		$	(126,383	)



			Currency			Interest				Employee				Total				Amount				Total
Translation			Rate			Benefit				AOCI				Attributable to				Lazard Ltd
Adjustments			Hedge			Plans								Noncontrolling				AOCI
														Interests
Balance, January 1, 2013			$	19,405		$	(2,502	)		$	(128,536	)		$	(111,633	)		$	(1,092	)		$	(110,541	)

Activity January 1 to March 31, 2013:
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications			(12,433	)		–				(3,423	)			(15,856	)			(175	)			(15,681	)
Adjustments for items reclassified to earnings, net of tax			–			264				1,218				1,482				18				1,464

Net other comprehensive income (loss)			(12,433	)		264				(2,205	)			(14,374	)			(157	)			(14,217	)

Balance, March 31, 2013		$	6,972		$	(2,238	)		$	(130,741	)		$	(126,007	)		$	(1,249	)		$	(124,758	)


The table below reflects adjustments for items reclassified out of AOCI, by component, for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:


		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
Amortization of interest rate hedge (a)		$	–		$	264

Amortization relating to employee benefit plans (b)			1,821			1,620
Less – related income taxes			532			402

Net of tax			1,289			1,218

Total reclassifications, net of tax		$	1,289		$	1,482


(a)	Included in “interest expense” on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
(b)	Included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (see Note 13 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements). Such amount is included in “compensation and benefits” expense on the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
Noncontrolling Interests—Noncontrolling interests principally represent interests held in (i) Lazard Group by LAZ-MD Holdings and (ii) Edgewater’s management vehicles that the Company is deemed to control, but does not own.
The following table summarizes the ownership interests in Lazard Group held by Lazard Ltd and LAZ-MD Holdings:


		Lazard Ltd							LAZ-MD Holdings								Total
																	Lazard Group
																	Common
																	Membership
As of March 31:		Common			%				Common				%				Interests
		Membership			Ownership				Membership				Ownership
		Interests							Interests
2013			128,216,423			98.8	%			1,549,667				1.2	%			129,766,090
2014			129,056,081			99.5	%			710,009				0.5	%			129,766,090
The change in Lazard Ltd’s ownership in Lazard Group in the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 did not materially impact Lazard Ltd’s stockholders’ equity.
The tables below summarize net income attributable to noncontrolling interests for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 and noncontrolling interests as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements:


		Net Income
		Attributable to Noncontrolling
		Interests
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
Edgewater		$	4,120		$	2,366
LAZ-MD Holdings			467			192
Other			–			(269	)

Total		$	4,587		$	2,289



		Noncontrolling Interests As Of
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
Edgewater		$	66,849		$	66,641
LAZ-MD Holdings			2,168			2,566
Other			780			582

Total		$	69,797		$	69,789

Dividend Declared, April 2014—On April 30, 2014, Lazard Ltd announced a quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share on its Class A common stock, payable on May 23, 2014, to stockholders of record on May 12, 2014.

Incentive_Plans

Incentive Plans	3 Months Ended
Incentive Plans	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Incentive Plans	'
	12	INCENTIVE PLANS
	Share-Based Incentive Plan Awards
	A description of Lazard Ltd’s 2005 Plan and 2008 Plan and activity with respect thereto during the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, is presented below.
	Shares Available Under the 2005 Plan and 2008 Plan
	The 2005 Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 25,000,000 shares of Class A common stock pursuant to the grant or exercise of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and other equity-based awards. Each stock unit or similar award granted under the 2005 Plan represents a contingent right to receive one share of Class A common stock, at no cost to the recipient. The fair value of such awards is generally determined based on the closing market price of Class A common stock at the date of grant.
	In addition to the shares available under the 2005 Plan, additional shares of Class A common stock are available under the 2008 Plan. The maximum number of shares available under the 2008 Plan is based on a formula that limits the aggregate number of shares that may, at any time, be subject to awards that are considered “outstanding” under the 2008 Plan to 30% of the then-outstanding shares of Class A common stock (treating, for this purpose, the then-outstanding exchangeable interests of LAZ-MD Holdings on a “fully-exchanged” basis as described in the 2008 Plan).
	The following reflects the amortization expense recorded with respect to share-based incentive plans within “compensation and benefits” expense (with respect to RSUs, performance-based restricted stock units (“PRSUs”) and restricted stock awards) and “professional services” expense (with respect to deferred stock units (“DSUs”)) within the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:


			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2014				2013
	Share-based incentive awards:
	RSUs (a)		$	52,285			$	64,942
	PRSUs			1,798				438
	Restricted Stock (b)			6,612				5,261
	DSUs			102				71

	Total		$	60,797			$	70,712


	(a)	Includes, during the three month period ended March 31, 2013, charges relating to the cost saving initiatives of $4,455 (see Note 14 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).
	(b)	Includes, during the three month period ended March 31, 2013, charges relating to the cost saving initiatives of $233.
	The ultimate amount of compensation and benefits expense relating to share-based awards is dependent upon the actual number of shares of Class A common stock that vest. The Company periodically assesses the forfeiture rates used for such estimates. A change in estimated forfeiture rates results in a cumulative adjustment to previously recorded compensation and benefits expense and also would cause the aggregate amount of compensation expense recognized in future periods to differ from the estimated unrecognized compensation expense described below.
	For purposes of calculating diluted net income per share, RSU and restricted stock awards are included in the diluted weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding using the “treasury stock” method. PRSUs are included in the diluted weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding to the extent the performance conditions are met at the end of the reporting period, also using the “treasury stock” method.
	The Company’s incentive plans are described below.
	RSUs and DSUs
	RSUs generally require future service as a condition for the delivery of the underlying shares of Class A common stock (unless the recipient is then eligible for retirement under the Company’s retirement policy) and convert into shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis after the stipulated vesting periods. PRSUs, which are RSUs that are also subject to service-based vesting conditions, have additional conditions, and are described below. The grant date fair value of the RSUs, net of an estimated forfeiture rate, is amortized over the vesting periods or requisite service periods (generally one-third after two years, and the remaining two-thirds after the third year), and is adjusted for actual forfeitures over such period.
	RSUs generally include a dividend participation right that provides that during vesting periods each RSU is attributed additional RSUs (or fractions thereof) equivalent to any dividends paid on Class A common stock during such period. During the three month period ended March 31, 2014, issuances of RSUs pertaining to such dividend participation rights and respective charges to “retained earnings”, net of estimated forfeitures, (with corresponding credits to “additional paid-in-capital”), consisted of the following:


			Three Months Ended
			March 31, 2014
	Number of RSUs issued			115,297
	Charges to retained earnings, net of estimated forfeitures		$	5,013
	Non-executive members of the Board of Directors (“Non-Executive Directors”) receive approximately 55% of their annual compensation for service on the Board of Directors and its committees in the form of DSUs. No such DSUs were granted in connection with annual compensation during the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. Their remaining compensation is payable in cash, which they may elect to receive in the form of additional DSUs under the Directors’ Fee Deferral Unit Plan described below. DSUs are convertible into shares of Class A common stock at the time of cessation of service to the Board and, for purposes of calculating diluted net income per share, are included in the diluted weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding using the “treasury stock” method. DSUs include a cash dividend participation right equivalent to any ordinary quarterly dividends paid on Class A common stock, and resulted in nominal cash payments for the three month period ended March 31, 2014.
	The Company’s Directors’ Fee Deferral Unit Plan permits the Non-Executive Directors to elect to receive additional DSUs pursuant to the 2005 Plan in lieu of some or all of their cash fees. The number of DSUs that shall be granted to a Non-Executive Director pursuant to this election will equal the value of cash fees that the applicable Non-Executive Director has elected to forego pursuant to such election, divided by the market value of a share of Class A common stock on the date immediately preceding the date of the grant. During the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, 2,310 and 1,886 DSUs, respectively, had been granted pursuant to such Plan.
	DSU awards are expensed at their fair value on their date of grant, inclusive of amounts related to the Directors’ Fee Deferral Unit Plan.
	The following is a summary of activity relating to RSUs and DSUs during the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:


			RSUs						DSUs
			Units				Weighted		Units		Weighted
							Average				Average
							Grant Date				Grant Date
							Fair Value				Fair Value
	Balance, January 1, 2014			16,630,009			$	34.51		251,434	$	32.02
	Granted (including 115,297 RSUs relating to dividend participation)			3,492,223			$	43		2,310	$	44.35
	Forfeited			(21,301	)		$	34.61		–		–
	Vested			(6,317,612	)		$	38.04		–		–

	Balance, March 31, 2014			13,783,319			$	35.04		253,744	$	32.13


	Balance, January 1, 2013			21,481,131			$	33.92		204,496	$	31.47
	Granted			4,297,664			$	37.33		1,886	$	37.6
	Forfeited			(45,907	)		$	36.12		–		–
	Vested			(8,268,744	)		$	34.97		–		–

	Balance, March 31, 2013			17,464,144			$	34.26		206,382	$	31.52

	In connection with RSUs that vested during the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company satisfied its minimum statutory tax withholding requirements in lieu of issuing 1,843,389 and 3,231,285 shares of Class A common stock in the respective three month periods. Accordingly, 4,474,223 and 5,037,459 shares of Class A common stock held by the Company were delivered during the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	During the fourth quarter of 2012, 958,213 RSUs were modified through forward purchase agreements into liability awards. Such liability awards were settled on March 1, 2013 for $28,612. During the three month period ended March 31, 2013, compensation expense of $1,690 was recorded for such liability awards.

As of March 31, 2014, unrecognized RSU compensation expense, adjusted for estimated forfeitures, was approximately $267,421, with such expense expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.6 years subsequent to March 31, 2014.
Restricted Stock
The following is a summary of activity related to shares of restricted Class A common stock associated with compensation arrangements during the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:


		Restricted				Weighted
		Shares				Average
						Grant Date
						Fair Value
Balance, January 1, 2014			575,054			$	32.72
Granted			449,344			$	45.52
Vested			(205,075	)		$	35.23

Balance, March 31, 2014			819,323			$	39.11


Balance, January 1, 2013			1,972,609			$	34.85
Granted			388,763			$	36.73
Forfeited			(3,269	)		$	36.64
Vested			(1,715,275	)		$	36.04

Balance, March 31, 2013			642,828			$	32.81

In connection with shares of restricted Class A common stock that vested during the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company satisfied its minimum statutory tax withholding requirements in lieu of delivering 29,999 and 12,308 shares of Class A common stock during the respective three month periods. Accordingly, 175,076 and 1,702,967 shares of Class A common stock held by the Company were delivered during the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The restricted stock awards include a cash dividend participation right equivalent to any ordinary quarterly dividends paid on Class A common stock during the period, which will vest concurrently with the underlying restricted stock award. At March 31, 2014, unrecognized restricted stock expense was approximately $20,657, with such expense to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.9 years subsequent to March 31, 2014.
PRSUs
PRSUs are subject to both performance-based and service-based vesting conditions. The number of shares of Class A common stock that a recipient will receive upon vesting of a PRSU will be calculated by reference to certain performance metrics that relate to the Company’s performance over a three-year period. The target number of shares of Class A common stock subject to each PRSU is one; however, based on the achievement of the performance criteria, the number of shares of Class A common stock that may be received in connection with each PRSU can range from zero to two times the target number (or, for PRSUs granted in 2013, three times the target number in the event of a substantial increase in fiscal year 2014 revenue (adjusted for certain items)). The PRSUs granted in 2014 will vest on a single date three years following the date of the grant and the PRSUs granted in 2013 will vest 33% in March 2015 and 67% in March 2016, in each case provided the applicable service and performance conditions are satisfied. In addition, the performance metrics applicable to each PRSU will be evaluated on an annual basis at the end of each fiscal year during the performance period and, if the Company has achieved a threshold level of performance with respect to the fiscal year, 25% of the target number of shares of Class A common stock subject to each PRSU will no longer be at risk of forfeiture based on the achievement of performance criteria. PRSUs include dividend participation rights that provide that during vesting periods the target number of PRSUs receive dividend equivalents at the same rate that dividends are paid on Class A common stock during such period. These dividend equivalents are credited as RSUs that are not subject to the performance-based vesting criteria but are otherwise subject to the same restrictions as the underlying PRSUs to which they relate.
The following is a summary of activity relating to PRSUs during the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 at the target level:


		PRSUs				Weighted
						Average
						Grant Date
						Fair Value
Balance, January 1, 2014			448,128			$	36.11
Granted			360,783			$	44.46

Balance, March 31, 2014			808,911			$	39.83

Balance, January 1, 2013			–				–
Granted			448,128			$	36.11

Balance, March 31, 2013			448,128			$	36.11

Compensation expense recognized for PRSU awards is determined by multiplying the number of shares of Class A common stock underlying such awards that, based on the Company’s estimate, are considered probable of vesting, by the grant date fair value. As of March 31, 2014, the total estimated unrecognized compensation expense was approximately $33,673, and the Company expects to amortize such expense over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.0 years subsequent to March 31, 2014.
Lazard Fund Interests and Other Similar Deferred Compensation Arrangements
Commencing in February 2011, the Company granted Lazard Fund Interests to eligible employees. In connection with the Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements, which generally require future service as a condition for vesting, the Company recorded a prepaid compensation asset and a corresponding compensation liability on the grant date based upon the fair value of the award. The prepaid asset is amortized on a straight-line basis over the applicable vesting periods or requisite service periods (which are generally similar to the comparable periods for RSUs), and is charged to “compensation and benefits” expense within the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. Lazard Fund Interests and similar deferred compensation arrangements that do not require future service are expensed immediately. The related compensation liability is accounted for at fair value as a derivative liability, which contemplates the impact of estimated forfeitures, and is adjusted for changes in fair value primarily related to changes in value of the underlying investments.

The following is a summary of activity relating to Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements during the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:


		Prepaid				Compensation
		Compensation				Liability
		Asset
Balance, January 1, 2014		$	60,433			$	162,422
Granted			92,711				92,711
Settled			–				(45,450	)
Forfeited			(9	)			(2	)
Amortization			(19,407	)			–
Change in fair value related to:
Increase in fair value of underlying investments			–				2,626
Adjustment for estimated forfeitures			–				899
Other			116				232

Balance, March 31, 2014		$	133,844			$	213,438



		Prepaid				Compensation
		Compensation				Liability
		Asset
Balance, January 1, 2013		$	47,445			$	97,593
Granted			72,182				72,182
Settled			–				(14,832	)
Forfeited			(309	)			(396	)
Amortization			(12,488	)			–
Change in fair value related to:
Increase in fair value of underlying investments			–				3,725
Adjustment for estimated forfeitures			–				648
Other			-106				(111	)

Balance, March 31, 2013		$	106,724			$	158,809

The amortization of the prepaid compensation asset will generally be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.2 years subsequent to March 31, 2014.
The following is a summary of the impact of Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements on “compensation and benefits” expense within the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:


		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014				2013
Amortization, net of forfeitures (a)		$	20,313			$	13,049
Change in the fair value of underlying investments			2,626				3,725

Total		$	22,939			$	16,774


(a)	Includes, during the three month period ended March 31, 2013, charges relating to the cost saving initiatives of $917.

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	3 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans	Mar. 31, 2014
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Employee Benefit Plans	'
	13	EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
	The Company provides retirement and other post-retirement benefits to certain of its employees through defined benefit pension plans (the “pension plans”) and, in the U.S., a partially funded contributory post-retirement plan covering qualifying U.S. employees (the “medical plan” and together with the pension plans, the “post-retirement plans”). The Company also offers defined contribution plans. The post-retirement plans generally provide benefits to participants based on average levels of compensation. Expenses related to the Company’s employee benefit plans are included in “compensation and benefits” expense on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
	Employer Contributions to Pension Plans—The Company’s funding policy for its U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans is to fund when required or when applicable upon an agreement with the plans’ Trustees. Management also evaluates from time to time whether to make voluntary contributions to the plans. The Company did not make a contribution to the U.S. pension plans during the three month period ended March 31, 2014.
	On April 30, 2012, the Company and the Trustees of the U.K. pension plans concluded the December 31, 2010 triennial valuations of the plans. In connection with such valuations and a previously negotiated agreement with the Trustees, the Company and the Trustees agreed upon pension funding terms (the “agreement”) (which superseded the terms of an agreement reached in June 2009 with respect to the previous triennial valuation as of December 31, 2007) whereby the Company: (i) made a contribution in December 2011 to the plans of 2.3 million British pounds ($3,687 at December 31, 2011 exchange rates) from a previously established escrow account, (ii) agreed to make contributions of 1 million British pounds during each year from 2012 through 2020 inclusive and (iii) amended the previous escrow arrangement into an account security arrangement covering 10.2 million British pounds, committing to make annual contributions of 1 million British pounds into such account security arrangement during each year from 2014 through 2020 inclusive. It was further agreed that, to the extent that the value of the plans’ assets falls short of the funding target for June 1, 2020 that has been agreed upon with the Trustees, the assets from the account security arrangement would be released into the plans at that date. Additionally, the Company agreed to fund the expenses of administering the plans, including certain regulator levies and the cost of other professional advisors to the plans. The terms of the agreement are subject to adjustment based on the results of subsequent triennial valuations. The aggregate amount in the account security arrangement was approximately $17,000 and $16,900 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and has been recorded in “cash deposited with clearing organizations and other segregated cash” on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Income on the account security arrangement accretes to the Company and is recorded in interest income.
	During the three month period ended March 31, 2014, no contribution to these U.K. pension plans was required to be made. Contributions were made to other non-U.S. pension plans of approximately $4,800.

	The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) related to the Company’s post-retirement plans for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:


			Pension Plans						Medical Plan
			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Components of Net Benefit Cost (Credit):
	Service cost		$	223		$	314		$	12		$	10
	Interest cost			7,531			6,753			53			47
	Expected return on plan assets			(8,079	)		(6,797	)		–			–
	Amortization of:
	Prior service cost			733			706			–			–
	Net actuarial loss			1,111			914			(23	)		–

	Net benefit cost		$	1,519		$	1,890		$	42		$	57

Cost_Saving_Initiatives

Cost Saving Initiatives	3 Months Ended
Cost Saving Initiatives	Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Cost Saving Initiatives	'
	14	COST SAVING INITIATIVES
	Cost Saving Initiatives—In October 2012, the Company announced cost saving initiatives (the “Cost Saving Initiatives”) relating to the Company’s operations. These initiatives include streamlining our corporate structure and consolidating support functions; realigning our investments into areas with potential for the greatest long-term return; the settlement of certain contractual obligations; reducing occupancy costs; and creating greater flexibility to retain and attract the best people and invest in new growth areas.
	Expenses associated with the implementation of the Cost Saving Initiatives were completed during the second quarter of 2013. The Company incurred these expenses, by segment, as reflected in the tables below:


			Financial			Asset			Corporate			Total
			Advisory			Management			Corporate			Total
	Three Month Period Ended March 31, 2013:
	Compensation and benefits		$	20,394		$	236		$	4,041		$	24,671
	Other			1,621			(1	)		31			1,651

	Total		$	22,015		$	235		$	4,072		$	26,322


			Financial			Asset			Corporate			Total
			Advisory			Management			Corporate			Total
	Cumulative October 2012 Through
	March 31, 2013:
	Compensation and benefits		$	96,527		$	12,292		$	15,839		$	124,658
	Other			3,020			732			488			4,240

	Total		$	99,547		$	13,024		$	16,327		$	128,898


	Activity related to the obligations pursuant to the Cost Saving Initiatives during the three month period ended March 31, 2014 was as follows:


			Accrued			Other			Total
			Compensation			Liabilities
			and Benefits
	Balance, January 1, 2014		$	11,860		$	5,356		$	17,216
	Less:
	Settlements			(2,390	)		–			(2,390	)

	Balance, March 31, 2014		$	9,470		$	5,356		$	14,826

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	15	INCOME TAXES
	As a result of its indirect investment in Lazard Group, Lazard Ltd, through certain of its subsidiaries, is subject to U.S. federal income taxes on its portion of Lazard Group’s operating income. Although a portion of Lazard Group’s income is subject to U.S. federal income taxes, Lazard Group primarily operates in the U.S. as a limited liability company that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, Lazard Group’s income from its U.S. operations is generally not subject to U.S. federal income taxes because such income is attributable to its partners. In addition, Lazard Group is subject to New York City Unincorporated Business Tax (“UBT”) which is attributable to Lazard Group’s operations apportioned to New York City. UBT is incremental to the U.S. federal statutory tax rate. Outside the U.S., Lazard Group operates principally through subsidiary corporations that are subject to local income taxes.
	The Company recorded income tax provisions of $21,751 and $3,948 for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, representing effective tax rates of 20.3% and 18.3%, respectively. The difference between the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35.0% and the effective tax rates reflected above principally relates to (i) Lazard Group primarily operating as a limited liability company in the U.S., (ii) taxes payable to
	foreign jurisdictions that are not offset against U.S. income taxes, (iii) foreign source income (loss) not subject to U.S. income taxes (including interest on intercompany financings), (iv) change in the U.S. federal valuation allowance affecting the provision for income taxes, (v) Lazard Group’s income from U.S. operations attributable to noncontrolling interests, and (vi) U.S. state and local taxes (primarily UBT), which are incremental to the U.S. federal statutory tax rate.
	Substantially all of Lazard’s foreign operations are conducted in “pass-through” entities for U.S. income tax purposes and the Company provides for U.S. income taxes on a current basis for substantially all of those earnings. The repatriation of prior earnings attributable to “non-pass-through” entities would not result in the recognition of a material amount of additional U.S. income taxes.
	Tax Receivable Agreement
	The redemption of historical partner interests in connection with the Company’s separation and recapitalization that occurred in May 2005 and the subsequent exchanges of LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests for shares of Class A common stock have resulted, and future exchanges of LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests for shares of Class A common stock may result, in increases in the tax basis of the tangible and/or intangible assets of Lazard Group. The tax receivable agreement dated as of May 10, 2005 with LFCM Holdings LLC (“LFCM Holdings”, see Note 17 below) requires the Company to pay LFCM Holdings 85% of the cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income tax or franchise tax that the Company actually realizes as a result of these increases in tax basis. The Company calculates this provision annually and includes such amounts in operating expenses on its consolidated statements of operations once the results of operations for the full year are known. If any provision is required pursuant to the tax receivable agreement, such amount would be fully offset by a reduction in the Company’s income tax expense.

Net_Income_Per_Share_of_Class_

Net Income Per Share of Class A Common Stock	3 Months Ended
Net Income Per Share of Class A Common Stock	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Net Income Per Share of Class A Common Stock	'
	16	NET INCOME PER SHARE OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK
	The Company’s basic and diluted net income per share calculations for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 are computed as described below.
	Basic Net Income Per Share
	Numerator—utilizes net income attributable to Lazard Ltd for the respective years, plus applicable adjustments to such net income associated with the inclusion of shares of Class A common stock issuable on a non-contingent basis.
	Denominator—utilizes the weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding for the respective years, plus applicable adjustments to such shares associated with shares of Class A common stock issuable on a non-contingent basis.
	Diluted Net Income Per Share
	Numerator—utilizes net income attributable to Lazard Ltd for the respective years as in the basic net income per share calculation described above, plus, to the extent applicable and dilutive, (i) interest expense on convertible debt, (ii) changes in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests resulting from assumed Class A common stock issuances in connection with share-based incentive compensation, convertible debt and convertible preferred stock and, on an “as-if-exchanged” basis, amounts applicable to LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests and (iii) income tax related to (i) and (ii) above.
	Denominator—utilizes the weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding for the respective years as in the basic net income per share calculation described above, plus, to the extent dilutive, the incremental number of shares of Class A common stock to settle share-based incentive compensation, convertible debt, convertible preferred stock and LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests, using the “treasury stock” method, the “if converted” method or the “as-if-exchanged” basis, as applicable.

	The calculations of the Company’s basic and diluted net income per share and weighted average shares outstanding for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 are presented below:


			Three Months Ended
			March 31,
			2014		2013
	Net income attributable to Lazard Ltd		$	80,842	$	15,360
	Add (deduct) - adjustment associated with Class A common stock issuable on a non-contingent basis			–		–

	Net income attributable to Lazard Ltd - basic			80,842		15,360
	Add - dilutive effect, as applicable, of:
	Adjustments to income relating to interest expense and changes in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests resulting from assumed Class A common stock issuances in connection with share-based incentive compensation and exchangeable interests, net of tax			433		182

	Net income attributable to Lazard Ltd - diluted		$	81,275	$	15,542


	Weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding			121,361,210		116,921,983
	Add - adjustment for shares of Class A common stock issuable on a non-contingent basis			414,997		786,221

	Weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding - basic			121,776,207		117,708,204
	Add - dilutive effect, as applicable, of:
	Weighted average number of incremental shares of Class A common stock issuable from share-based incentive compensation and exchangeable interests			12,249,784		15,107,356

	Weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding - diluted			134,025,991		132,815,560

	Net income attributable to Lazard Ltd per share of Class A common stock:
	Basic			$0.66		$0.13

	Diluted			$0.61		$0.12

Related_Parties

Related Parties	3 Months Ended
Related Parties	Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Parties	'
	17	RELATED PARTIES
	Amounts receivable from, and payable to, related parties are set forth below:


			March 31,		December 31,
			2014		2013
	Receivables
	LFCM Holdings		$	4,067	$	7,794
	Other			118		126

	Total		$	4,185	$	7,920

	Payables
	LFCM Holdings		$	1,663	$	4,300
	Other			919		731

	Total		$	2,582	$	5,031

	LFCM Holdings
	LFCM Holdings owns and operates the capital markets business and fund management activities, as well as other specified non-operating assets and liabilities, that were transferred to it by Lazard Group (referred to as the “separated businesses”) in May 2005 and is owned by former and current managing directors (which also include the Company’s executive officers) who were or are also members of LAZ-MD Holdings. In addition to the master separation agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and among Lazard Ltd, Lazard Group, LAZ-MD Holdings and LFCM Holdings (the “master separation agreement”), which effected the separation and recapitalization that occurred in May 2005, LFCM Holdings entered into certain agreements that addressed various business matters associated with the separation, including agreements related to administrative and support services (the “administrative services agreement”), employee benefits, insurance matters and licensing. In addition, LFCM Holdings and Lazard Group entered into a business alliance agreement (the “business alliance agreement”). Certain of these agreements are described in more detail in the Company’s Form 10-K.
	For the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, amounts recorded by Lazard Group relating to the administrative services agreement amounted to $369 and $632, respectively, and net referral fees for underwriting, private placement, M&A and restructuring transactions under the business alliance agreement amounted to $543 and $500, respectively. Amounts relating to the administrative services agreement are reported as reductions to operating expenses. Net referral fees for underwriting transactions under the business alliance agreement are reported in “revenue-other”. Net referral fees for private placement, M&A and restructuring transactions under the business alliance agreement are reported in advisory fee revenue.
	Receivables from LFCM Holdings and its subsidiaries as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 include $2,967 and $3,112, respectively, related to administrative and support services and other receivables which include sublease income and reimbursement of expenses incurred on behalf of LFCM Holdings, and $1,100 and $4,682, respectively, related to referral fees for underwriting and private placement transactions. Payables to LFCM Holdings and its subsidiaries at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 include $414 and $3,051, respectively, primarily relating to referral fees for Financial Advisory transactions, and, at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, $1,249 related to obligations pursuant to the tax receivable agreement (see Note 15 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).

	Other
	Other payables at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 primarily relate to referral fees for M&A and restructuring transactions with MBA Lazard Holdings S.A. and its affiliates, an Argentina-based group in which the Company has a 50% ownership interest.
	LAZ-MD Holdings
	Lazard Group provides certain administrative and support services to LAZ-MD Holdings through the administrative services agreement as discussed above, with such services generally to be provided until December 31, 2014 unless terminated earlier because of a change in control of either party. Lazard Group charges LAZ-MD Holdings for these services based on Lazard Group’s cost allocation methodology and, for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, such charges amounted to $250 for each period.

Regulatory_Authorities

Regulatory Authorities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Banking And Thrift [Abstract]	'
Regulatory Authorities	'
	18	REGULATORY AUTHORITIES
	LFNY is a U.S. registered broker-dealer and is subject to the net capital requirements of Rule 15c3-1 under the Exchange Act. Under the basic method permitted by this rule, the minimum required net capital, as defined, is a specified fixed percentage (6 ²/₃%) of total aggregate indebtedness recorded in LFNY’s Financial and Operational Combined Uniform Single (“FOCUS”) report filed with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), or $100, whichever is greater. At March 31, 2014, LFNY’s regulatory net capital was $100,252, which exceeded the minimum requirement by $97,110.
	Certain U.K. subsidiaries of the Company, including LCL, Lazard Fund Managers Limited and Lazard Asset Management Limited (the “U.K. Subsidiaries”) are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. At March 31, 2014, the aggregate regulatory net capital of the U.K. Subsidiaries was $92,574, which exceeded the minimum requirement by $75,634.
	CFLF, under which asset management and commercial banking activities are carried out in France, is subject to regulation by the ACPR for its banking activities conducted through its subsidiary, LFB. The investment services activities of the Paris group, exercised through LFB and other subsidiaries of CFLF, primarily LFG (asset management), also are subject to regulation and supervision by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. At March 31, 2014, the consolidated regulatory net capital of CFLF was $140,872, which exceeded the minimum requirement set for regulatory capital levels by $105,079. In addition, pursuant to the consolidated supervision rules in the European Union, LFB, in particular, as a French credit institution, is required to be supervised by a regulatory body, either in the U.S. or in the European Union. During the third quarter of 2013, the Company and the ACPR agreed on terms for the consolidated supervision of LFB and certain other non-financial advisory European subsidiaries of the Company (referred to herein, on a combined basis, as the “combined European regulated group”) under such rules. Under this new supervision, the combined European regulated group is required to comply with periodic financial, regulatory net capital and other reporting obligations. Additionally, the combined European regulated group, together with our European financial advisory entities, is required to perform an annual risk assessment and provide certain other information on a periodic basis, including financial reports and information relating to financial performance, balance sheet data and capital structure (which is similar to the information that the Company had already been providing informally). This new supervision under, and provision of information to, the ACPR became effective December 31, 2013.

	Certain other U.S. and non-U.S. subsidiaries are subject to various capital adequacy requirements promulgated by various regulatory and exchange authorities in the countries in which they operate. At March 31, 2014, for those subsidiaries with regulatory capital requirements, their aggregate net capital was $105,753, which exceeded the minimum required capital by $77,600.
	At March 31, 2014, each of these subsidiaries individually was in compliance with its regulatory capital requirements.
	Any new or expanded rules and regulations that may be adopted in countries in which we operate (including regulations that have not yet been proposed) could affect us in other ways.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
Segment Information	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	19	SEGMENT INFORMATION
	The Company’s reportable segments offer different products and services and are managed separately as different levels and types of expertise are required to effectively manage the segments’ transactions. Each segment is reviewed to determine the allocation of resources and to assess its performance. The Company’s principal operating activities are included in two business segments as described in Note 1 above - Financial Advisory and Asset Management. In addition, as described in Note 1 above, the Company records selected other activities in its Corporate segment.
	The Company’s segment information for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 is prepared using the following methodology:

		•		Revenue and expenses directly associated with each segment are included in determining operating income.

		•		Expenses not directly associated with specific segments are allocated based on the most relevant measures applicable, including headcount, square footage and other factors.

		•		Segment assets are based on those directly associated with each segment, and include an allocation of certain assets relating to various segments, based on the most relevant measures applicable, including headcount, square footage and other factors.
	The Company allocates investment gains and losses, interest income and interest expense among the various segments based on the segment in which the underlying asset or liability is reported.
	Each segment’s operating expenses include (i) compensation and benefits expenses incurred directly in support of the businesses and (ii) other operating expenses, which include directly incurred expenses for occupancy and equipment, marketing and business development, technology and information services, professional services, fund administration and outsourced services and indirect support costs (including compensation and other operating expenses related thereto) for administrative services. Such administrative services include, but are not limited to, accounting, tax, legal, facilities management and senior management activities.

	Management evaluates segment results based on net revenue and operating income (loss) and believes that the following information provides a reasonable representation of each segment’s contribution with respect to net revenue, operating income (loss) and total assets:


					Three Months Ended
					March 31,
					2014				2013(a)
	Financial Advisory		Net Revenue		$	275,496			$	168,462
			Operating Expenses			245,415				216,908

			Operating Income (Loss)		$	30,081			$	(48,446	)


	Asset Management		Net Revenue		$	268,564			$	244,025
			Operating Expenses			175,761				155,077

			Operating Income		$	92,803			$	88,948


	Corporate		Net Revenue		$	(10,660	)		$	(10,584	)
			Operating Expenses			5,044				8,321

			Operating Loss		$	(15,704	)		$	(18,905	)


	Total		Net Revenue		$	533,400			$	401,903
			Operating Expenses			426,220				380,306

			Operating Income		$	107,180			$	21,597


	(a)	See Note 14 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the Cost Saving Initiatives, and the impact on each of the Company’s business segments during the three month period ended March 31, 2013.


			As Of
			March 31,				December 31,
			2014				2013
	Total Assets
	Financial Advisory		$	702,885			$	714,708
	Asset Management			536,836				612,018
	Corporate			1,658,482				1,684,411

	Total		$	2,898,203			$	3,011,137

Organization_and_Basis_of_Pres1

Organization and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Organization	'
	Organization
	Lazard Ltd, a Bermuda holding company, and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “Lazard Ltd”, “Lazard”, “we” or the “Company”), including Lazard Ltd’s indirect investment in Lazard Group LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (collectively referred to, together with its subsidiaries, as “Lazard Group”), is one of the world’s preeminent financial advisory and asset management firms and has long specialized in crafting solutions to the complex financial and strategic challenges of our clients. We serve a diverse set of clients around the world, including corporations, governments, institutions, partnerships and individuals.
	Lazard Ltd indirectly held approximately 99.5% of all outstanding Lazard Group common membership interests as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. Lazard Ltd, through its control of the managing members of Lazard Group, controls Lazard Group, which is governed by an Operating Agreement dated as of May 10, 2005, as amended (the “Operating Agreement”). LAZ-MD Holdings LLC (“LAZ-MD Holdings”), an entity owned by Lazard Group’s current and former managing directors, held approximately 0.5% of the outstanding Lazard Group common membership interests as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. Additionally, LAZ-MD Holdings was the sole owner of the one issued and outstanding share of Lazard Ltd’s Class B common stock (the “Class B common stock”) which provided LAZ-MD Holdings with approximately 0.6% of the voting power but no economic rights in the Company as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. Subject to certain limitations, LAZ-MD Holdings’ interests in Lazard Group are exchangeable for Lazard Ltd Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Class A common stock”).
	Our sole operating asset is our indirect ownership of common membership interests of Lazard Group and our managing member interest of Lazard Group, whose principal operating activities are included in two business segments:

		•	Financial Advisory, which offers corporate, partnership, institutional, government, sovereign and individual clients across the globe a wide array of financial advisory services regarding mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”) and other strategic matters, restructurings, capital structure, capital raising and various other financial matters, and

		•	Asset Management, which offers a broad range of global investment solutions and investment management services in equity and fixed income strategies, alternative investments and private equity funds to corporations, public funds, sovereign entities, endowments and foundations, labor funds, financial intermediaries and private clients.
	In addition, we record selected other activities in our Corporate segment, including management of cash, investments and outstanding indebtedness, as well as certain commercial banking activities of Lazard Group’s Paris-based subsidiary Lazard Frères Banque SA (“LFB”).
	LFB is a registered bank regulated by the Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution (“ACPR”). It is engaged primarily in commercial and private banking services for clients and funds managed by Lazard Frères Gestion SAS (“LFG”) and other clients, investment banking activities, including participation in underwritten offerings of securities in France, and asset-liability management.
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of Lazard Ltd have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) regarding interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Lazard Ltd’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the “Form 10-K”). The accompanying December 31, 2013 unaudited condensed consolidated statement of financial condition data was derived from audited consolidated financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statement purposes. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented.
	Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts that are reported in the financial statements and the accompanying disclosures. Discretionary compensation and benefits expense for interim periods is accrued based on the year-to-date amount of revenue earned, and an assumed annual ratio of compensation and benefits expense to revenue, with the applicable amounts adjusted for certain items. Although these estimates are based on management’s knowledge of current events and actions that Lazard may undertake in the future, actual results may differ materially from the estimates.
	The consolidated results of operations for the three month period ended March 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future interim or annual period.
	The condensed consolidated financial statements include Lazard Ltd, Lazard Group and Lazard Group’s principal operating subsidiaries: Lazard Frères & Co. LLC (“LFNY”), a New York limited liability company, along with its subsidiaries, including Lazard Asset Management LLC and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “LAM”); the French limited liability companies Compagnie Financière Lazard Frères SAS (“CFLF”) along with its subsidiaries, LFB and LFG, and Maison Lazard SAS and its subsidiaries; and Lazard & Co., Limited (“LCL”), through Lazard & Co., Holdings Limited (“LCH”), an English private limited company, together with their jointly owned affiliates and subsidiaries.
	The Company’s policy is to consolidate (i) entities in which it has a controlling financial interest, (ii) variable interest entities (“VIEs”) where the Company has a variable interest and is deemed to be the primary beneficiary and (iii) limited partnerships where the Company is the general partner, unless the presumption of control is overcome. When the Company does not have a controlling interest in an entity, but exerts significant influence over such entity’s operating and financial decisions, the Company applies the equity method of accounting in which it records in earnings its share of earnings or losses of the entity. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Recent Accounting Developments	'
	Presentation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits—In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued guidance on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when net operating losses or tax credit carryforwards exist. The guidance requires that the unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of such unrecognized tax benefit, be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except in certain situations, as defined in the guidance. The new presentation requirements are effective prospectively for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted. The Company elected to adopt this guidance in the fourth quarter of 2013, the impact of which did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Receivables_Tables

Receivables (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Receivables (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Activity in Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	'
	Activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was as follows:


		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Balance, January 1	$	28,777		$	23,017
	Bad debt expense, net of recoveries		9,136			148
	Charge-offs, foreign currency translation and other adjustments		(6,589	)		(360	)

	Balance, March 31	$	31,324		$	22,805

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Investments (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2014
Investments Schedule [Abstract]	'
Company's Investments and Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased	'
	The Company’s investments and securities sold, not yet purchased, consist of the following at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:


			March 31,		December 31,
			2014		2013
	Debt (including interest-bearing deposits of $533 and $516, respectively)		$	7,806	$	8,529

	Equities			57,757		59,394

	Funds:
	Alternative investments (a)			36,321		37,030
	Debt (a)			48,207		58,769
	Equity (a)			143,115		190,702
	Private equity			115,537		114,193

				343,180		400,694

	Equity method			8,552		9,488

	Total investments			417,295		478,105
	Less:
	Interest-bearing deposits			533		516
	Equity method			8,552		9,488

	Investments, at fair value		$	408,210	$	468,101

	Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value (included in “other liabilities”)		$	5,330	$	4,045


	(a)	Interests in alternative investment funds, debt funds and equity funds include investments with fair values of $8,626, $25,520 and $95,933, respectively, at March 31, 2014 and $7,099, $31,515 and $130,481, respectively, at December 31, 2013, held in order to satisfy the Company’s liability upon vesting of previously granted Lazard Fund Interests (“Lazard Fund Interests”) and other similar deferred compensation arrangements. Lazard Fund Interests represent grants by the Company to eligible employees of actual or notional interests in a number of Lazard-managed funds (see Notes 6 and 12 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).
Schedule of Trading Securities Gross Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses	'
	During the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company reported in “revenue-other” on its condensed consolidated statements of operations gross unrealized investment gains and losses pertaining to “trading” securities as follows:


			Three Months Ended
			March 31,
			2014		2013
	Gross unrealized investment gains		$	3,084	$	8,395
	Gross unrealized investment losses		$	2,593	$	1,636

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Classification of Investments and Certain Other Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis

31-Mar-14

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Assets:

Investments:

Debt (excluding interest-bearing deposits)

1,720

5,553

–

7,273

Equities

56,420

–

1,337

57,757

Funds:

Alternative investments

–

36,321

–

36,321

Debt

48,203

–

48,207

Equity

143,074

–

143,115

Private equity

–

115,537

Derivatives

–

275

–

275

Total

249,417

42,194

116,874

408,485

Liabilities:

Securities sold, not yet purchased

5,330

–

5,330

Derivatives

–

219,172

–

219,172

Total

5,330

219,172

–

224,502

31-Dec-13

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Assets:

Investments:

Debt (excluding interest-bearing deposits)

1,681

6,332

–

8,013

Equities

58,054

–

1,340

59,394

Funds:

Alternative investments

–

37,030

–

37,030

Debt

58,765

–

58,769

Equity

190,660

–

190,702

Private equity

–

114,193

Derivatives

–

682

–

682

Total

309,160

44,090

115,533

468,783

Liabilities:

Securities sold, not yet purchased

4,045

–

4,045

Derivatives

–

164,001

–

164,001

Total

4,045

164,001

–

168,046

Summary of Changes in Fair Value of Company's Level 3 Assets

The following tables provide a summary of changes in fair value of the Company’s Level 3 assets for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2014

Beginning

Net Unrealized/

Purchases/

Sales/

Foreign

Ending

Balance

Realized

Acquisitions

Disposition

Currency

Balance

Gains (Losses)

Translation

Included

Adjustments

In Revenue-

Other (a)

Investments:

Equities

1,340

–

)

1,337

Private equity funds

114,193

5,582

347

(4,669

)

115,537

Total Level 3 Assets

115,533

5,584

347

(4,669

)

116,874

Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

Beginning

Net Unrealized/

Purchases/

Sales/

Foreign

Ending

Balance

Realized

Acquisitions

Dispositions

Currency

Balance

Gains (Losses)

Translation

Included

Adjustments

In Revenue-

Other (a)

Investments:

Equities

190

–

)

184

Alternative investment funds

3,457

–

(2,247

)

–

1,304

Equity funds

–

(10

)

–

Private equity funds

112,444

682

–

(1,256

)

(1,374

)

110,496

Total Level 3 Assets

116,101

776

–

(3,513

)

(1,380

)

111,984

(a)

Earnings for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 include net unrealized gains (losses) of $4,413 and $670, respectively.

Fair Value of Certain Investments Based on NAV

31-Mar-14

% of

Estimated Liquidation Period of

Investments Redeemable

Fair Value

Investments Not Redeemable

Not

Fair value

Unfunded

Redeemable

Redemption

Commitments

10-May

Thereafter

Frequency

Notice Period

5 Years

Years

Alternative investment funds:

Hedge funds

32,210

–

(a)

<30-60 days

Funds of funds

487

–

(b)

<30-90 days

Other

3,624

–

(c)

<30-60 days

Debt funds

–

(d)

30 days

Equity funds

–

(e)

30-90 days

Private equity funds:

Equity growth

71,408

27,156

100%

14%

61%

25%

Mezzanine debt

44,129

–

100%

–%

100%

Total

151,903

27,156

(a)

weekly (17%), monthly (64%) and quarterly (19%)

(b)

monthly (95%) and quarterly (5%)

(c)

daily (9%), weekly (2%) and monthly (89%)

(d)

daily (100%)

(e)

daily (14%), monthly (58%) and quarterly (28%)

31-Dec-13

% of

Estimated Liquidation Period of

Investments Redeemable

Fair Value

Investments Not Redeemable

Not

Fair value

Unfunded

Redeemable

Redemption

Commitments

10-May

Thereafter

Frequency

Notice Period

5 Years

Years

Alternative investment funds:

Hedge funds

31,837

–

(a)

<30-90 days

Funds of funds

475

–

(b)

<30-90 days

Other

4,718

–

(c)

<30-60 days

Debt funds

–

(d)

30 days

Equity funds

–

(e)

30-90 days

Private equity funds:

Equity growth

70,054

27,135

100%

17%

60%

23%

Mezzanine debt

44,139

–

100%

–%

100%

Total

151,269

27,135

(a)

weekly (17%), monthly (65%) and quarterly (18%)

(b)

monthly (95%) and quarterly (5%)

(c)

daily (7%), weekly (1%) and monthly (92%)

(d)

daily (100%)

(e)

daily (13%), monthly (58%) and quarterly (29%)

Derivatives_Tables

Derivatives (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Derivatives (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Derivatives Reported on Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition	'
	The tables below present the fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments reported within “other assets” and “other liabilities” and the fair value of the Company’s derivative liabilities relating to its obligations pertaining to Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements (see Note 12 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements) on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:


			March 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Derivative Assets:
	Forward foreign currency exchange rate contracts		$	275		$	250
	Total return swaps and other (a)			–			432

			$	275		$	682

	Derivative Liabilities:
	Forward foreign currency exchange rate contracts		$	1,046		$	1,579
	Total return swaps and other (a)			4,688			–
	Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements			213,438			162,422

			$	219,172		$	164,001


	(a)	For total return swaps, amounts represent the netting of gross derivative assets and liabilities of $120 and $4,808 as of March 31, 2014, respectively, and $2,019 and $1,587 as of December 31, 2013, respectively, for contracts with the same counterparty under legally enforceable master netting agreements. Such amounts are recorded “net” in “other assets”, with receivables for net cash collateral under such contracts of $15,884 and $11,384 as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
Net Gains (Losses) with Respect to Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	'
	Net gains (losses) with respect to derivative instruments (predominantly reflected in “revenue-other”) and the Company’s derivative liabilities relating to its obligations pertaining to Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements (included in “compensation and benefits” expense) as reflected on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, were as follows:


			Three Months Ended
			March 31,
			2014			2013
	Forward foreign currency exchange rate contracts		$	(1,153	)	$	5,231
	Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements			(2,626	)		(3,725	)
	Total return swaps and other			(1,946	)		(4,108	)

			$	(5,725	)	$	(2,602	)

Property_Tables

Property (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Property (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2014
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property	'
	At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, property consists of the following:


		Estimated		March 31,		December 31,
		Depreciable		2014		2013
		Life in Years
	Buildings		33	$	173,735	$	173,772
	Leasehold improvements		20-Mar		176,369		175,600
	Furniture and equipment		10-Mar		151,311		149,598
	Construction in progress				4,490		3,756

	Total				505,905		502,726
	Less - Accumulated depreciation and amortization				262,928		253,930

	Property			$	242,977	$	248,796

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	The components of goodwill and other intangible assets at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are presented below:


			March 31,		December 31,
			2014		2013
	Goodwill		$	349,716	$	345,453
	Other intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization)			17,205		18,424

			$	366,921	$	363,877

Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill	'
	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:


			Three Months Ended
			March 31,
			2014		2013
	Balance, January 1		$	345,453	$	364,328
	Business acquisitions			–		1,440
	Foreign currency translation adjustments			4,263		(119	)

	Balance, March 31		$	349,716	$	365,649

Gross Cost and Accumulated Amortization of Other Intangible Assets	'
	The gross cost and accumulated amortization of other intangible assets as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, by major intangible asset category, are as follows:


			31-Mar-14							31-Dec-13
			Gross		Accumulated			Net		Gross		Accumulated		Net
			Cost		Amortization			Carrying		Cost		Amortization		Carrying
								Amount						Amount
	Success/performance fees		$	30,740	$	17,687		$	13,053	$	30,740	$	17,173	$	13,567
	Management fees, customer relationships and non-compete agreements			33,064		28,912			4,152		33,063		28,206		4,857

			$	63,804	$	46,599		$	17,205	$	63,803	$	45,379	$	18,424

Estimated Future Amortization Expense	'
	Amortization expense of intangible assets for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was $1,220 and $877, respectively. Estimated future amortization expense is as follows:


	Year Ending December 31,		Amortization
	Year Ending December 31,		Expense (a)
	2014 (April 1 through December 31)		$	5,591
	2015			6,433
	2016			5,181

	Total amortization expense		$	17,205


		(a)	Approximately 43% of intangible asset amortization is attributable to a noncontrolling interest.

Senior_and_Subordinated_Debt_T

Senior and Subordinated Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Senior and Subordinated Debt (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Senior Debt	'
	Senior Debt—Senior debt is comprised of the following as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:


		Initial		Maturity		Annual			Outstanding As of
		Principal		Date		Interest			March 31,		December 31,
		Amount				Rate			2014		2013
	Lazard Group 6.85% Senior Notes		600,000		6/15/17		6.85	%	$	548,350	$	548,350
	Lazard Group 4.25% Senior Notes		500,000		11/14/20		4.25	%		500,000		500,000
	Lazard Group Credit Facility		150,000		9/25/15		0.78	%		–		–

	Total								$	1,048,350	$	1,048,350

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Lazard Group Distributed Amounts to LAZ-MD Holdings and Subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd	'
	During the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, Lazard Group distributed the following amounts to LAZ-MD Holdings and the subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd (none of which related to tax distributions):


			Three Months Ended
			March 31,
			2014			2013
	LAZ-MD Holdings		$	213		$	–
	Subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd			35,917			–

			$	36,130		$	–

Schedule of Share Repurchase Authorized by Board of Directors	'
	Share Repurchase Program—During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 the Board of Directors of Lazard Ltd authorized the repurchase of Class A common stock and Lazard Group common membership interests as set forth in the table below.


	Date		Share			Expiration
			Repurchase
			Authorization
	February, 2011		$	250,000			December 31, 2012
	October, 2011		$	125,000			31-Dec-13
	April, 2012		$	125,000			31-Dec-13
	October, 2012		$	200,000			31-Dec-14
	October, 2013		$	100,000			31-Dec-15
Schedule of Share Repurchase Program	'
	The Company expects that the share repurchase program, with respect to the Class A common stock, will primarily be used to offset a portion of the shares that have been or will be issued under the Lazard Ltd 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”) and the Lazard Ltd 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2008 Plan”). Pursuant to the share repurchase program, purchases have been made in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. Purchases with respect to such program are set forth in the table below:


			Number of			Average
			Shares/Common			Price Per
			Membership			Share/Common
			Interests Purchased			Membership
						Interest
	Three Months Ended March 31:

	2013			831,157		$	36.3
	2014			2,392,674		$	44.69
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax *(“AOCI”)*—The tables below reflect changes in the balances of each component of AOCI during the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:


			Currency			Employee			Total			Amount			Total
			Translation			Benefit			AOCI			Attributable to			Lazard Ltd
			Adjustments			Plans						Noncontrolling			AOCI
												Interests
	Balance, January 1, 2014		$	3,869		$	(137,431	)	$	(133,562	)	$	(558	)	$	(133,004	)

	Activity January 1 to March 31, 2014:
	Other comprehensive gain (loss) before reclassifications			5,913			(557	)		5,356			17			5,339
	Adjustments for items reclassified to earnings, net of tax			–			1,289			1,289			7			1,282

	Net other comprehensive income			5,913			732			6,645			24			6,621

	Balance, March 31, 2014		$	9,782		$	(136,699	)	$	(126,917	)	$	(534	)	$	(126,383	)



			Currency			Interest			Employee			Total			Amount			Total
			Translation			Rate			Benefit			AOCI			Attributable to			Lazard Ltd
			Adjustments			Hedge			Plans						Noncontrolling			AOCI
															Interests
	Balance, January 1, 2013		$	19,405		$	(2,502	)	$	(128,536	)	$	(111,633	)	$	(1,092	)	$	(110,541	)

	Activity January 1 to March 31, 2013:
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications			(12,433	)		–			(3,423	)		(15,856	)		(175	)		(15,681	)
	Adjustments for items reclassified to earnings, net of tax			–			264			1,218			1,482			18			1,464

	Net other comprehensive income (loss)			(12,433	)		264			(2,205	)		(14,374	)		(157	)		(14,217	)

	Balance, March 31, 2013		$	6,972		$	(2,238	)	$	(130,741	)	$	(126,007	)	$	(1,249	)	$	(124,758	)

Adjustments for Items Reclassified Out of AOCI	'
	The table below reflects adjustments for items reclassified out of AOCI, by component, for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:


			Three Months Ended
			March 31,
			2014			2013
	Amortization of interest rate hedge (a)		$	–		$	264

	Amortization relating to employee benefit plans (b)			1,821			1,620
	Less – related income taxes			532			402

	Net of tax			1,289			1,218

	Total reclassifications, net of tax		$	1,289		$	1,482


	(a)	Included in “interest expense” on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
	(b)	Included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (see Note 13 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements). Such amount is included in “compensation and benefits” expense on the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
Changes in Ownership Interests	'
	The following table summarizes the ownership interests in Lazard Group held by Lazard Ltd and LAZ-MD Holdings:


			Lazard Ltd						LAZ-MD Holdings						Total
															Lazard Group
															Common
															Membership
	As of March 31:		Common			%			Common			%			Interests
			Membership			Ownership			Membership			Ownership
			Interests						Interests
	2013			128,216,423			98.8	%		1,549,667			1.2	%		129,766,090
	2014			129,056,081			99.5	%		710,009			0.5	%		129,766,090
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	'
	The tables below summarize net income attributable to noncontrolling interests for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 and noncontrolling interests as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements:


			Net Income
			Attributable to Noncontrolling
			Interests
			Three Months Ended
			March 31,
			2014			2013
	Edgewater		$	4,120		$	2,366
	LAZ-MD Holdings			467			192
	Other			–			(269	)

	Total		$	4,587		$	2,289



			Noncontrolling Interests As Of
			March 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Edgewater		$	66,849		$	66,641
	LAZ-MD Holdings			2,168			2,566
	Other			780			582

	Total		$	69,797		$	69,789

Incentive_Plans_Tables

Incentive Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Incentive Plans (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Summary of Impact of Share-Based Incentive Plans on Compensation and Benefits Expense	'
	The following reflects the amortization expense recorded with respect to share-based incentive plans within “compensation and benefits” expense (with respect to RSUs, performance-based restricted stock units (“PRSUs”) and restricted stock awards) and “professional services” expense (with respect to deferred stock units (“DSUs”)) within the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:


			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2014			2013
	Share-based incentive awards:
	RSUs (a)		$	52,285		$	64,942
	PRSUs			1,798			438
	Restricted Stock (b)			6,612			5,261
	DSUs			102			71

	Total		$	60,797		$	70,712


	(a)	Includes, during the three month period ended March 31, 2013, charges relating to the cost saving initiatives of $4,455 (see Note 14 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).
	(b)	Includes, during the three month period ended March 31, 2013, charges relating to the cost saving initiatives of $233.
Schedule of Issuance of RSUs and Charges to Retained Earnings	'

	During the three month period ended March 31, 2014, issuances of RSUs pertaining to such dividend participation rights and respective charges to “retained earnings”, net of estimated forfeitures, (with corresponding credits to “additional paid-in-capital”), consisted of the following:



			Three Months Ended
			March 31, 2014
	Number of RSUs issued			115,297
	Charges to retained earnings, net of estimated forfeitures		$	5,013
Schedule of Activity Relating to RSUs and DSUs	'
	The following is a summary of activity relating to RSUs and DSUs during the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:


			RSUs						DSUs
			Units			Weighted			Units		Weighted
						Average					Average
						Grant Date					Grant Date
						Fair Value					Fair Value
	Balance, January 1, 2014			16,630,009		$	34.51			251,434	$	32.02
	Granted (including 115,297 RSUs relating to dividend participation)			3,492,223		$	43			2,310	$	44.35
	Forfeited			(21,301	)	$	34.61			–		–
	Vested			(6,317,612	)	$	38.04			–		–

	Balance, March 31, 2014			13,783,319		$	35.04			253,744	$	32.13


	Balance, January 1, 2013			21,481,131		$	33.92			204,496	$	31.47
	Granted			4,297,664		$	37.33			1,886	$	37.6
	Forfeited			(45,907	)	$	36.12			–		–
	Vested			(8,268,744	)	$	34.97			–		–

	Balance, March 31, 2013			17,464,144		$	34.26			206,382	$	31.52
Summary of Activity Related to Shares of Restricted Class A Common Stock	'
	The following is a summary of activity related to shares of restricted Class A common stock associated with compensation arrangements during the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:


			Restricted			Weighted
			Shares			Average
						Grant Date
						Fair Value
	Balance, January 1, 2014			575,054		$	32.72
	Granted			449,344		$	45.52
	Vested			(205,075	)	$	35.23

	Balance, March 31, 2014			819,323		$	39.11


	Balance, January 1, 2013			1,972,609		$	34.85
	Granted			388,763		$	36.73
	Forfeited			(3,269	)	$	36.64
	Vested			(1,715,275	)	$	36.04

	Balance, March 31, 2013			642,828		$	32.81

Summary of Activity Relating to PRSUs	'
	The following is a summary of activity relating to PRSUs during the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 at the target level:


			PRSUs			Weighted
						Average
						Grant Date
						Fair Value
	Balance, January 1, 2014			448,128		$	36.11
	Granted			360,783		$	44.46

	Balance, March 31, 2014			808,911		$	39.83

	Balance, January 1, 2013			–			–
	Granted			448,128		$	36.11

	Balance, March 31, 2013			448,128		$	36.11
Summary of Fund Interests and Other Similar Deferred Compensation Arrangements	'
	The following is a summary of activity relating to Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements during the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:


			Prepaid			Compensation
			Compensation			Liability
			Asset
	Balance, January 1, 2014		$	60,433		$	162,422
	Granted			92,711			92,711
	Settled			–			(45,450	)
	Forfeited			(9	)		(2	)
	Amortization			(19,407	)		–
	Change in fair value related to:
	Increase in fair value of underlying investments			–			2,626
	Adjustment for estimated forfeitures			–			899
	Other			116			232

	Balance, March 31, 2014		$	133,844		$	213,438



			Prepaid			Compensation
			Compensation			Liability
			Asset
	Balance, January 1, 2013		$	47,445		$	97,593
	Granted			72,182			72,182
	Settled			–			(14,832	)
	Forfeited			(309	)		(396	)
	Amortization			(12,488	)		–
	Change in fair value related to:
	Increase in fair value of underlying investments			–			3,725
	Adjustment for estimated forfeitures			–			648
	Other			-106			(111	)

	Balance, March 31, 2013		$	106,724		$	158,809

Summary of Impact of Fund Interests and Other Similar Deferred Compensation Arrangements	'
	The following is a summary of the impact of Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements on “compensation and benefits” expense within the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:


			Three Months Ended
			March 31,
			2014			2013
	Amortization, net of forfeitures (a)		$	20,313		$	13,049
	Change in the fair value of underlying investments			2,626			3,725

	Total		$	22,939		$	16,774


	(a)	Includes during the three month period ended March 31, 2013 charges relating to the cost saving initiatives of $917.

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2014
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of Net Benefit Cost (Credit)	'
	The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) related to the Company’s post-retirement plans for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:


		Pension Plans						Medical Plan
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Components of Net Benefit Cost (Credit):
	Service cost	$	223		$	314		$	12		$	10
	Interest cost		7,531			6,753			53			47
	Expected return on plan assets		(8,079	)		(6,797	)		–			–
	Amortization of:
	Prior service cost		733			706			–			–
	Net actuarial loss		1,111			914			(23	)		–

	Net benefit cost	$	1,519		$	1,890		$	42		$	57

Cost_Saving_Initiatives_Tables

Cost Saving Initiatives (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Cost Saving Initiatives (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Expenses and Cumulative Expenses Associated With Implementation of Cost Savings Initiatives	'
	Expenses associated with the implementation of the Cost Saving Initiatives were completed during the second quarter of 2013. The Company incurred these expenses, by segment, as reflected in the tables below:


		Financial			Asset			Corporate			Total
		Advisory			Management			Corporate			Total
	Three Month Period Ended March 31, 2013:
	Compensation and benefits	$	20,394		$	236		$	4,041		$	24,671
	Other		1,621			(1	)		31			1,651

	Total	$	22,015		$	235		$	4,072		$	26,322


		Financial			Asset			Corporate			Total
		Advisory			Management			Corporate			Total
	Cumulative October 2012 Through
	March 31, 2013:
	Compensation and benefits	$	96,527		$	12,292		$	15,839		$	124,658
	Other		3,020			732			488			4,240

	Total	$	99,547		$	13,024		$	16,327		$	128,898

Activity Related to Obligations Pursuant to Cost Saving Initiatives	'
	Activity related to the obligations pursuant to the Cost Saving Initiatives during the three month period ended March 31, 2014 was as follows:


		Accrued			Other			Total
		Compensation			Liabilities
		and Benefits
	Balance, January 1, 2014	$	11,860		$	5,356		$	17,216
	Less:
	Settlements		(2,390	)		–			(2,390	)

	Balance, March 31, 2014	$	9,470		$	5,356		$	14,826

Net_Income_Per_Share_of_Class_1

Net Income Per Share of Class A Common Stock (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Net Income Per Share of Class A Common Stock (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Company's Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share and Weighted Average Shares Outstanding	'
	The calculations of the Company’s basic and diluted net income per share and weighted average shares outstanding for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 are presented below:


		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Net income attributable to Lazard Ltd	$	80,842	$	15,360
	Add (deduct) - adjustment associated with Class A common stock issuable on a non-contingent basis		–		–

	Net income attributable to Lazard Ltd - basic		80,842		15,360
	Add - dilutive effect, as applicable, of:
	Adjustments to income relating to interest expense and changes in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests resulting from assumed Class A common stock issuances in connection with share-based incentive compensation and exchangeable interests, net of tax		433		182

	Net income attributable to Lazard Ltd - diluted	$	81,275	$	15,542


	Weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding		121,361,210		116,921,983
	Add - adjustment for shares of Class A common stock issuable on a non-contingent basis		414,997		786,221

	Weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding - basic		121,776,207		117,708,204
	Add - dilutive effect, as applicable, of:
	Weighted average number of incremental shares of Class A common stock issuable from share-based incentive compensation and exchangeable interests		12,249,784		15,107,356

	Weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding - diluted		134,025,991		132,815,560

	Net income attributable to Lazard Ltd per share of Class A common stock:
	Basic		$0.66		$0.13

	Diluted		$0.61		$0.12

Related_Parties_Tables

Related Parties (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Related Parties (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Amounts Receivable from and Payable to Related Parties	'
	Amounts receivable from, and payable to, related parties are set forth below:


		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Receivables
	LFCM Holdings	$	4,067	$	7,794
	Other		118		126

	Total	$	4,185	$	7,920

	Payables
	LFCM Holdings	$	1,663	$	4,300
	Other		919		731

	Total	$	2,582	$	5,031

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Segment Information (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment's Contribution with Respect to Net Revenue, Operating Expenses, Operating Income (Loss)	'
	the following information provides a reasonable representation of each segment’s contribution with respect to net revenue, operating income (loss)

					Three Months Ended
					March 31,
					2014				2013(a)
	Financial Advisory		Net Revenue		$	275,496			$	168,462
			Operating Expenses			245,415				216,908

			Operating Income (Loss)		$	30,081			$	(48,446	)


	Asset Management		Net Revenue		$	268,564			$	244,025
			Operating Expenses			175,761				155,077

			Operating Income		$	92,803			$	88,948


	Corporate		Net Revenue		$	(10,660	)		$	(10,584	)
			Operating Expenses			5,044				8,321

			Operating Loss		$	(15,704	)		$	(18,905	)


	Total		Net Revenue		$	533,400			$	401,903
			Operating Expenses			426,220				380,306

			Operating Income		$	107,180			$	21,597


	(a)	See Note 14 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the Cost Saving Initiatives, and the impact on each of the Company’s business segments during the three month period ended March 31, 2013.
Schedule of Segment Total Assets	'
	As Of
			March 31,				December 31,
			2014				2013
	Total Assets
	Financial Advisory		$	702,885			$	714,708
	Asset Management			536,836				612,018
	Corporate			1,658,482				1,684,411

	Total		$	2,898,203			$	3,011,137

Organization_and_Basis_of_Pres2

Organization and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Segment

Class B Common Stock [Member]

Class A Common Stock [Member]

Lazard Ltd [Member]

LAZ-MD Holdings LLC [Member]

Class B Common Stock [Member]

Class A Common Stock [Member]

Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]

Percentage of common membership interests held

99.50%

0.50%

Governing Operating Agreement, date

10-May-05

Common membership voting power held

0.60%

Common stock, par value

$0.01

Common stock, shares outstanding

129,056,081

Common stock, shares issued

129,056,081

128,216,423

Number of business segments

Receivables_Schedule_of_Activi

Receivables - Schedule of Activity in Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivables, Beginning balance	$28,777	$23,017
Bad debt expense, net of recoveries	9,136	148
Charge-offs, foreign currency translation and other adjustments	-6,589	-360
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivables, Ending balance	$31,324	$22,805

Receivables_Additional_Informa

Receivables - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Receivables, Net [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Interest-bearing financing fee receivables	$65,241	$69,464	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivables	31,324	28,777	22,805	23,017
Aggregate carrying amount of non-interest bearing receivables	457,841	443,211	'	'
Financing Receivables [Member]	'	'	'	'
Receivables, Net [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivables	0	0	'	'
Trade Receivables [Member]	'	'	'	'
Receivables, Net [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Receivables past due or deemed uncollectible	$35,566	$39,341	'	'

Investments_Companys_Investmen

Investments - Company's Investments and Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Debt (including interest-bearing deposits of $533 and $516, respectively)	$7,806	$8,529
Equities	57,757	59,394
Funds	343,180	400,694
Equity method	8,552	9,488
Total investments	417,295	478,105
Interest-bearing deposits	533	516
Investments, at fair value	408,210	468,101
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value (included in "other liabilities")	5,330	4,045
Debt Funds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Funds	48,207	58,769
Alternative Investments Funds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Funds	36,321	37,030
Equity Funds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Funds	143,115	190,702
Private Equity Funds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Funds	$115,537	$114,193

Investments_Companys_Investmen1

Investments - Company's Investments and Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule Of Investments [Abstract]	'	'
Interest-bearing deposits	$533	$516
Lazard fund interests in equities funds	95,933	130,481
Lazard fund interests in alternative investments funds	8,626	7,099
Lazard fund interests in debt funds	$25,520	$31,515

Investments_Additional_Informa

Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule Of Investments [Abstract]	'	'
Economic interests that are owned by management team and other investors in the Edgewater Funds	$9,286	$9,787

Investments_Schedule_of_Tradin

Investments - Schedule of Trading Securities Gross Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Gross unrealized investment gains	$3,084	$8,395
Gross unrealized investment losses	$2,593	$1,636

Fair_Value_Measurements_Classi

Fair Value Measurements - Classification of Investments and Certain Other Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	$408,210	$468,101
Equities	57,757	59,394
Derivatives	275	682
Securities sold, not yet purchased	5,330	4,045
Derivatives	219,172	164,001
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities	57,757	59,394
Derivatives	275	682
Total Assets	408,485	468,783
Securities sold, not yet purchased	5,330	4,045
Derivatives	219,172	164,001
Total Liabilities	224,502	168,046
Debt [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	7,273	8,013
Alternative Investments Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	36,321	37,030
Debt Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	48,207	58,769
Equity Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	143,115	190,702
Private Equity Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	115,537	114,193
Level 1 [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities	56,420	58,054
Derivatives	'	'
Total Assets	249,417	309,160
Securities sold, not yet purchased	5,330	4,045
Derivatives	'	'
Total Liabilities	5,330	4,045
Level 1 [Member] \| Debt [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	1,720	1,681
Level 1 [Member] \| Alternative Investments Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	'	'
Level 1 [Member] \| Debt Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	48,203	58,765
Level 1 [Member] \| Equity Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	143,074	190,660
Level 1 [Member] \| Private Equity Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	'	'
Level 2 [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities	'	'
Derivatives	275	682
Total Assets	42,194	44,090
Securities sold, not yet purchased	'	'
Derivatives	219,172	164,001
Total Liabilities	219,172	164,001
Level 2 [Member] \| Debt [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	5,553	6,332
Level 2 [Member] \| Alternative Investments Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	36,321	37,030
Level 2 [Member] \| Debt Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	4	4
Level 2 [Member] \| Equity Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	41	42
Level 2 [Member] \| Private Equity Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	'	'
Level 3 [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities	1,337	1,340
Derivatives	'	'
Total Assets	116,874	115,533
Securities sold, not yet purchased	'	'
Derivatives	'	'
Total Liabilities	'	'
Level 3 [Member] \| Debt [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	'	'
Level 3 [Member] \| Alternative Investments Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	'	'
Level 3 [Member] \| Debt Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	'	'
Level 3 [Member] \| Equity Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	'	'
Level 3 [Member] \| Private Equity Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	$115,537	$114,193

Fair_Value_Measurements_Additi

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'
Transfers between Level 1 , 2 and 3 in fair value measurement hierarchy	$0	$0	'
Unfunded Commitments	27,156	'	27,135
CP II [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unfunded Commitments	1,940	'	'
End of the investment period	25-Feb-17	'	'
EGCP III [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unfunded Commitments	18,337	'	'
End of the investment period	12-Oct-16	'	'
Remaining commitments date	12-Oct-23	'	'
COF2 [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unfunded Commitments	$6,879	'	'
End of the investment period	11-Nov-16	'	'
Remaining commitments date	11-Nov-19	'	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Summar

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Changes in Fair Value of Company's Level 3 Assets (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	$115,533	$116,101
Net Unrealized/Realized Gains (Losses) Included In Revenue-Other	5,584	776
Purchases/Acquisitions	347	'
Sales/Dispositions	-4,669	-3,513
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	79	-1,380
Ending Balance	116,874	111,984
Equities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	1,340	190
Net Unrealized/Realized Gains (Losses) Included In Revenue-Other	2	'
Purchases/Acquisitions	'	'
Sales/Dispositions	'	'
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	-5	-6
Ending Balance	1,337	184
Alternative Investment Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	'	3,457
Net Unrealized/Realized Gains (Losses) Included In Revenue-Other	'	94
Purchases/Acquisitions	'	'
Sales/Dispositions	'	-2,247
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	'	'
Ending Balance	'	1,304
Equity Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	'	10
Net Unrealized/Realized Gains (Losses) Included In Revenue-Other	'	'
Purchases/Acquisitions	'	'
Sales/Dispositions	'	-10
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	'	'
Ending Balance	'	'
Private Equity Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	114,193	112,444
Net Unrealized/Realized Gains (Losses) Included In Revenue-Other	5,582	682
Purchases/Acquisitions	347	'
Sales/Dispositions	-4,669	-1,256
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	84	-1,374
Ending Balance	$115,537	$110,496

Fair_Value_Measurements_Summar1

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Changes in Fair Value of Company's Level 3 Assets (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Net unrealized gains (losses)	$4,413	$670

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value of Certain Investments Based on NAV (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value	151,903	151,269
Unfunded Commitments	27,156	27,135
Alternative Investment Funds [Member] \| Hedge Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value	32,210	31,837
Unfunded Commitments	'	'
% of Fair Value Not Redeemable	'	'
Estimated Liquidation Period of Investments Not Redeemable, % Next 5 Years	'	'
Estimated Liquidation Period of Investments Not Redeemable, % 5-10 Years	'	'
Estimated Liquidation Period of Investments Not Redeemable, % Thereafter	'	'
Alternative Investment Funds [Member] \| Funds of Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value	487	475
Unfunded Commitments	'	'
% of Fair Value Not Redeemable	'	'
Estimated Liquidation Period of Investments Not Redeemable, % Next 5 Years	'	'
Estimated Liquidation Period of Investments Not Redeemable, % 5-10 Years	'	'
Estimated Liquidation Period of Investments Not Redeemable, % Thereafter	'	'
Alternative Investment Funds [Member] \| Other [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value	3,624	4,718
Unfunded Commitments	'	'
% of Fair Value Not Redeemable	'	'
Estimated Liquidation Period of Investments Not Redeemable, % Next 5 Years	'	'
Estimated Liquidation Period of Investments Not Redeemable, % 5-10 Years	'	'
Estimated Liquidation Period of Investments Not Redeemable, % Thereafter	'	'
Alternative Investment Funds [Member] \| Weekly [Member] \| Other [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Investments Redeemable, Redemption Frequency	'weekly (2%)	'weekly (1)%
Alternative Investment Funds [Member] \| Weekly [Member] \| Hedge Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Investments Redeemable, Redemption Frequency	'weekly (17%)	'weekly (17)%
Alternative Investment Funds [Member] \| Monthly [Member] \| Funds of Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Investments Redeemable, Redemption Frequency	'monthly (95%)	'monthly (95)%
Alternative Investment Funds [Member] \| Monthly [Member] \| Other [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Investments Redeemable, Redemption Frequency	'monthly (89%)	'monthly (92)%
Alternative Investment Funds [Member] \| Monthly [Member] \| Hedge Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Investments Redeemable, Redemption Frequency	'monthly (64%)	'monthly (65)%
Alternative Investment Funds [Member] \| Quarterly [Member] \| Funds of Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Investments Redeemable, Redemption Frequency	'quarterly (5%)	'quarterly (5)%
Alternative Investment Funds [Member] \| Quarterly [Member] \| Hedge Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Investments Redeemable, Redemption Frequency	'quarterly (19%)	'quarterly (18)%
Alternative Investment Funds [Member] \| Daily [Member] \| Other [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Investments Redeemable, Redemption Frequency	'daily (9%)	'daily (7)%
Alternative Investment Funds [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| Funds of Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Investments Redeemable, Redemption Notice Period	'30 days	'30 days
Alternative Investment Funds [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| Other [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Investments Redeemable, Redemption Notice Period	'30 days	'30 days
Alternative Investment Funds [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| Hedge Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Investments Redeemable, Redemption Notice Period	'30 days	'30 days
Alternative Investment Funds [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Funds of Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Investments Redeemable, Redemption Notice Period	'90 days	'90 days
Alternative Investment Funds [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Other [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Investments Redeemable, Redemption Notice Period	'60 days	'60 days
Alternative Investment Funds [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Hedge Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Investments Redeemable, Redemption Notice Period	'60 days	'90 days
Debt Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value	4	4
Unfunded Commitments	'	'
% of Fair Value Not Redeemable	'	'
Estimated Liquidation Period of Investments Not Redeemable, % Next 5 Years	'	'
Estimated Liquidation Period of Investments Not Redeemable, % 5-10 Years	'	'
Estimated Liquidation Period of Investments Not Redeemable, % Thereafter	'	'
Investments Redeemable, Redemption Notice Period	'30 days	'30 days
Debt Funds [Member] \| Daily [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Investments Redeemable, Redemption Frequency	'daily (100%)	'daily (100)%
Equity Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value	41	42
Unfunded Commitments	'	'
% of Fair Value Not Redeemable	'	'
Estimated Liquidation Period of Investments Not Redeemable, % Next 5 Years	'	'
Estimated Liquidation Period of Investments Not Redeemable, % 5-10 Years	'	'
Estimated Liquidation Period of Investments Not Redeemable, % Thereafter	'	'
Equity Funds [Member] \| Monthly [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Investments Redeemable, Redemption Frequency	'monthly (58%)	'monthly (58)%
Equity Funds [Member] \| Quarterly [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Investments Redeemable, Redemption Frequency	'quarterly (28%)	'quarterly (29)%
Equity Funds [Member] \| Daily [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Investments Redeemable, Redemption Frequency	'daily (14%)	'daily (13)%
Equity Funds [Member] \| Minimum [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Investments Redeemable, Redemption Notice Period	'30 days	'30 days
Equity Funds [Member] \| Maximum [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Investments Redeemable, Redemption Notice Period	'90 days	'90 days
Private Equity Funds [Member] \| Equity Growth [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value	71,408	70,054
Unfunded Commitments	27,156	27,135
% of Fair Value Not Redeemable	100.00%	100.00%
Estimated Liquidation Period of Investments Not Redeemable, % Next 5 Years	14.00%	17.00%
Estimated Liquidation Period of Investments Not Redeemable, % 5-10 Years	61.00%	60.00%
Estimated Liquidation Period of Investments Not Redeemable, % Thereafter	25.00%	23.00%
Private Equity Funds [Member] \| Mezzanine Debt [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value	44,129	44,139
Unfunded Commitments	'	'
% of Fair Value Not Redeemable	100.00%	100.00%
Estimated Liquidation Period of Investments Not Redeemable, % Next 5 Years	'	'
Estimated Liquidation Period of Investments Not Redeemable, % 5-10 Years	'	'
Estimated Liquidation Period of Investments Not Redeemable, % Thereafter	100.00%	100.00%

Derivatives_Fair_Value_of_Deri

Derivatives - Fair Value of Derivatives Reported on Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Assets	$275	$682
Derivative Liabilities	219,172	164,001
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Contracts [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Assets	275	250
Derivative Liabilities	1,046	1,579
Total Return Swaps and Other [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Assets	'	432
Derivative Liabilities	4,688	'
Lazard Fund Interests and Other Similar Deferred Compensation Arrangements [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Liabilities	$213,438	$162,422

Derivatives_Fair_Value_of_Deri1

Derivatives - Fair Value of Derivatives Reported on Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gross derivative liability	$213,438	$162,422	$158,809	$97,593
Cash collateral pledged for total return swaps	15,884	11,384	'	'
Total Return Swaps [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gross derivative assets	120	2,019	'	'
Gross derivative liability	$4,808	$1,587	'	'

Derivatives_Net_Gains_Losses_w

Derivatives - Net Gains (Losses) with Respect to Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Gains (losses) on derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	($5,725)	($2,602)
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Contracts [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Gains (losses) on derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	-1,153	5,231
Lazard Fund Interests and Other Similar Deferred Compensation Arrangements [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Gains (losses) on derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	-2,626	-3,725
Total Return Swaps and Other [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Gains (losses) on derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	($1,946)	($4,108)

Property_Property_Detail

Property - Property (Detail) (USD $)

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Buildings [Member]

Leasehold Improvements [Member]

Furniture and Equipment [Member]

Construction in Progress [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Leasehold Improvements [Member]

Furniture and Equipment [Member]

Buildings [Member]

Leasehold Improvements [Member]

Furniture and Equipment [Member]

Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]

Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross

$505,905

$502,726

$173,735

$173,772

$176,369

$175,600

$151,311

$149,598

$4,490

$3,756

Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization

262,928

253,930

Property

$242,977

$248,796

Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life

'3 years

'33 years

'20 years

'10 years

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Components of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	$349,716	$345,453	$365,649	$364,328
Other intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization)	17,205	18,424	'	'
Goodwill and other intangible assets, Total	$366,921	$363,877	'	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	$349,716	$365,649	$345,453	$364,328
Amortization expense of intangible assets	1,220	877	'	'
Financial Advisory Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	285,175	'	280,912	'
Asset Management Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	$64,541	'	$64,541	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Beginning Balance	$345,453	$364,328
Business acquisitions	'	1,440
Foreign currency translation adjustments	4,263	-119
Ending Balance	$349,716	$365,649

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_5

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Gross Cost and Accumulated Amortization of Other Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Other intangible assets, Gross Cost	$63,804	$63,803
Other intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	46,599	45,379
Other intangible assets, Net Carrying Amount	17,205	18,424
Success\Performance Fees [Member]	'	'
Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Other intangible assets, Gross Cost	30,740	30,740
Other intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	17,687	17,173
Other intangible assets, Net Carrying Amount	13,053	13,567
Management Fees, Customer Relationships and Non-Compete Agreements [Member]	'	'
Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Other intangible assets, Gross Cost	33,064	33,063
Other intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	28,912	28,206
Other intangible assets, Net Carrying Amount	$4,152	$4,857

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_6

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Estimated Future Amortization Expense (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
2014 (April 1 through December 31)	$5,591
2015	6,433
2016	5,181
Total amortization expense	$17,205

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_7

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Estimated Future Amortization Expense (Parenthetical) (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Intangible asset amortization attributable to noncontrolling interest, percentage	43.00%

Senior_and_Subordinated_Debt_S

Senior and Subordinated Debt - Senior Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 25, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Nov. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 25, 2012	Lazard Group 6.85% Senior Notes [Member]	Lazard Group 6.85% Senior Notes [Member]	Lazard Group 4.25% Senior Notes [Member]	Lazard Group 4.25% Senior Notes [Member]	Lazard Group 4.25% Senior Notes [Member]	Lazard Group Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Senior Debt, Outstanding	$1,048,350	$1,048,350	'	$548,350	$548,350	'	$500,000	$500,000	'
Revolving Credit Facility, Initial Principal Amount	'	'	150,000	'	'	'	'	'	150,000
Senior Debt, Maturity Date	'	'	'	15-Jun-17	'	14-Nov-20	14-Nov-20	'	'
Credit Facility, Expiration Date	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	25-Sep-15
Revolving Credit Facility, Annual Interest Rate	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0.78%
Senior Debt, Initial Principal Amount	'	'	'	$600,000	'	$500,000	$500,000	'	'
Senior Debt, Annual Interest Rate	'	'	'	6.85%	'	4.25%	4.25%	'	'

Senior_and_Subordinated_Debt_A

Senior and Subordinated Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 25, 2012

Nov. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

7.125% Senior Notes [Member]

Lazard Group 4.25% Senior Notes [Member]

LFB [Member]

Edgewater [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Senior Debt [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Redemption of senior debt

$528,500

Senior notes interest rate

7.13%

4.25%

Senior Debt, Maturity Date

15-May-15

14-Nov-20

Senior Debt, Initial Principal Amount

500,000

Interest rate, payment terms

'Interest on the 2020 Notes is payable semi-annually on May 14 and November 14 of each year commencing on May 14, 2014.

Senior revolving credit facility over next 3 years

150,000

Expiration date of credit facility

25-Sep-15

Duration of senior revolving credit facility, in years

'3 years

Revolving credit facility annual interest rate

0.78%

Outstanding credit facility

Unused lines of credit

258,000

48,000

55,000

Fair value of senior debt

1,140,000

1,117,000

Fair value of senior debt in excess of the aggregate carrying amount

$92,000

$69,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended			0 Months Ended				3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 15, 2009	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 15, 2009	Jul. 15, 2009	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014
				Initial Shares [Member]	Earnout Shares [Member]	Initial Shares and Earnout Shares [Member]	Initial Shares and Earnout Shares [Member]	Class A Common Stock [Member]	Class A Common Stock [Member]	Class A Common Stock [Member]
										Maximum [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Guarantees indemnifications	'	$5,908	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Collateral/counter-guarantees	'	5,255	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Aggregate fair value of consideration recognized by the company at acquisition date	61,624	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Additional shares issued and subject to earnout criteria and payable over time	'	'	'	1,142,857	1,142,857	'	'	'	'	'
Initial and Earnout shares earned	'	'	'	'	'	1,371,992	1,371,992	'	'	'
Earnout shares became settled	'	0	1,029,006	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock issuable on non-contingent basis	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	170,988	'
Common stock issued on non-contingent basis	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	170,988	'	'
Common stock issuable on contingent basis	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	202,650
Underwriting commitments	'	$0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2012

Apr. 30, 2012

Oct. 31, 2011

Feb. 28, 2011

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Apr. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Apr. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Subsequent Event [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Class A Common Stock [Member]

Series A Preferred Stock [Member]

Series B Preferred Stock [Member]

LAZ-MD Holdings [Member]

Subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]

Company tax distributions

Share repurchase remaining authorization

14,654,000

Share repurchase program expiration date

'December 31, 2015

'December 31, 2014

'December 31, 2013

'December 31, 2012

'December 31, 2015

'2015-12-31

New share repurchase authorization repurchase amount

$200,000,000

Authorized shares of preferred stock

15,000,000

Par value of preferred stock

$0.01

Outstanding shares of preferred stock

7,921

Conversion of Series A preferred stock into Class A common stock (in shares)

DIVIDEND DECLARED PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK

$0.30

Dividend payable date

23-May-14

Dividend date of record

12-May-14

Dividend declare date

30-Apr-14

Stockholders_Equity_Lazard_Gro

Stockholders' Equity - Lazard Group Distributed Amounts to LAZ-MD Holdings and Subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Schedule Of Group Distributions [Line Items]	'	'
Dividends distributed by Lazard Group	$35,917	'
Lazard Ltd [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Group Distributions [Line Items]	'	'
Total distributed by Lazard Group	36,130	'
LAZ-MD Holdings [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Group Distributions [Line Items]	'	'
Total distributed by Lazard Group	213	'
Subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Group Distributions [Line Items]	'	'
Dividends distributed by Lazard Group	$35,917	'

Stockholders_Equity_Schedule_o

Stockholders' Equity - Schedule of Share Repurchase Authorized by Board of Directors (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended					3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Feb. 28, 2011	Mar. 31, 2014
Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Share Repurchase Authorization	$100,000	$200,000	$125,000	$125,000	$250,000	'
Expiration	'December 31, 2015	'December 31, 2014	'December 31, 2013	'December 31, 2013	'December 31, 2012	'December 31, 2015

Stockholders_Equity_Schedule_o1

Stockholders' Equity - Schedule of Share Repurchase Program (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Share Repurchase Program [Abstract]	'	'
Number of Shares/Common Membership Interests Purchased	2,392,674	831,157
Average Price Per Share/Common Membership Interest	$44.69	$36.30

Stockholders_Equity_Accumulate

Stockholders' Equity - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning balance	($133,004)	($110,541)
Other comprehensive gain (loss) before reclassifications	5,339	-15,681
Adjustments for items reclassified to earnings, net of tax	1,282	1,464
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	6,621	-14,217
Ending balance	-126,383	-124,758
Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning balance	3,869	19,405
Other comprehensive gain (loss) before reclassifications	5,913	-12,433
Adjustments for items reclassified to earnings, net of tax	'	'
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	5,913	-12,433
Ending balance	9,782	6,972
Interest Rate Hedge [Member]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning balance	'	-2,502
Other comprehensive gain (loss) before reclassifications	'	'
Adjustments for items reclassified to earnings, net of tax	'	264
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	'	264
Ending balance	'	-2,238
Employee Benefit Plans [Member]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning balance	-137,431	-128,536
Other comprehensive gain (loss) before reclassifications	-557	-3,423
Adjustments for items reclassified to earnings, net of tax	1,289	1,218
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	732	-2,205
Ending balance	-136,699	-130,741
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Member]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning balance	-133,562	-111,633
Other comprehensive gain (loss) before reclassifications	5,356	-15,856
Adjustments for items reclassified to earnings, net of tax	1,289	1,482
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	6,645	-14,374
Ending balance	-126,917	-126,007
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning balance	-558	-1,092
Other comprehensive gain (loss) before reclassifications	17	-175
Adjustments for items reclassified to earnings, net of tax	7	18
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	24	-157
Ending balance	($534)	($1,249)

Stockholders_Equity_Adjustment

Stockholders' Equity - Adjustments for Items Reclassified Out of AOCI (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Less - related income taxes	$21,751	$3,948
Net of tax	1,282	1,464
Total reclassifications, net of tax	1,289	1,482
Interest Rate Hedge [Member]	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Net of tax	'	264
Employee Benefit Plans [Member]	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Amortization relating to employee benefit plans	1,821	1,620
Less - related income taxes	532	402
Net of tax	$1,289	$1,218

Stockholders_Equity_Changes_in

Stockholders' Equity - Changes in Ownership Interests (Detail)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Lazard Ltd [Member]	'	'
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]	'	'
Ending balance (in shares)	129,056,081	128,216,423
Percentage of Ownership, Ending Balance	99.50%	98.80%
LAZ-MD Holdings [Member]	'	'
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]	'	'
Ending balance (in shares)	710,009	1,549,667
Percentage of Ownership, Ending Balance	0.50%	1.20%
Total Lazard Group Common Membership Interests [Member]	'	'
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]	'	'
Ending balance (in shares)	129,766,090	129,766,090

Stockholders_Equity_Net_Income

Stockholders' Equity - Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Change In Ownership Interest [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Income (Loss) Attributable To Noncontrolling Interests	$4,587	$2,289	'
Noncontrolling interests	69,797	'	69,789
Edgewater [Member]	'	'	'
Change In Ownership Interest [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Income (Loss) Attributable To Noncontrolling Interests	4,120	2,366	'
Noncontrolling interests	66,849	'	66,641
LAZ-MD Holdings [Member]	'	'	'
Change In Ownership Interest [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Income (Loss) Attributable To Noncontrolling Interests	467	192	'
Noncontrolling interests	2,168	'	2,566
Other [Member]	'	'	'
Change In Ownership Interest [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Income (Loss) Attributable To Noncontrolling Interests	'	-269	'
Noncontrolling interests	$780	'	$582

Incentive_Plans_Additional_Inf

Incentive Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 01, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

RSUs [Member]

Liability Awards [Member]

Lazard Fund Interests [Member]

Non-Executive [Member]

DSUs [Member]

RSUs [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

PRSUs [Member]

Class A Common Stock [Member]

RSUs [Member]

March 2015 [Member]

March 2016 [Member]

RSUs [Member]

2005 Plan [Member]

Awarded under 2008 Plan [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Shares authorized pertaining to share based compensation arrangements, 2005 Plan

25,000,000

Percentage of outstanding Class A common stock

30.00%

Common Stock Conversion Basis

'One-for-one

Grant date fair value, amortized periods

'Generally one-third after two years, and the remaining two-thirds after the third year

Percentage of annual compensation received by directors in the form of DSUs

55.00%

Annual compensation paid in DSUs

Units granted under the directors deferred unit plan

2,310

1,886

Withholding taxes in lieu of share delivery

1,843,389

3,231,285

29,999

12,308

Delivery of common stock associated with stock awards

4,474,223

5,037,459

175,076

1,702,967

RSU's modified through a forward purchase agreements

958,213

Liability award

$28,612

Liability awards, compensation expense

1,690

Unrecognized compensation expense

$267,421

$20,657

$33,673

Unrecognized compensation expense, years

'2 years 2 months 12 days

'1 year 7 months 6 days

'1 year 10 months 24 days

'2 years

Vesting period associated with PRSUs

33.00%

67.00%

Percentage of target number of shares subject to each PRSU no longer subject to forfeiture due to threshold level of performance being achieved

25.00%

Descriptions of vesting period associated with PRSUs

'The PRSUs granted in 2014 will vest on a single date three years following the date of the grant

Vesting period of PRSUs granted in 2014 Share?Based?Compensation?Arrangement?By?Share?Based?Payment?Award?Award?Vesting?Period?1 P3Y

'3 years

PSRU's target share distribution for Class A common stock, description

'The target number of shares of Class A common stock subject to each PRSU is one; however, based on the achievement of the performance criteria, the number of shares of Class A common stock that may be received in connection with each PRSU can range from zero to two times the target number (or, for PRSUs granted in 2013, three times the target number in the event of a substantial increase in fiscal year 2014 revenue (adjusted for certain items)).

Incentive_Plans_Summary_of_Imp

Incentive Plans - Summary of Impact of Share-Based Incentive Plans on Compensation and Benefits Expense (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Share-based incentive awards:	'	'
Share-based incentive awards	$60,797	$70,712
RSUs [Member]	'	'
Share-based incentive awards:	'	'
Share-based incentive awards	52,285	64,942
PRSUs [Member]	'	'
Share-based incentive awards:	'	'
Share-based incentive awards	1,798	438
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'
Share-based incentive awards:	'	'
Share-based incentive awards	6,612	5,261
DSUs [Member]	'	'
Share-based incentive awards:	'	'
Share-based incentive awards	$102	$71

Incentive_Plans_Summary_of_Imp1

Incentive Plans - Summary of Impact of Share-Based Incentive Plans on Compensation and Benefits Expense (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013
RSUs [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Cost Saving Initiatives	$4,455
Restricted Stock [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Cost Saving Initiatives	$233

Incentive_Plans_Schedule_of_Is

Incentive Plans - Schedule of Issuance of RSUs and Charges to Retained Earnings (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Number of RSUs issued	115,297
Charges to retained earnings, net of estimated forfeitures	$5,013

Incentive_Plans_Schedule_of_Ac

Incentive Plans - Schedule of Activity Relating to RSUs and DSUs (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
RSUs [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Units, Beginning Balance	16,630,009	21,481,131
Units, Granted	3,492,223	4,297,664
Units, Forfeited	-21,301	-45,907
Units, Vested	-6,317,612	-8,268,744
Units, Ending Balance	13,783,319	17,464,144
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning Balance	$34.51	$33.92
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$43	$37.33
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited	$34.61	$36.12
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	$38.04	$34.97
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending Balance	$35.04	$34.26
DSUs [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Units, Beginning Balance	251,434	204,496
Units, Granted	2,310	1,886
Units, Forfeited	'	'
Units, Vested	'	'
Units, Ending Balance	253,744	206,382
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning Balance	$32.02	$31.47
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$44.35	$37.60
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited	'	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	'	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending Balance	$32.13	$31.52

Incentive_Plans_Schedule_of_Ac1

Incentive Plans - Schedule of Activity Relating to RSUs and DSUs (Parenthetical) (Detail) (RSUs [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
RSUs [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Dividend participation rights	115,297

Incentive_Plans_Summary_of_Act

Incentive Plans - Summary of Activity Related to Shares of Restricted Class A Common Stock (Detail) (RSA [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
RSA [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Units, Beginning Balance	575,054	1,972,609
Units, Granted	449,344	388,763
Units, Forfeited	'	-3,269
Units, Vested	-205,075	-1,715,275
Units, Ending Balance	819,323	642,828
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning Balance	$32.72	$34.85
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$45.52	$36.73
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited	'	$36.64
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	$35.23	$36.04
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending Balance	$39.11	$32.81

Incentive_Plans_Summary_of_Act1

Incentive Plans - Summary of Activity Relating to PRSUs (Detail) (PRSUs [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
PRSUs [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Units, Beginning Balance	448,128	'
Units, Granted	360,783	448,128
Units, Ending Balance	808,911	448,128
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning Balance	$36.11	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$44.46	$36.11
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending Balance	$39.83	$36.11

Incentive_Plans_Summary_of_Fun

Incentive Plans - Summary of Fund Interests and Other Similar Deferred Compensation Arrangements (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Deferred Compensation Arrangements [Abstract]	'	'
Prepaid Compensation Asset, Beginning Balance	$60,433	$47,445
Prepaid Compensation Asset, Granted	92,711	72,182
Prepaid Compensation Asset, Settled	'	'
Prepaid Compensation Asset, Forfeited	-9	-309
Prepaid Compensation Asset, Amortization	-19,407	-12,488
Prepaid Compensation Asset, Increase in fair value of underlying investments	'	'
Prepaid Compensation Asset, Adjustment for estimated forfeitures	'	'
Prepaid Compensation Asset, Other	116	-106
Prepaid Compensation Asset, Ending Balance	133,844	106,724
Compensation Liability, Beginning Balance	162,422	97,593
Compensation Liability, Granted	92,711	72,182
Compensation Liability, Settled	-45,450	-14,832
Compensation Liability, Forfeited	-2	-396
Compensation Liability, Amortization	'	'
Compensation Liability, Increase in fair value of underlying investments	2,626	3,725
Compensation Liability, Adjustment for estimated forfeitures	899	648
Compensation Liability, Other	232	-111
Compensation Liability, Ending Balance	$213,438	$158,809

Incentive_Plans_Summary_of_Imp2

Incentive Plans - Summary of Impact of Fund Interests and Other Similar Deferred Compensation Arrangements (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Share Based Compensation [Abstract]	'	'
Amortization, net of forfeitures	$20,313	$13,049
Change in the fair value of underlying investments	2,626	3,725
Total	$22,939	$16,774

Incentive_Plans_Summary_of_Imp3

Incentive Plans - Summary of Impact of Fund Interests and Other Similar Deferred Compensation Arrangements (Parenthetical) (Detail) (Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013
Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Staff reductions and Cost Savings Initiatives	$917

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Additio

Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
	USD ($)	USD ($)	Other Non-U.S. Pension Plans [Member]	U.K. Pension Plans [Member]	U.K. Pension Plans [Member]	U.K. Pension Plans [Member]	U.S. Pension Plans [Member]	Payments From 2014 Through 2020 [Member]	Payments From 2012 Through 2020 [Member]
			USD ($)	GBP (£)	USD ($)	GBP (£)	USD ($)	GBP (£)	GBP (£)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Company contribution to pension plans	'	'	$4,800,000	£ 0	$3,687,000	£ 2,300,000	$0	'	'
Additional contribution to plan assets or escrow account	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,000,000	1,000,000
Amended amount from previous escrow arrangement	'	'	'	'	'	10,200,000	'	'	'
Aggregate amount in account security arrangement	$17,000,000	$16,900,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Compone

Employee Benefit Plans - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Pension Plans [Member]	'	'
Components of Net Benefit Cost (Credit):	'	'
Service cost	$223	$314
Interest cost	7,531	6,753
Expected return on plan assets	-8,079	-6,797
Amortization of:	'	'
Prior service cost	733	706
Net actuarial loss	1,111	914
Net benefit cost	1,519	1,890
Medical Plan [Member]	'	'
Components of Net Benefit Cost (Credit):	'	'
Service cost	12	10
Interest cost	53	47
Expected return on plan assets	'	'
Amortization of:	'	'
Prior service cost	'	'
Net actuarial loss	-23	'
Net benefit cost	$42	$57

Cost_Saving_Initiatives_Schedu

Cost Saving Initiatives - Schedule of Expenses and Cumulative Expenses Associated With Implementation of Cost Savings Initiatives (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2013