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Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	LZD
Entity Registrant Name	Lazard Group LLC
Entity Central Index Key	0001326141
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	0
Entity Public Float			$ 0
Managing Member Interests [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Membership Interests, Shares Outstanding		2

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

Dec. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 1,131,440

$ 1,025,844

Deposits with banks and short-term investments

419,668

389,861

Cash deposited with clearing organizations and other segregated cash

29,030

34,948

Receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $16,386 and $12,882 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively):

Fees

564,291

423,817

Customers and other

73,991

73,396

Lazard Ltd subsidiaries

28,702

108,817

Total receivables, net

666,984

606,030

Investments

459,422

530,712

Property (net of accumulated amortization and depreciation of $285,997 and $265,505 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively)

208,997

207,165

Goodwill and other intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $59,618 and $57,561 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively)

358,982

326,976

Deferred tax assets

59,767

52,695

Other assets

181,694

214,823

Total Assets

3,515,984

3,389,054

Liabilities:

Deposits and other customer payables

472,283

506,665

Accrued compensation and benefits

539,944

570,409

Senior debt

1,188,600

989,358

Payable to Lazard Ltd subsidiaries

60,898

104,893

Deferred tax liabilities

8,625

11,104

Capital lease obligations

7,205

9,028

Other liabilities

502,289

494,697

Total Liabilities

2,779,844

2,686,154

Commitments and contingencies

MEMBERS’ EQUITY

Members' equity (net of 6,697,790 and 3,322,385 shares of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock, at a cost of $244,518 and $161,288 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively)

949,669

839,517

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

(270,775)

(189,758)

Total Lazard Group LLC Members' Equity

678,894

649,759

Noncontrolling interests

57,246

53,141

Total Members’ Equity

736,140

^[1]

702,900

^[2]

Total Liabilities and Members’ Equity

$ 3,515,984

$ 3,389,054

[1]	At December 31, 2016, in addition to profit participation interests, there were two managing member interests.
[2]	At December 31, 2015, in addition to profit participation interests, there were two managing member interests.

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivables	$ 16,386	$ 12,882
Property, accumulated amortization and depreciation	285,997	265,505
Goodwill and other intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$ 59,618	$ 57,561
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Lazard Ltd common stock, shares	6,697,790	3,322,385
Lazard Ltd common stock, cost	$ 244,518	$ 161,288

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
REVENUE
Investment banking and other advisory fees	$ 1,298,364	$ 1,276,096	$ 1,201,424
Asset management fees	998,887	1,036,821	1,080,842
Interest income	5,449	5,661	11,108
Other	80,901	86,583	75,567
Total revenue	2,383,601	2,405,161	2,368,941
Interest expense	53,730	54,885	68,205
Net revenue	2,329,871	2,350,276	2,300,736
OPERATING EXPENSES
Compensation and benefits	1,338,819	1,319,620	1,313,550
Occupancy and equipment	109,237	109,841	111,522
Marketing and business development	82,975	81,541	88,029
Technology and information services	97,442	95,526	91,119
Professional services	42,772	46,796	44,495
Fund administration and outsourced services	63,420	61,363	65,457
Amortization and other acquisition-related costs	32,539	5,821	6,387
Other	40,674	98,923	39,202
Total operating expenses	1,807,878	1,819,431	1,759,761
OPERATING INCOME	521,993	530,845	540,975
Provision for income taxes	49,673	81,548	77,815
NET INCOME	472,320	449,297	463,160
LESS - NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	5,993	6,559	6,156
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO LAZARD GROUP LLC	$ 466,327	$ 442,738	$ 457,004

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME	$ 472,320	$ 449,297	$ 463,160
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX:
Currency translation adjustments	(56,619)	(44,062)	(43,861)
Employee benefit plans:
Actuarial gain (loss) (net of tax expense (benefit) of $(2,754), $5,644 and $(9,045) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively)	(26,924)	11,283	(21,983)
Adjustment for items reclassified to earnings (net of tax expense of $1,757, $1,507 and $1,923 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively)	2,526	6,309	4,749
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS, NET OF TAX	(81,017)	(26,470)	(61,095)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	391,303	422,827	402,065
LESS - COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	5,993	6,559	6,153
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO LAZARD GROUP LLC	$ 385,310	$ 416,268	$ 395,912

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Tax expense (benefit) on actuarial gain (loss), employee benefit plans	$ (2,754)	$ 5,644	$ (9,045)
Tax (benefit) expense, adjustment for items reclassified to earnings, employee benefit plans	$ 1,757	$ 1,507	$ 1,923

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 472,320	$ 449,297	$ 463,160
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property	33,268	32,785	34,463
Amortization of deferred expenses and share-based incentive compensation	340,903	319,744	294,960
Amortization and other acquisition-related costs	32,539	5,821	6,387
Deferred tax provision (benefit)	(5,225)	(2,898)	12,733
Loss on extinguishment of debt	3,148	60,219
Gain on acquisition of portion of business already owned	(12,668)
Gain on disposal of subsidiaries		(24,388)
(Increase) decrease in operating assets:
Deposits with banks and short-term investments	(44,278)	(207,373)	8,544
Cash deposited with clearing organizations and other segregated cash	5,767	6,909	15,656
Receivables-net	(76,014)	(75,340)	(57,618)
Investments	60,353	64,232	(159,544)
Other assets	(53,391)	(109,321)	(113,622)
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
Deposits and other payables	(17,095)	204,886	32,541
Accrued compensation and benefits and other liabilities	(104,698)	44,327	184,704
Net cash provided by operating activities	634,929	768,900	722,364
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Additions to property	(38,749)	(26,629)	(22,184)
Disposals of property	1,096	677	2,085
Net cash used in investing activities	(37,653)	(25,952)	(20,099)
Proceeds from:
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	93	275	1,332
Issuance of senior debt, net of expenses	296,757	396,272
Excess tax benefits from share-based incentive compensation	4,072	13,300	5,149
Other financing activities	24,484		200
Payments for:
Senior debt	(101,441)	(509,098)
Capital lease obligations	(1,619)	(1,826)	(2,171)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(1,981)	(16,286)	(11,546)
Purchase of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock	(300,217)	(215,642)	(141,192)
Distribution to members	(301,262)	(129,787)	(322,369)
Settlement of vested share-based incentive compensation	(56,078)	(120,116)	(85,442)
Other financing activities	(4,797)	(2,371)	(5,840)
Net cash used in financing activities	(441,989)	(585,279)	(561,879)
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH	(49,691)	(49,037)	(55,451)
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	105,596	108,632	84,935
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—January 1	1,025,844	917,212	832,277
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—December 31	1,131,440	1,025,844	917,212
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest	49,700	49,086	66,049
Income taxes, net of refunds	$ 66,923	$ 56,564	$ 48,722

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Members' Equity - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

Total

Members' Equity [Member]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Member]

Total Lazard Group LLC Members' Equity [Member]

Noncontrolling Interests [Member]

Balance at Dec. 31, 2013

$ 536,126

$ 571,668

$ (102,196)

$ 469,472

$ 66,654

Comprehensive income (loss):

Net income

463,160

457,004

6,156

Other comprehensive loss - net of tax

(61,095)

(61,092)

(3)

Amortization of share-based incentive compensation

206,195

Distributions to members and noncontrolling interests, net

(332,583)

(322,369)

(10,214)

Purchase of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock

(232,220)

Delivery of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock in connection with share-based incentive compensation and related tax expense (benefit)

(80,659)

Business acquisitions and related equity transactions:

Delivery of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock and related tax benefit

285

Lazard Ltd Class A common stock issuable (including related amortization)

570

Other

(5,640)

Balance at Dec. 31, 2014

^[1]

494,139

594,834

(163,288)

431,546

62,593

Comprehensive income (loss):

Net income

449,297

442,738

6,559

Other comprehensive loss - net of tax

(26,470)

Amortization of share-based incentive compensation

226,723

Contribution from member

30,000

Distributions to members and noncontrolling interests, net

(145,798)

(129,787)

(16,011)

Purchase of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock

(215,642)

Delivery of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock in connection with share-based incentive compensation and related tax expense (benefit)

(106,978)

Business acquisitions and related equity transactions:

Other

(2,371)

Balance at Dec. 31, 2015

^[2]

702,900

839,517

(189,758)

649,759

53,141

Comprehensive income (loss):

Net income

472,320

466,327

5,993

Other comprehensive loss - net of tax

(81,017)

Amortization of share-based incentive compensation

261,462

Distributions to members and noncontrolling interests, net

(303,150)

(301,262)

(1,888)

Purchase of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock

(300,217)

Delivery of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock in connection with share-based incentive compensation and related tax expense (benefit)

(56,298)

Business acquisitions and related equity transactions:

Delivery of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock and related tax benefit

3,390

Lazard Ltd Class A common stock issuable (including related amortization)

31,139

Other

5,611

Balance at Dec. 31, 2016

^[3]

$ 736,140

$ 949,669

$ (270,775)

$ 678,894

$ 57,246

[1]	Includes 129,766,090 common membership interests issued at December 31,2014. Also includes profit participation interests and two managing member interests.
[2]	At December 31, 2015, in addition to profit participation interests, there were two managing member interests.
[3]	At December 31, 2016, in addition to profit participation interests, there were two managing member interests.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Members' Equity (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Tax expense (benefit) related to delivery of Class A Common Stock in connection with share-based incentive compensation	$ 220	$ (13,138)	$ (4,783)
Membership Interests, shares issued			129,766,090
Managing Member Interests [Member]
Membership Interests, shares issued	2	2	2

Organization and Basis of Presentation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Organization and Basis of Presentation

1.	ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Organization

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are those of Lazard Group LLC and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “Lazard Group” or the “Company”). Lazard Group is a Delaware limited liability company and is governed by an Amended and Restated Operating Agreement dated as of October 26, 2015, as amended (the “Operating Agreement”).

Lazard Ltd, a Bermuda holding company, and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “Lazard Ltd”), including its indirect investment in 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 100% of all outstanding Lazard Group common membership interests as of December 31, 2016 and 2015. Lazard Ltd, through its control of the managing members of Lazard Group, controls Lazard Group. LAZ-MD Holdings LLC (“LAZ-MD Holdings”), an entity formerly owned by Lazard Group’s current and former managing directors, held approximately 0.5% of the outstanding Lazard Group common membership interests as of January 1, 2014. As of January 1, 2014, LAZ-MD Holdings was also the sole owner of the one issued and outstanding share of Lazard Ltd’s Class B common stock (the “Class B common stock”). In May 2014, the remaining outstanding Lazard Group common membership interests held by LAZ-MD Holdings were exchanged for shares of Lazard Ltd’s Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Class A common stock”), and the sole issued and outstanding share of Lazard Ltd’s Class B common stock was automatically converted into one share of Lazard Ltd’s Class A common stock pursuant to the provisions of Lazard Ltd’s bye-laws, resulting in only one outstanding class of common stock (the “Final Exchange of LAZ-MD Interests”). Following the Final Exchange of LAZ-MD Interests, Lazard Group became a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Lazard Ltd.

Lazard Group’s 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, corporate preparedness 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, deferred tax assets, outstanding indebtedness and assets and liabilities associated with Lazard Group’s Paris-based subsidiary Lazard Frères Banque SA (“LFB”).

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The Company’s policy is to consolidate entities in which it has a controlling financial interest. The Company consolidates:

•

Voting interest entities (“VOEs”) where the Company holds a majority of the voting interest in such VOEs, and

•

Variable interest entities (“VIEs”) where the Company is the primary beneficiary having the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of, or receive benefits from, the VIE that could be potentially significant to the VIE.

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 either (i) applies the equity method of accounting in

which it records a proportionate share of the entity’s net earnings, or (ii) elects the option to measure at fair value. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

The consolidated financial statements include 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 Lazard Frères Gestion SAS (“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.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation as a result of the adoption of the new guidance on classification of debt issuance costs and the impact of such guidance on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies

2.	SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accounting policies below relate to reported amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.

Foreign Currency Translation—The consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. Dollars. Many of the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries have a functional currency (i.e., the currency in which operational activities are primarily conducted) that is other than the U.S. Dollar, generally the currency of the country in which such subsidiaries are domiciled. Such subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. Dollars at year-end exchange rates, while revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the year based on the daily closing exchange rates. Adjustments that result from translating amounts from a subsidiary’s functional currency to U.S. Dollars are reported in “accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax” (“AOCI”). Foreign currency remeasurement gains and losses on transactions in non-functional currencies are included on the consolidated statements of operations. Foreign currency remeasurement gains (losses), net of hedge transactions (see Note 7) amounted to $(1,465), $1,467 and $296, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, and are included in “revenue-other” on the respective consolidated statements of operations.

Use of Estimates—The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the use of management’s estimates. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management makes estimates and assumptions regarding:

•

valuations of assets and liabilities requiring fair value estimates including, but not limited to, investments, derivatives, securities sold, not yet purchased and assumptions used to value pension and other post-retirement plans;

•

the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts;

•

the realization of deferred tax assets and adequacy of tax reserves for uncertain tax positions;

•

the outcome of litigation;

•

the carrying amount of goodwill and other intangible assets;

•

the amortization period of intangible assets;

•

the valuation of shares issued or issuable that contain transfer restrictions;

•

the vesting of share-based and other deferred compensation plan awards; and

•

other matters that affect the reported amounts and disclosure of contingencies in the consolidated financial statements.

Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and available information. Therefore, actual results could differ from those estimates and could have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents—The Company defines cash equivalents as short-term, highly liquid securities and cash deposits with original maturities of 90 days or less when purchased.

Deposits with Banks and Short-Term Investments—Represents LFB’s short-term deposits, including with the Banque de France and amounts placed by LFB in short-term, highly liquid securities, such as French government securities, with original maturities of 90 days or less when purchased. The level of these deposits and investments may be driven by the level of LFB customer and bank-related interest-bearing time and demand deposits (which can fluctuate significantly on a daily basis) and by changes in asset allocation.

Cash Deposited with Clearing Organizations and Other Segregated Cash—Primarily represents restricted cash deposits made by the Company, including those to satisfy the requirements of clearing organizations.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts—We maintain an allowance for bad debts to provide for estimated losses relating to fees and customer receivables. We determine the adequacy of the allowance by estimating the probability of loss based on management’s analysis of the client’s creditworthiness and specifically reserve against exposures where we determine the receivables may be impaired, which may include situations where a fee is in dispute or litigation has commenced.

With respect to fees receivable from Financial Advisory activities, such receivables are generally deemed past due when they are outstanding 60 days from the date of invoice. However, some Financial Advisory transactions include specific contractual payment terms that may vary from one month to four years (as is the case for our interest-bearing financing receivables) following the invoice date or may be subject to court approval (as is the case with bankruptcy-related restructuring assignments). In such cases, receivables are deemed past due when payment is not received by the agreed-upon contractual date or the court approval date, respectively. Financial Advisory fee receivables past due in excess of 180 days are fully provided for unless there is evidence that the balance is collectable. Asset Management fees are deemed past due and fully provided for when such receivables are outstanding 12 months after the invoice date. Notwithstanding our policy for receivables past due, we specifically reserve against exposures relating to Financial Advisory and Asset Management fees where we determine receivables are impaired.

See Note 4 for additional information regarding receivables.

Investments—Investments in debt and marketable equity securities held either directly, or indirectly through asset management funds, at the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiaries are accounted for at fair value, with any increase or decrease in fair value recorded in earnings. Such amounts are reflected in “revenue-other” in the consolidated statements of operations.

Investments in debt and marketable equity securities held at the Company’s non broker-dealer subsidiaries are considered “trading” securities and are accounted for at fair value, with any increase or decrease in fair value reflected in “revenue-other” in the consolidated statements of operations.

Investments also include interests in alternative investment funds and private equity funds, each accounted for at fair value, as well as investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Any increases or decreases in the carrying value of those investments accounted for at fair value and the Company’s share of net income or losses pertaining to its equity method investments are reflected in “revenue-other” in the consolidated statements of operations.

Dividend income is reflected in “revenue-other” on the consolidated statements of operations. Interest income includes accretion or amortization of any discount or premium arising at acquisition of the related debt security. Securities transactions and the related revenue and expenses are recorded on a “trade date” basis.

See Notes 5 and 6 for additional information regarding the Company’s investments.

Property-net—Property is stated at cost or, in the case of property under capital leases, the present value of the future minimum lease payments, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Buildings represent owned property and amounts recorded pursuant to capital leases (see Notes 8 and 12), with the related obligations recorded as capital lease obligations. Such buildings are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and are amortized over the lesser of the economic useful life of the improvement or the term of the lease. Depreciation of furniture and equipment, including computer hardware and software, is determined on a straight-line basis using estimated useful lives. Depreciation and amortization expense aggregating $33,268, $32,785 and $34,463 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, is included on the respective consolidated statements of operations in “occupancy and equipment” or “technology and information services”, depending on the nature of the underlying asset. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets—As goodwill has an indefinite life, it is required to be tested for impairment annually or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. The Company performs a qualitative evaluation about whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount in lieu of actually calculating the fair value of the reporting unit.

The Company completed its annual goodwill review as of November 1, 2016, and determined that no impairment existed.

Intangible assets that are not deemed to have an indefinite life are amortized over their estimated useful lives and are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. The pattern of amortization reflects the timing of the realization of the economic benefits of such intangible assets. For acquired customer contracts, the period of realization is deemed to be the period when the related revenue is recognized. This analysis is performed by comparing the carrying value of the intangible asset being reviewed for impairment to the current and expected future cash flows expected to be generated from such asset on an undiscounted basis, including eventual disposition. An impairment loss would be measured for the amount by which the carrying amount of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value.

See Note 9 with respect to goodwill and other intangible assets.

Derivative Instruments—A derivative is typically defined as an instrument whose value is “derived” from underlying assets, indices or reference rates, such as a future, forward, swap, or option contract, or other financial instrument with similar characteristics. Derivative contracts often involve future commitments to exchange interest payment streams or currencies based on a notional or contractual amount (e.g., interest rate swaps or currency forwards) or to purchase or sell other financial instruments at specified terms on a specified date (e.g., options to buy or sell securities or currencies).

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 economic hedging instruments are included in “interest income” and “interest expense”, respectively, or “revenue-other”, depending on the nature of the underlying item, in 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 (“LFI”) 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 LFI and other similar deferred compensation arrangements, which are reported in “revenue-other” in the consolidated statements of operations. For information regarding LFI and other similar deferred compensation arrangements, see Notes 5, 7 and 14.

Deposits and Other Customer Payables—Principally relates to LFB customer-related demand deposits, both interest-bearing and non-interest bearing.

Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased—Securities sold, not yet purchased represents liabilities for securities sold for which payment has been received and the obligations to deliver such securities are included within “other liabilities” in the consolidated statements of financial condition. These securities are accounted for at fair value, with any increase or decrease in fair value recorded in earnings in accordance with standard securities industry practices. Such gains and losses are reflected in “revenue-other” in the consolidated statements of operations.

Contingent Consideration Liabilities—The contingent consideration liabilities of businesses acquired in a business combination are initially recorded at the estimated fair value and any change in the fair value is recognized in “amortization and other acquisition-related costs” in the consolidated statements of operations. The contingent consideration liability is included in “other liabilities” on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities—The majority of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value or at amounts that approximate fair value. Such assets and liabilities include cash and cash equivalents, deposits with banks and short-term investments, cash deposited with clearing organizations and other segregated cash, receivables, investments (excluding investments accounted for at amortized cost, interest-bearing deposits or using the equity method of accounting), derivative instruments, deposits and other customer payables.

Revenue Recognition

Investment Banking and Other Advisory Fees—Fees for M&A and Other Advisory services and Restructuring advisory services are recorded when (i) there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement with a client, (ii) fees are fixed or determinable, (iii) the agreed-upon services have been completed and delivered to the client or the transaction or events contemplated in the engagement letter are determined to be substantially completed, which is generally the date the related transactions are consummated and (iv) collection is reasonably assured. Expenses that are directly related to such transactions and billable to clients are deferred to match revenue recognition. “Investment banking and other advisory fees” on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations are presented net of client reimbursements of expenses. The amount of expenses reimbursed by clients for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 are $16,998, $19,358 and $20,407, respectively.

Asset Management Fees—Asset Management fees are derived from fees for investment management and advisory services provided to clients. Revenue is recorded on an accrual basis primarily based on a percentage of client assets managed. Fees vary with the type of assets managed, with higher fees earned on equity assets, alternative investment (such as hedge funds) and private equity funds, and lower fees earned on fixed income and money market products.

In addition, the Company earns performance-based incentive fees on various investment products, including traditional products and alternative investment funds such as hedge funds and private equity funds.

For hedge funds, incentive fees are calculated based on a specified percentage of a fund’s net appreciation, in some cases in excess of established benchmarks or thresholds. The Company records incentive fees on traditional products and hedge funds at the end of the relevant performance measurement period, when potential uncertainties regarding the ultimate realizable amounts have been determined. The incentive fee measurement period is generally an annual period (unless an account terminates during the year). The incentive fees received at the end of the measurement period are not subject to reversal or payback. Incentive fees on hedge funds generally are subject to loss carryforward provisions in which losses incurred by the hedge funds in any year are applied against certain gains realized by the hedge funds in future periods before any incentive fees can be earned.

For private equity funds, incentive fees may be earned in the form of a “carried interest” if profits arising from realized investments exceed a specified threshold. Typically, such carried interest is ultimately calculated on a whole-fund basis and, therefore, clawback of carried interests during the life of the fund can occur. As a result, incentive fees earned on our private equity funds are not recognized until potential uncertainties regarding the ultimate realizable amounts have been determined, including any potential for clawback.

Receivables relating to asset management and incentive fees are reported in “fees receivable” on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Soft Dollar Arrangements—The Company’s Asset Management business obtains research and other services through “soft dollar” arrangements. Consistent with the “soft dollar” safe harbor established by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Asset Management business does not have any contractual obligation or arrangement requiring it to pay for research and other services obtained through soft dollar arrangements with brokers. Instead, the provider is obligated to pay for the services. Consequently, the Company does not incur any liability and does not accrue any expenses in connection with any research or other services obtained by the Asset Management business pursuant to such soft dollar arrangements. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company obtained research and other services through soft dollar arrangements valued at approximately $23,000. If the use of soft dollars is limited or prohibited in the future by regulation, we may have to bear the costs of such research and other services.

Equity-Based Incentive Compensation Awards—Equity-based incentive compensation awards that do not require future service are expensed immediately. Equity-based compensation awards that require future service are amortized over the applicable vesting period, or requisite service period, based on the fair value of the Company’s Class A common stock on the date of grant. Compensation expense recognized for equity-based incentive compensation is determined based on the number of awards that in the Company’s estimate are considered probable of vesting (including as a result of any applicable performance conditions). Equity-based incentive compensation is recognized in “compensation and benefits” expense.

Cost Saving Initiatives and Staff Reductions—Charges associated with management-approved cost saving plans or staff reductions can include severance costs, charges to vacate facilities and contract cancellation costs. Severance costs are generally accrued on the date that employees are notified of their benefits and other costs are generally accrued as the Company ceases to use facilities or cancels contracts. The Company records severance-related liabilities in “accrued compensation and benefits” and other types of liabilities in “other liabilities” in the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Income Taxes—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. Lazard Group, through its subsidiaries, is subject to state and local taxes on its income apportioned to various state and local jurisdictions. Outside the U.S., Lazard Group operates principally through subsidiary corporations that are subject to local income taxes in foreign jurisdictions. Lazard Group is also subject to Unincorporated Business Tax (“UBT”) attributable to its operations apportioned to New York City.

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when such differences are expected to reverse. Such temporary differences are reflected as deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial condition. A deferred tax asset is recognized if it is more likely than not (defined as a likelihood of greater than 50%) that a tax benefit will be accepted by a taxing authority.

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized and, when necessary, a valuation allowance is established. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the following possible sources of taxable income when assessing the realization of deferred tax assets:

•

future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences;

•

future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards;

•

taxable income in prior carryback years; and

•

tax-planning strategies.

The assessment regarding whether a valuation allowance is required or should be adjusted also considers all available information, including the following:

•

nature, frequency, magnitude and duration of any past losses and current operating results;

•

duration of statutory carryforward periods;

•

historical experience with tax attributes expiring unused; and

•

near-term and medium-term financial outlook.

The Company records tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return based upon the Company’s estimates regarding the amount that is more likely than not to be realized or paid, including in connection with the resolution of any related appeals or other legal processes. Accordingly, the Company recognizes liabilities for certain unrecognized tax benefits based on the amounts that are more likely than not to be settled with the relevant taxing authority.

The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in “provision for income taxes”. See Note 16 for additional information relating to income taxes.

Recent Accounting Developments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

New Accounting Pronouncements And Changes In Accounting Principles [Abstract]

Recent Accounting Developments

3.	RECENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS

Fair Value Measurement—In May 2015, the FASB issued updated guidance for the classification and disclosure of certain investments using the net asset value (“NAV”) as a practical expedient to measure the fair value of the investment. The guidance removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using NAV as a practical expedient. The new guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. The new guidance is to be applied on a retrospective basis. The Company elected to early adopt this guidance in the quarter ended September 30, 2015 and has removed investments that are measured at NAV as a practical expedient from the fair value hierarchy in all periods presented in the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Interest—Imputation of Interest—In April 2015, the FASB issued updated guidance which requires a company to classify debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The new guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and is to be applied on a retrospective basis. The adoption of this guidance by the Company in the first quarter of 2016 resulted in a reclassification as of December 31, 2015 of $8,992 from “other assets” to “senior debt” on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis—In February 2015, the FASB issued updated guidance for the consolidation of certain legal entities. The updated guidance eliminates the deferral of certain consolidation standards for entities considered to be investment companies and modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are VIEs or VOEs. The new guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company adopted this guidance using the modified retrospective method with an effective date of January 1, 2016. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or related disclosures. In October 2016, the FASB issued updated consolidation guidance specific to interests held through related parties that are under common control. The new guidance requires an entity to consider those interests on a proportionate basis. The Company adopted this

guidance retrospectively with an effective date of January 1, 2016, as it is required to coincide with the adoption of

the February 2015 guidance. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated

financial statements or related disclosures.

Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software: Customers Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement—In April 2015, the FASB issued updated guidance providing clarification on whether a cloud computing arrangement that contains a software license should be accounted for as internal-use software. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The adoption of this guidance by the Company in the first quarter of 2016 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Compensation—Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting—In March 2016, the FASB issued new guidance regarding equity-based incentive compensation. The new guidance includes several amendments which affect various aspects of the accounting for equity-based incentive compensation transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company expects that the prospective impact of this new guidance will result in an increase or a decrease to the provision for income taxes for the delivery of stock under share-based payment arrangements, which will likely cause volatility in the effective tax rate and could be material to the consolidated statements of operations and the classification of cash flows in future periods. Additionally, upon adoption of the new guidance, the Company expects that deferred tax assets of $17,035 will be recorded for previously unrecognized excess tax benefits outstanding in the period ended December 31, 2016, with an offsetting adjustment to retained earnings.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers—In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued comprehensive new revenue recognition guidance. The guidance requires a company to recognize revenue when it transfers promised services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those services and requires enhanced disclosures. The guidance also changes the accounting for certain contract costs, including whether they may be offset against revenue in the consolidated statements of operations. On July 9, 2015, the FASB approved the deferral of the effective date of the new revenue guidance by one year to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption being permitted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The guidance may be adopted using a full retrospective approach or a modified cumulative effect approach. During 2016, the FASB issued additional clarifications for certain aspects of the new revenue recognition guidance. The Company currently expects to adopt the revenue recognition guidance in the first quarter of 2018. The Company’s implementation efforts include the identification of revenue within the scope of the guidance and the evaluation of revenue contracts. The Company also continues to evaluate both the timing of revenue recognition and the presentation of certain contract costs.

Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments—In August and November 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance which clarifies how a company should classify certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flows and clarifies that restricted cash should be included in the total of cash and cash equivalents on the statement of cash flows. The new guidance for both updates is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. The new guidance is to be applied on a retrospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance.

Clarifying the Definition of a Business—In January 2017, the FASB issued updated guidance to clarify the definition of a business within the context of business combinations. The updated guidance requires that when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. This updated guidance is expected to reduce the number of transactions that need to be further evaluated as business combinations. If further evaluation is necessary, the updated guidance will require that a business set include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create output. The updated guidance will remove the evaluation of whether a market participant could replace missing elements. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and is to be applied on a prospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance.

Leases—In February 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance for leases. The guidance requires a lessee to (i) recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, in the statement of financial condition, (ii) recognize a single lease cost, calculated so that the cost of the lease is allocated over the lease term on a generally straight-line basis, and (iii) classify all cash payments within operating activities in the statement of cash flows. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The new guidance is to be applied on a modified retrospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance.

Financial Instruments—Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments—In June 2016, the FASB issued new guidance regarding the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments. The new guidance replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in the current guidance with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to determine credit loss estimates. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance.

Intangibles—Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment— In January 2017, the FASB issued updated guidance which eliminated Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 is the process of measuring a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The new guidance requires entities to measure a goodwill impairment loss as the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, limited to the carrying amount of goodwill. The FASB also eliminated the requirements for entities that have reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts to perform a qualitative assessment for the goodwill impairment test. Instead, those entities would be required to disclose the amount of goodwill allocated to each reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount. The new guidance is effective for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance.

- Definition

The entire disclosure of changes in accounting principles, including adoption of new accounting pronouncements, that describes the new methods, amount and effects on financial statement line items.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Change in Accounting Principle
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507316

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Direct Effects of a Change in Accounting Principle
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66092750

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64853466&loc=d3e22583-107794

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Indirect Effects of a Change in Accounting Principle
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6515603

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64853466&loc=d3e22580-107794

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 270
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.10-01.(b)(6))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27015980&loc=d3e46468-122699

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Accounting Change
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6503790

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64853466&loc=d3e22499-107794

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Retrospective Application
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6523989

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 270
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68064558&loc=d3e765-108305

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 270
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68064558&loc=d3e725-108305

+ Details

Receivables

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Receivables [Abstract]

Receivables

4.	RECEIVABLES

The Company’s receivables represent fee receivables, amounts due from customers and other receivables, and amounts due from Lazard Ltd subsidiaries.

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 years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Beginning Balance	$	12,882		$	23,540		$	28,777
Bad debt expense, net of recoveries		10,055			3,125			12,246
Charge-offs, foreign currency translation and other adjustments		(6,551	)		(13,783	)		(17,483	)
Ending Balance	$	16,386		$	12,882		$	23,540

Bad debt expense, net of recoveries is included in “investment banking and other advisory fees” on the consolidated statements of operations.

At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had receivables past due or deemed uncollectible of $22,212 and $19,923, respectively.

Of the Company’s fee receivables at December 31, 2016 and 2015, $76,133 and $81,774, respectively, represented interest-bearing financing receivables. In addition, at December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had interest-bearing receivables from Lazard Ltd subsidiaries of $20,365 and $106,567, respectively. 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 $570,486 and $417,689 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, approximates fair value.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for claims held for amounts due a entity, excluding financing receivables. Examples include, but are not limited to, trade accounts receivables, notes receivables, loans receivables. Includes disclosure for allowance for credit losses.

+ References + Details

Investments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Investments Schedule [Abstract]

Investments

5.	INVESTMENTS

The Company’s investments and securities sold, not yet purchased, consist of the following at December 31, 2016 and 2015:

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Interest-bearing deposits	$	456	$	54,885
Debt		-		535
Equities		41,017		44,834
Funds:
Alternative investments (a)		32,441		67,600
Debt (a)		74,597		55,935
Equity (a)		188,268		197,787
Private equity		122,421		100,219
		417,727		421,541
Equity method		222		8,917
Total investments		459,422		530,712
Less:
Interest-bearing deposits		456		54,885
Equity method		222		8,917
Investments, at fair value	$	458,744	$	466,910
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value (included in “other liabilities”)	$	4,482	$	3,239

(a)

Interests in alternative investment funds, debt funds and equity funds include investments with fair values of $13,080, $37,869 and $128,219, respectively, at December 31, 2016 and $10,996, $31,598 and $156,081, respectively, at December 31, 2015, held in order to satisfy the Company’s liability upon vesting of previously granted LFI and other similar deferred compensation arrangements. LFI represent grants by the Company to eligible employees of actual or notional interests in a number of Lazard-managed funds, subject to service-based vesting conditions (see Notes 7 and 14).

Interest-bearing deposits have original maturities of greater than three months but equal to or less than one year and are carried at cost that approximates fair value due to their short-term maturities.

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, funds of funds and mutual funds.

Debt funds primarily consist of seed investments in funds related to our Asset Management business that invest in debt securities, amounts related to LFI discussed above and an investment in a Lazard-managed debt fund.

Equity funds primarily consist of seed investments in funds related to our Asset Management business that invest in equity securities, and amounts related to LFI 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) Edgewater Growth Capital Partners III, L.P. (“EGCP III”), a fund primarily making equity and buyout investments in middle market companies, (ii) until the fourth quarter of 2015, Lazard Australia Corporate Opportunities Fund 2 (“COF2”), an Australian fund targeting Australian mid-market investments, (iii) a mezzanine fund, which invests in mezzanine debt of a diversified selection of small- to mid-cap European companies, and (iv) a fund targeting significant noncontrolling-stake investments in established private companies. The Company disposed of its private equity business in Australia in the second quarter of 2015 in a transaction with the management of the disposed business. Revenue of $24,388 relating to the disposal of the business primarily represents the realization of carried interest at fair value and is included in “revenue-other” on the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2015.

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”).

During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company reported in “revenue-other” on its consolidated statements of operations net unrealized investment gains and losses pertaining to “trading” securities still held as of the reporting date as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015			2014
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)	$	11,816	$	(19,784	)	$	(8,946	)

Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

6.	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair Value Hierarchy of Investments and Certain Other Assets and Liabilities—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, or (ii) 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.

The Company’s investments in debt securities and securities sold, not yet purchased are classified as Level 1 when their respective fair values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets.

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, debt funds and equity funds is classified as Level 1 when the fair values are primarily based on the publicly reported closing price for the fund.

The fair value of the contingent consideration liability is classified as Level 3 and the estimated fair value of the liability is remeasured at each reporting period. The inputs used to derive the fair value of the contingent consideration include the application of probabilities when assessing certain performance thresholds for the relevant periods. Any change in the fair value is recognized in “amortization and other acquisition-related costs” in the consolidated statement of operations. Our business acquisitions may involve the potential payment of contingent consideration upon the achievement of certain performance thresholds. The contingent consideration liability is initially recorded at the estimated fair value of the contingent payments on the acquisition date and is included in “other liabilities” on the consolidated statements of financial condition. See Note 12.

The fair value 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 value 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 LFI and other similar deferred compensation arrangements is based on the value of the underlying investments, adjusted for forfeitures. See Note 7.

Investments Measured at Net Asset Value—As a practical expedient, the Company uses NAV or its equivalent to measure the fair value of certain investments. NAV is primarily determined based on information provided by external fund administrators. The Company’s investments valued at NAV as a practical expedient in (i) alternative investment funds, debt funds and equity funds are redeemable in the near term, and (ii) private equity funds are not redeemable in the near term as a result of redemption restrictions.

The following tables present, as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the classification of (i) investments and certain other assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis within the fair value hierarchy and (ii) investments measured at NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient:

	December 31, 2016
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		NAV (a)		Total
Assets:
Investments:
Debt	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-
Equities		39,509		-		1,508		-		41,017
Funds:
Alternative investments		25,316		-		-		7,125		32,441
Debt		74,591		-		-		6		74,597
Equity		188,229		-		-		39		188,268
Private equity		-		-		-		122,421		122,421
Derivatives		-		1,993		-				1,993
Total	$	327,645	$	1,993	$	1,508	$	129,591	$	460,737
Liabilities:
Securities sold, not yet purchased	$	4,482	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	4,482
Contingent consideration liability		-		-		3,364		-		3,364
Derivatives		-		182,223		-		-		182,223
Total	$	4,482	$	182,223	$	3,364	$	-	$	190,069

	December 31, 2015
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		NAV (a)		Total
Assets:
Investments:
Debt	$	535	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	535
Equities		43,558		-		1,276		-		44,834
Funds:
Alternative investments		45,135		-		-		22,465		67,600
Debt		55,929		-		-		6		55,935
Equity		197,745		-		-		42		197,787
Private equity		-		-		-		100,219		100,219
Derivatives		-		1,048		-		-		1,048
Total	$	342,902	$	1,048	$	1,276	$	122,732	$	467,958
Liabilities:
Securities sold, not yet purchased	$	3,239	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	3,239
Derivatives		-		195,689		-		-		195,689
Total	$	3,239	$	195,689	$	-	$	-	$	198,928

(a)	Represents certain investments measured at NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient in determining fair value. In accordance with current accounting guidance, these investments have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. See Note 3 for additional information.

The following tables provide a summary of changes in fair value of the Company’s Level 3 assets and liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:

	Year Ended December 31, 2016
	Beginning Balance		Net Unrealized/ Realized Gains/Losses Included In Earnings (a)		Purchases/ Acquisitions		Sales/ Dispositions			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Ending Balance
Assets:
Investments:
Equities	$	1,276	$	248			$	-		$	(16	)	$	1,508
Total Level 3 Assets	$	1,276	$	248	$	-	$	-		$	(16	)	$	1,508

Liabilities:
Contingent consideration liability	$	-	$	30,481	$	2,950	$	(30,067	)	$	-		$	3,364
Total Level 3 Liabilities	$	-	$	30,481	$	2,950	$	(30,067	)	$	-		$	3,364

	Year Ended December 31, 2015 (b)
			Net Unrealized/
			Realized						Foreign
			Gains /Losses						Currency
	Beginning		Included In		Purchases/		Sales/		Translation			Ending
	Balance		Earnings (a)		Acquisitions		Dispositions		Adjustments			Balance
Assets:
Investments:
Equities	$	1,315	$	14	$	-	$	-	$	(53	)	$	1,276
Total Level 3 Assets	$	1,315	$	14	$	-	$	-	$	(53	)	$	1,276

	Year Ended December 31, 2014 (b)
	Beginning Balance		Net Unrealized/ Realized Gains/Losses Included In Earnings (a)		Purchases/ Acquisitions		Sales/ Dispositions			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Ending Balance
Assets:
Investments:
Equities	$	1,340	$	19	$	-	$	(1	)	$	(43	)	$	1,315
Total Level 3 Assets	$	1,340	$	19	$	-	$	(1	)	$	(43	)	$	1,315

(a)

Earnings recorded in “other revenue” for investments in equities for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 include net unrealized gains of $243, $14 and $19, respectively. Earnings recorded in “amortization and other acquisition-related costs” for the contingent consideration liability for the year ended December 31, 2016 include unrealized losses of $414 and realized losses of $30,067 due to the change in the fair value of contingent consideration associated with the Edgewater business acquisition.

(b)	The tables for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 reflect the retrospective application of new disclosure guidance adopted by the Company for investments using NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient when measuring fair value. See Note 3.

There were no transfers between any of the Level 1, 2 and 3 categories in the fair value measurement hierarchy during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.

Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value—The tables below present the carrying value, fair value and fair value hierarchy category of certain financial instruments as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 that are not measured at fair value in the Company’s consolidated statement of financial condition, and excludes certain financial instruments such as equity method investments.

	December 31, 2016
					Fair Value Measurements Using:
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,131,440	$	1,131,440	$	1,131,440	$	-	$	-
Deposits with banks and short-term investments		419,668		419,668		419,668		-		-
Cash deposited with clearing organizations and other segregated cash		29,030		29,030		29,030		-		-
Interest-bearing financing receivables		76,133		78,072		-		-		78,072
Interest-bearing deposits (included within investments)		456		456		456		-		-
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits and other customer payables	$	472,283	$	472,283	$	472,283	$	-	$	-
Senior debt		1,188,600		1,204,171		-		1,204,171		-

	December 31, 2015
					Fair Value Measurements Using:
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,025,844	$	1,025,844	$	1,025,844	$	-	$	-
Deposits with banks and short-term investments		389,861		389,861		389,861		-		-
Cash deposited with clearing organizations and other segregated cash		34,948		34,948		34,948		-		-
Interest-bearing financing receivables		81,774		82,573		-		-		82,573
Interest-bearing deposits (included within investments)		54,885		54,885		54,885		-		-
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits and other customer payables	$	506,665	$	506,665	$	506,665	$	-	$	-
Senior debt		989,358		993,999		-		993,999		-

Cash and cash equivalents are carried at either cost or amortized cost that approximates fair value due to their short-term maturities.

The carrying value of deposits with banks and short-term investments, and cash deposited with clearing organizations and other segregated cash, approximates fair value because of the relatively short period of time between their origination and expected maturity.

Fair values of interest-bearing financing receivables were generally determined by discounting both principal and interest cash flows expected to be collected, using a discount rate approximating current market interest rates for comparable financial instruments and based on unobservable inputs.

The carrying value of deposits and other customer payables and investments accounted for at amortized cost, such as interest-bearing deposits, approximate fair value due to their short-term nature.

The Company’s senior debt is carried at historical amounts. The fair value of the Company’s senior debt is based on market quotations.

The following tables present, at December 31, 2016 and 2015, certain investments that are valued using NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient in determining fair value:

December 31, 2016

Estimated Liquidation Period of

Investments Not Redeemable

Investments

Redeemable

Fair Value

Unfunded

Commitments

% of

Fair Value

Not

Redeemable

5 Years

5-10

Years

Thereafter

Redemption

Frequency

Redemption

Notice Period

Alternative investment funds:

Hedge funds

6,190

(a)

<30-60 days

Funds of funds

492

(b)

<30-90 days

Other

443

(c)

<30-60 days

Debt funds

(d)

30 days

Equity funds

(e)

<30-90 days

Private equity funds:

Equity growth

90,824

9,183

(f)

100

Mezzanine debt

31,597

100

Total

129,591

9,183

(a)	weekly (73%), monthly (2%) and quarterly (25%)

(b)	monthly (98%) and quarterly (2%)

(c)	daily (7%) and monthly (93%)

(d)	daily (100%)

(e)	daily (19%), monthly (50%) and quarterly (31%)

(f)	Unfunded commitments to private equity investments consolidated but not owned by Lazard of $6,886 are excluded. Such commitments are required to be funded by capital contributions from noncontrolling interest holders.

December 31, 2015

Estimated Liquidation Period of

Investments Not Redeemable

Investments

Redeemable

Fair Value

Unfunded

Commitments

% of

Fair Value

Not

Redeemable

5 Years

5-10

Years

Thereafter

Redemption

Frequency

Redemption

Notice Period

Alternative investment funds:

Hedge funds

20,410

(a)

<30-60 days

Funds of funds

465

(b)

<30-90 days

Other

1,590

(c)

<30-60 days

Debt funds

(d)

30 days

Equity funds

(e)

<30-90 days

Private equity funds:

Equity growth

67,895

10,242

(f)

100

Mezzanine debt

32,324

100

Total

122,732

10,242

(a)	weekly (23%), monthly (69%) and quarterly (8%)

(b)	monthly (98%) and quarterly (2%)

(c)	daily (20%) and monthly (80%)

(d)	daily (100%)

(e)	daily (18%), monthly (54%) and quarterly (28%)

(f)	Unfunded commitments to private equity investments consolidated but not owned by Lazard of $5,501 are excluded. Such commitments are required to be funded by capital contributions from noncontrolling interest holders.

Investment Capital Funding Commitments—At December 31, 2016, the Company’s maximum unfunded commitments for capital contributions to investment funds primarily arose from commitments to EGCP III, which amounted to $8,613. The investment period for EGCP III ended on October 12, 2016, after which point the Company’s obligation to fund capital contributions for new investments in EGCP III expired. The Company remains obligated until October 12, 2023 (or any earlier liquidation of EGCP III) to make capital contributions necessary to fund follow-on investments and to pay for fund expenses.

Derivatives

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivatives

7.	DERIVATIVES

The table below presents 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 LFI and other similar deferred compensation arrangements reported within “accrued compensation and benefits” (see Note 14) on the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition as of December 31, 2016 and 2015:

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Derivative Assets:
Forward foreign currency exchange rate contracts	$	1,993	$	1,015
Total return swaps and other (a)		-		33
	$	1,993	$	1,048
Derivative Liabilities:
Forward foreign currency exchange rate contracts	$	2,792	$	1,584
Total return swaps and other (a)		9,043		531
LFI and other similar deferred compensation arrangements		170,388		193,574
	$	182,223	$	195,689

(a)

For total return swaps, amounts represent the netting of gross derivative assets and liabilities of $357 and $9,400 as of December 31, 2016, respectively, and $460 and $958 as of December 31, 2015, 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 $16,996 and $9,636 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, 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 LFI and other similar deferred compensation arrangements (included in “compensation and benefits” expense) as reflected on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, were as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015		2014
Forward foreign currency exchange rate contracts	$	(2,253	)	$	15,773	$	22,959
LFI and other similar deferred compensation arrangements		(3,318	)		3,827		(7,326	)
Total return swaps and other		(3,022	)		4,099		(4,596	)
Total	$	(8,593	)	$	23,699	$	11,037

- Definition

The entire disclosure for derivative instruments and hedging activities including, but not limited to, risk management strategies, non-hedging derivative instruments, assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and methodologies and assumptions used in determining the amounts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6441202&loc=d3e80720-113993

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4C
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-SubTopic 10
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-SubTopic 10
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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
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Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1A
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Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=SL5708773-113959

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=SL5618551-113959

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 17: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 18: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 19: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(n))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Property

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]

Property

PROPERTY

At December 31, 2016 and 2015, property consists of the following:

	Estimated
	Depreciable		December 31,
	Life in Years		2016		2015
Buildings		33	$	132,821	$	137,181
Leasehold improvements	3-20			175,810		167,838
Furniture and equipment	3-10			172,325		160,552
Construction in progress				14,038		7,099
Total				494,994		472,670
Less - Accumulated depreciation and amortization				285,997		265,505
Property			$	208,997	$	207,165

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

9.	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The components of goodwill and other intangible assets at December 31, 2016 and 2015 are presented below:

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Goodwill	$	352,124	$	320,761
Other intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization)		6,858		6,215
	$	358,982	$	326,976

At December 31, 2016 and 2015, goodwill of $287,583 and $256,220, 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 years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Balance, January 1	$	320,761		$	335,402		$	345,453
Business acquisitions (see Note 12)		33,078			-			3,232
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(1,715	)		(14,641	)		(13,283	)
Balance, December 31	$	352,124		$	320,761		$	335,402

All changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 are attributable to the Company’s Financial Advisory segment.

The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently if circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. Pursuant to the Company’s goodwill impairment review for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company determined that no impairment existed.

The gross cost and accumulated amortization of other intangible assets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, by major intangible asset category, are as follows:

	December 31, 2016						December 31, 2015
	Gross Cost		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount		Gross Cost		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
Success/performance fees	$	33,040	$	26,543	$	6,497	$	30,740	$	25,192	$	5,548
Management fees, customer relationships and non-compete agreements		33,436		33,075		361		33,036		32,369		667
	$	66,476	$	59,618	$	6,858	$	63,776	$	57,561	$	6,215

Amortization expense of intangible assets, included in “amortization and other acquisition-related costs” in the consolidated statements of operations, for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $2,057, $5,821 and $6,387, respectively. Estimated future amortization expense is as follows:

Year Ending December 31,	Amortization Expense (a)
2017	$	6,079
2018		779
2019		-
2020		-
Total amortization expense	$	6,858

(a)	Approximately 31% of intangible asset amortization is attributable to a noncontrolling interest.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

+ References + Details

Other Assets and Other Liabilities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Text Block [Abstract]

Other Assets and Other Liabilities

10.	OTHER ASSETS AND OTHER LIABILITIES

The following table sets forth the Company’s other assets, by type, as of December 31, 2016 and 2015:

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Current tax receivables and other taxes	$	29,012	$	28,499
Prepaid compensation (see Note 14)		49,650		75,703
Other advances and prepayments		35,659		53,339
Other		67,373		57,282
Total	$	181,694	$	214,823

The following table sets forth the Company’s other liabilities, by type, as of December 31, 2016 and 2015:

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Accrued expenses	$	123,293	$	128,022
Current income taxes and other taxes		92,044		104,734
Employee benefit-related liabilities		84,703		81,687
Deferred lease incentives		84,287		83,566
Unclaimed funds at LFB		24,997		26,022
Abandoned leased space (principally in the U.K.)		4,973		8,760
Deferred revenue		35,717		30,178
Contingent consideration liability		3,364		-
Securities sold, not yet purchased		4,482		3,239
Other		44,429		28,489
Total	$	502,289	$	494,697

Senior Debt

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Senior Debt

11.	SENIOR DEBT

Senior debt is comprised of the following as of December 31, 2016 and 2015:

							Outstanding as of
	Initial			Annual			December 31, 2016						December 31, 2015
	Principal Amount		Maturity Date	Interest Rate(b)			Principal		Unamortized Debt Costs		Carrying Value		Principal		Unamortized Debt Costs		Carrying Value
Lazard Group 2017 Senior Notes (a)		600,000	6/15/17		6.85	%	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	98,350	$	159	$	98,191
Lazard Group 2020 Senior Notes		500,000	11/14/20		4.25	%		500,000		3,569		496,431		500,000		4,491		495,509
Lazard Group 2025 Senior Notes (a)		400,000	2/13/25		3.75	%		400,000		3,833		396,167		400,000		4,342		395,658
Lazard Group 2027 Senior Notes (a)		300,000	3/1/27		3.625	%		300,000		3,998		296,002		-		-		-
Total							$	1,200,000	$	11,400	$	1,188,600	$	998,350	$	8,992	$	989,358

(a)

During November 2016, Lazard Group completed an offering of $300,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.625% senior notes due 2027 (the “2027 Notes”). Interest on the 2027 Notes is payable semi-annually on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning March 1, 2017. Lazard Group used a portion of the net proceeds of the 2027 Notes to redeem or otherwise retire all $98,350 of the 6.85% senior notes due June 2017 (the “2017 Notes”), which, including the recognition of unamortized issuance costs, resulted in a loss on debt extinguishment of $3,148. Such loss on debt extinguishment was recorded in “operating expenses—other” on the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016.

During February 2015, Lazard Group completed an offering of $400,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.75% senior notes due 2025 (the “2025 Notes”). Interest on the 2025 Notes is payable semi-annually on March 1 and September 1 of each year. Lazard Group used the net proceeds of the 2025 Notes, together with cash on hand, to redeem or otherwise retire $450,000 of the 2017 Notes, which, including the recognition of unamortized issuance costs, resulted in a loss on debt extinguishment of $60,219. Such loss on debt extinguishment was recorded in “operating expenses—other” on the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2015.

(b)

The effective interest rates of Lazard Group’s 4.25% senior notes due November 14, 2020 (the “2020 Notes”), the 2025 Notes and the 2027 Notes are 4.43%, 3.87% and 3.76%, respectively.

The table, as of December 31, 2015, reflects the retrospective application of new guidance adopted by the Company for debt issuance costs. See Note 3.

On September 25, 2015, Lazard Group entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement for a five-year $150,000 senior revolving credit facility with a group of lenders (the “Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”), which expires in September 2020. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement amended and restated the previous credit agreement dated September 25, 2012. Borrowings under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement generally will bear interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin for specific interest periods determined based on Lazard Group’s highest credit rating from an internationally recognized credit agency. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, no amounts were outstanding under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement or the prior revolving credit facility, respectively.

The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, 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 December 31, 2016, the Company was in compliance with such provisions. All of the Company’s senior debt obligations are unsecured.

Debt maturities relating to senior borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2016 for each of the five years in the period ending December 31, 2021 and thereafter are set forth in the table below.

Year Ending December 31,
2017	$	-
2018		-
2019
2020		500,000
2021		-
Thereafter		700,000
Total	$	1,200,000

The Company’s senior debt at December 31, 2016 and 2015 is carried at historical amounts. See Note 6 for information regarding the fair value and fair value hierarchy category of the Company’s senior debt.

As of December 31, 2016, the Company had approximately $179,000 in unused lines of credit available to it, including the credit facility provided under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, and unused lines of credit available to LFB of approximately $21,000 (at December 31, 2016 exchange rates).

Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

12.	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Leases—The Company leases office space and equipment under non-cancelable lease agreements, which expire on various dates through 2033.

Operating lease agreements, in addition to base rentals, generally are subject to escalation provisions based on certain costs incurred by the landlord. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, aggregate rental expense relating to operating leases amounted to $76,640, $79,523 and $80,745, respectively, and is included in “occupancy and equipment” or “technology and information services” on the consolidated statements of operations, depending on the nature of the underlying asset. The Company also subleases office space under agreements which expire on various dates through 2022. Sublease income from such agreements was $7,858, $9,587 and $11,751 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, which includes sublease income of $1,281 and $3,097, respectively, from an affiliate of LMDC Holdings LLC (“LMDC Holdings”) for the years ended December 2015 and 2014.

Capital lease obligations recorded under sale/leaseback transactions are payable through 2017 at a weighted average interest rate of approximately 6.1%. Such obligations are collateralized primarily by certain buildings with a net book value of approximately $13,538 and $15,121 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The net book value of all assets recorded under capital leases aggregated $13,628 and $15,273 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

At December 31, 2016, minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable leases, net of sublease income, are approximately as follows:

	Minimum Rental Commitments
Year Ending December 31,	Capital		Operating
2017	$	7,282	$	75,959
2018		38		73,224
2019		32		65,368
2020		5		62,516
2021		-		61,479
Thereafter		-		489,575
Total minimum lease payments		7,357		828,121
Less amount representing interest		152
Present value of capital lease commitments	$	7,205
Less sublease proceeds				45,643
Net lease payments			$	782,478

With respect to abandoned leased facilities in the U.K., at December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company has recognized liabilities of $2,819 and $6,155, respectively, which are included in “other liabilities” on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Payments toward the liabilities continue through the remaining term of the leases. Such liabilities are based on the discounted future commitment, net of expected sublease income.

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 December 31, 2016, LFB had $3,340 of such indemnifications and held $3,259 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 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 were subject to earnout criteria and payable over time. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, 2,285,714 and 1,371,992 shares, respectively, have been earned and settled because applicable performance thresholds have been satisfied.

Other Business Acquisitions—For a business acquired in the fourth quarter of 2016, consideration consisted of (i) a one-time cash payment and 60,817 shares of Class A common stock subject to non-compete provisions and (ii) up to 210,431 additional shares of Class A common stock that are subject to certain performance thresholds. As of December 31, 2016, none of the contingent additional shares had been earned.

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. During the second quarter of 2015, the achievement of certain performance thresholds related to the acquired business were satisfied, resulting in the issuance of 27,316 shares of Class A common stock.

Other Commitments—The Company has various other contractual commitments arising in the ordinary course of business. In addition, from time to time, each of LFB and LFNY may enter into underwriting commitments in which it will participate as an underwriter. At December 31, 2016, LFB and LFNY had no such underwriting commitments.

See Notes 6 and 15 for information regarding commitments relating to investment capital funding commitments and obligations to fund our pension plans, respectively.

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.

Members' Equity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Equity [Abstract]

Members' Equity

13.	MEMBERS’ EQUITY

Lazard Group Distributions—As previously described, Lazard Group’s common membership interests are held by subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd and, until May 2014, also were held by LAZ-MD Holdings. Distributions in respect of Lazard Group’s common membership interests are allocated to the holders of such interests in accordance with the provisions of the Operating Agreement. Such distributions primarily 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 incur and, until May 2014, that the members of LAZ-MD Holdings incurred as a result of holding Lazard Group common membership interests.

During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, Lazard Group distributed $301,262, $129,787 and $320,507, respectively, to the subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd and, in 2014, $1,862 to LAZ-MD Holdings.

During the year ended December 31, 2015, Lazard Group received a capital contribution of $30,000 from a subsidiary of Lazard Ltd in a non-cash transaction through a reduction of an interest-bearing loan. See Note 17.

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.

Exchange of Lazard Group Common Membership Interests—During the year ended December 31, 2014, Lazard Ltd issued 710,009 shares of Class A common stock in connection with the exchanges of a like number of Lazard Group common membership interests (received from members of LAZ-MD Holdings in exchange for a like number of LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests). See Note 1 for a discussion of the Final Exchange of LAZ-MD Interests.

Share Repurchase Program—During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Board of Directors of Lazard authorized the repurchase of Class A common stock as set forth in the table below.

Date	Repurchase Authorization		Expiration
April 2014	$	200,000	December 31, 2015
February 2015	$	150,000	December 31, 2016
January 2016	$	200,000	December 31, 2017
April 2016	$	113,182	December 31, 2017
November 2016	$	236,000	December 31, 2018

The Company expects that the share repurchase program will primarily be used to offset a portion of the shares that have been or will be issued under 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. The rate at which the Company purchases shares in connection with the share repurchase program may vary from quarter to quarter due to a variety of factors. Purchases with respect to such program are set forth in the table below:

Years Ended December 31:	Number of Shares Purchased		Average Price Per Share
2014		4,114,206	$	46.83
2015		3,438,789	$	50.24
2016		8,551,271	$	35.11

There were 6,697,790 and 3,322,385 shares of Class A common stock held by Lazard Group at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Such shares of Class A common stock are reported, at cost, as a reduction of members’ equity within the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition.

During 2016, 2015 and 2014, certain of our executive officers received Lazard Ltd Class A common stock in connection with the vesting of previously-granted deferred equity incentive awards. The vesting of such equity awards gave rise to a tax payable by the executive officers, and, consistent with our past practice, the Company purchased shares of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock from the executive officers equal in value to the estimated amount of such tax. In addition, during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2014, the Company purchased shares of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock from an executive officer. The aggregate value of such purchases in 2016, 2015 and 2014 was approximately $4,900, $17,700 and $6,800, respectively.

During the year ended December 31, 2015, Lazard Group purchased 896,169 shares of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock from subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd for $45,081. There were no such purchases during the year ended December 31, 2016.

The shares purchased by Lazard Ltd in the year ended December 31, 2014 included 1,000,000 shares purchased from Natixis S.A. on June 26, 2014 for $50,340 in connection with the sale by Natixis S.A. of its entire investment in Lazard Ltd’s Class A common stock. The purchase transaction closed on July 1, 2014.

As of December 31, 2016, a total of $355,125 of share repurchase authorization remained available under Lazard Ltd’s share repurchase program, $119,125 of which will expire on December 31, 2017 and $236,000 of which will expire on December 31, 2018.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, Lazard Ltd had in place trading plans under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, pursuant to which it effected stock repurchases in the open market.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax—The tables below reflect the balances of each component of AOCI at December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 and activity during the years then ended:

	Currency Translation Adjustments			Employee Benefit Plans			Total AOCI			Amount Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests			Total Lazard Group AOCI
Balance, January 1, 2016	$	(52,687	)	$	(137,073	)	$	(189,760	)	$	(2	)	$	(189,758	)
Activity January 1 to December 31, 2016:
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications		(56,619	)		(26,924	)		(83,543	)		-			(83,543	)
Adjustments for items reclassified to earnings, net of tax		-			2,526			2,526			-			2,526
Net other comprehensive loss		(56,619	)		(24,398	)		(81,017	)		-			(81,017	)
Balance, December 31, 2016	$	(109,306	)	$	(161,471	)	$	(270,777	)	$	(2	)	$	(270,775	)

	Currency Translation Adjustments			Employee Benefit Plans			Total AOCI			Amount Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests			Total Lazard Group AOCI
Balance, January 1, 2015	$	(8,625	)	$	(154,665	)	$	(163,290	)	$	(2	)	$	(163,288	)
Activity January 1 to December 31, 2015:
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(44,062	)		11,283			(32,779	)		-			(32,779	)
Adjustments for items reclassified to earnings, net of tax		-			6,309			6,309			-			6,309
Net other comprehensive income (loss)		(44,062	)		17,592			(26,470	)		-			(26,470	)
Balance, December 31, 2015	$	(52,687	)	$	(137,073	)	$	(189,760	)	$	(2	)	$	(189,758	)

	Currency Translation Adjustments			Employee Benefit Plans			Total AOCI			Amount Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests			Total Lazard Group AOCI
Balance, January 1, 2014	$	35,236		$	(137,431	)	$	(102,195	)	$	1		$	(102,196	)
Activity January 1 to December 31, 2014:
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications		(43,861	)		(21,983	)		(65,844	)		(3	)		(65,841	)
Adjustments for items reclassified to earnings, net of tax		-			4,749			4,749			-			4,749
Net other comprehensive income loss		(43,861	)		(17,234	)		(61,095	)		(3	)		(61,092	)
Balance, December 31, 2014	$	(8,625	)	$	(154,665	)	$	(163,290	)	$	(2	)	$	(163,288	)

The table below reflects adjustments for items reclassified out of AOCI, by component, for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Amortization relating to employee benefit plans (a)	$	4,283	$	7,816	$	6,672
Less - related income taxes		1,757		1,507		1,923
Total reclassifications, net of tax	$	2,526	$	6,309	$	4,749

(a)	Included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (see Note 15). Such amounts are included in “compensation and benefits” expense on the consolidated statements of operations.

Noncontrolling Interests—Noncontrolling interests principally represent interests held in Edgewater’s management vehicles that the Company is deemed to control, but does not own.

The tables below summarize net income attributable to noncontrolling interests for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 and noncontrolling interests as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 in the Company’s consolidated financial statements:

	Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Edgewater	$	5,992	$	6,557	$	6,153
Other		1		2		3
Total	$	5,993	$	6,559	$	6,156

	Noncontrolling Interests as of December 31,
	2016		2015
Edgewater	$	57,238	$	53,132
Other		8		9
Total	$	57,246	$	53,141

Incentive Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]

Incentive Plans

14.	INCENTIVE PLANS

Share-Based Incentive Plan Awards

A description of Lazard Ltd’s 2008 Plan and 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”) and activity with respect thereto during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, is presented below.

Shares Available Under the 2008 Plan and 2005 Plan

The 2008 Plan authorizes the issuance of shares of Class A common stock pursuant to the grant or exercise of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (“RSUs ”), performance-based restricted stock units (“PRSUs”) and other equity-based awards. Under the 2008 Plan, the maximum number of shares available 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.

The 2005 Plan authorized 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, RSUs and other equity-based awards. Each RSU 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. The 2005 Plan expired in the second quarter of 2015, although unvested awards granted under the 2005 Plan remain outstanding and continue to be subject to its terms.

The following reflects the amortization expense recorded with respect to share-based incentive plans within “compensation and benefits” expense (with respect to RSUs, PRSUs and restricted stock awards) and “professional services” expense (with respect to deferred stock units (“DSUs”)) within the Company’s accompanying consolidated statements of operations:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Share-based incentive awards:
RSUs	$	171,188	$	166,395	$	169,916
PRSUs		43,018		36,529		18,428
Restricted Stock		45,536		22,342		16,110
DSUs		860		729		871
Total	$	260,602	$	225,995	$	205,325

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, including as a result of any applicable performance conditions. A change in estimated forfeiture rates or performance 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.

The Company’s share-based incentive plans and awards 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 performance 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 years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, dividend participation rights required the issuance of 1,085,354, 693,714 and 375,954 RSUs, respectively.

Non-executive members of the Board of Directors of Lazard Group, who are the same Non-Executive Directors of Lazard Ltd (“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, which resulted in 38,771, 23,961 and 26,360 DSUs granted in connection with annual compensation during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. 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 of Directors. DSUs include a cash dividend participation right equivalent to dividends paid on Class A common stock.

The Company’s Directors’ Fee Deferral Unit Plan permits the Non-Executive Directors to elect to receive additional DSUs in lieu of some or all of their cash fees. The number of DSUs 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 years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, 10,043, 2,482 and 8,433 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-year period ended December 31, 2016:

	RSUs					DSUs
	Units			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		Units			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Balance, January 1, 2014		16,630,009		$	34.51		251,434		$	32.02
Granted (including 375,954 RSUs relating to dividend participation)		3,825,737		$	42.59		34,793		$	50.04
Forfeited		(344,345	)	$	34.52		-			-
Vested		(6,582,285	)	$	37.80		-			-
Balance, December 31, 2014		13,529,116		$	35.19		286,227		$	34.21
Granted (including 693,714 RSUs relating to dividend participation)		4,296,386		$	48.57		26,443		$	55.11
Forfeited		(469,776	)	$	43.54		-			-
Vested		(7,756,068	)	$	31.12		-			-
Balance, December 31, 2015		9,599,658		$	44.06		312,670		$	35.98
Granted (including 1,085,354 RSUs relating to dividend participation)		6,878,306		$	34.86		48,814		$	35.23
Forfeited		(239,432	)	$	39.53		-			-
Vested		(4,540,394	)	$	39.16		(84,759	)	$	35.30
Balance, December 31, 2016		11,698,138		$	40.65		276,725		$	36.05

In connection with RSUs that vested during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company satisfied its minimum statutory tax withholding requirements in lieu of delivering 1,421,396, 2,249,935 and 1,896,930 shares of Class A common stock during such respective years. Accordingly, 3,118,998, 5,506,133 and 4,685,355 shares of Class A common stock held by the Company were delivered during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

As of December 31, 2016, estimated unrecognized RSU compensation expense was approximately $141,947, with such expense expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 0.8 years subsequent to December 31, 2016.

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-year period ended December 31, 2016:

	Restricted Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Balance, January 1, 2014		575,054		$	32.72
Granted		449,911		$	45.52
Forfeited		(13,336	)	$	41.65
Vested		(281,802	)	$	37.42
Balance, December 31, 2014		729,827		$	38.63
Granted		576,886		$	50.88
Forfeited		(45,851	)	$	50.17
Vested		(547,124	)	$	39.50
Balance, December 31, 2015		713,738		$	47.12
Granted		1,795,258		$	36.76
Forfeited		(34,051	)	$	40.48
Vested		(819,872	)	$	37.16
Balance, December 31, 2016		1,655,073		$	40.95

In connection with shares of restricted Class A common stock that vested during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company satisfied its minimum statutory tax withholding requirements in lieu of delivering 141,026, 108,833 and 43,905 shares of Class A common stock during such respective years. Accordingly, 678,846, 438,291 and 237,897 shares of Class A common stock held by the Company were delivered during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The restricted stock awards include a cash dividend participation right equivalent to any dividends paid on Class A common stock during the period, which will vest concurrently with the underlying restricted stock award. At December 31, 2016, estimated unrecognized restricted stock expense was approximately $32,154, with such expense to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 0.9 years subsequent to December 31, 2016.

PRSUs

PRSUs are RSUs that 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 Lazard Ltd’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 generally can range from zero to two times the target number (with the exception of the PRSUs granted in 2013, for which (i) the performance period ended on December 31, 2014 and (ii) the number of shares of Class A common stock that vested was equal to approximately 2.2 times the target number). PRSUs will vest on a single date three years following the date of the grant provided the applicable service and performance conditions are satisfied. However, PRSUs granted in 2013 vested 33% in March 2015 and 67% in March 2016. 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 Lazard Ltd 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 (or, following the relevant performance period, the actual number of shares of Class A common stock that are no longer subject to performance conditions) 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-year period ended December 31, 2016:

	PRSUs			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Balance, January 1, 2014		448,128		$	36.11
Granted (a)		360,783		$	44.46
Performance units earned (b)		538,237		$	34.72
Balance, December 31, 2014		1,347,148		$	37.79
Granted (a)		368,389		$	52.85
Vested		(696,499	)	$	35.96
Balance, December 31, 2015		1,019,038		$	44.49
Granted (a)		627,956		$	32.91
Performance units earned (b)		360,783		$	41.20
Vested		(417,021	)	$	38.43
Balance, December 31, 2016		1,590,756		$	40.76

(a)	Represents PRSU awards granted during the relevant year at the target payout level.

(b)	Represents shares of Class A common stock earned during the fiscal year under the performance criteria of previously-granted PRSU awards in excess of the target payout level of such awards.

In connection with certain PRSUs that vested during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company satisfied its minimum statutory tax withholding requirements in lieu of issuing 64,169 and 32,086 shares of Class A common stock during such respective years. Accordingly, 352,852 and 664,413 shares of Class A common stock held by the Company were delivered during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

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 December 31, 2016, the total estimated unrecognized compensation expense was approximately $12,588, and the Company expects to amortize such expense over a weighted-average period of approximately 0.7 years subsequent to December 31, 2016.

LFI and Other Similar Deferred Compensation Arrangements

Commencing in February 2011, the Company granted LFI to eligible employees. In connection with LFI 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. LFI 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 LFI and other similar deferred compensation arrangements during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:

	Prepaid Compensation Asset			Compensation Liability
Balance, January 1, 2016	$	75,703		$	193,574
Granted		52,121			52,121
Settled		-			(77,457	)
Forfeited		(2,942	)		(5,380	)
Amortization		(73,340	)		-
Change in fair value related to:
Increase in fair value of underlying investments		-			3,318
Adjustment for estimated forfeitures		-			4,671
Other		(1,892	)		(459	)
Balance, December 31, 2016	$	49,650		$	170,388

	Prepaid Compensation Asset			Compensation Liability
Balance, January 1, 2015	$	73,278		$	207,306
Granted		89,817			89,817
Settled		-			(96,223	)
Forfeited		(4,099	)		(8,052	)
Amortization		(82,736	)		-
Change in fair value related to:
Decrease in fair value of underlying investments		-			(3,827	)
Adjustment for estimated forfeitures		-			6,780
Other		(557	)		(2,227	)
Balance, December 31, 2015	$	75,703		$	193,574

The amortization of the prepaid compensation asset will generally be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 0.8 years subsequent to December 31, 2016.

The following is a summary of the impact of LFI and other similar deferred compensation arrangements on “compensation and benefits” expense within the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:

	Year Ended Ended December 31,
	2016		2015			2014
Amortization, net of forfeitures	$	75,573	$	85,563		$	82,359
Change in the fair value of underlying investments		3,318		(3,827	)		7,326
Total	$	78,891	$	81,736		$	89,685

Incentive Awards Granted In February 2017

In February 2017, the Company granted approximately $342,000 of deferred incentive compensation awards (including PRSUs valued at the target payout level) to eligible employees. These grants included: RSUs or shares of restricted Class A common stock; deferred incentive compensation awards that allow eligible employees the choice of receiving a portion of their award in a combination of (i) LFI and (ii) additional RSUs or shares of restricted Class A common stock; deferred cash awards; and a portion of fund managers’ year-end incentive compensation that is reinvested in certain asset management funds.

The RSUs, restricted Class A common stock and LFI granted each provide for one-third vesting on or around March 1, 2019 and the remaining two-thirds vesting on or around March 2, 2020. The PRSUs granted provide for vesting on or around March 2, 2020, provided that the applicable service and performance conditions are satisfied, and will convert into Class A common stock within a range equal to zero to two times the target number of shares of Class A common stock subject to the awards. Compensation expense with respect to such incentive awards will generally be recognized over the vesting period, with such compensation expense to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.7 years.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for compensation-related costs for equity-based compensation, which may include disclosure of policies, compensation plan details, allocation of equity compensation, incentive distributions, equity-based arrangements to obtain goods and services, deferred compensation arrangements, employee stock ownership plan details and employee stock purchase plan details.

+ References + Details

Employee Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Employee Benefit Plans

15.	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 to its employees. 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 consolidated statements of operations.

Medical Plan—The medical plan was previously amended such that effective January 1, 2005 the plan limited post-retirement medical coverage to then former and current employees of the Company that were hired prior to January 1, 2005 and attained the age of 55 on or prior to December 31, 2005, and their dependents. Effective December 31, 2016, the Company will cease offering the medical plan.

In October 2016, the Company paid participants in the medical plan $2,936 in the aggregate to settle in full the Company’s obligations under the medical plan. The settlement of such obligations resulted in the recognition of a gain of $1,788 that is recorded as a reduction to compensation and benefits expense in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016.

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 (the “Trustees”). Management also evaluates from time to time whether to make voluntary contributions to the plans.

The Company does not expect to make a contribution to the U.S. and U.K. pension plans during the year ending December 31, 2017. The Company expects to contribute approximately $10,000 to the other non-U.S. pension plans during the year ending December 31, 2017.

The following table summarizes the changes in the benefit obligations, the fair value of the assets, the funded status and amounts recognized in the consolidated statements of financial condition for the post-retirement plans. The Company uses December 31 as the measurement date for its post-retirement plans.

	Pension Plans						Medical Plan
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	694,187		$	764,169		$	4,750		$	5,514
Service cost		1,235			1,530			11			27
Interest cost		19,871			24,600			167			179
Actuarial (gain) loss		135,164			(22,395	)		(1,639	)		(694	)
Benefits paid		(31,904	)		(33,253	)		(3,289	)		(276	)
Foreign currency translation and other adjustments		(99,732	)		(40,464	)
Benefit obligation at end of year		718,821			694,187			-			4,750
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		656,084			672,576
Actual return on plan assets		119,287			9,873
Employer contributions		11,343			39,301			3,289			276
Benefits paid		(29,384	)		(32,321	)		(3,289	)		(276	)
Foreign currency translation and other adjustments		(111,211	)		(33,345	)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year		646,119			656,084			-			-
Funded (deficit) at end of year	$	(72,702	)	$	(38,103	)	$	-		$	(4,750	)
Amounts recognized in the consolidated statements of financial condition at December 31, 2016 and 2015 consist of:
Prepaid pension asset (included in “other assets”)	$	822		$	20,785
Accrued benefit liability (included in “other liabilities”)		(73,524	)		(58,888	)	$	-		$	(4,750	)
Net amount recognized	$	(72,702	)	$	(38,103	)	$	-		$	(4,750	)
Amounts recognized in AOCI (excluding tax benefits of $31,414 and $30,416 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively) consist of:
Actuarial net loss (gain)	$	192,855		$	165,462		$	-		$	(335	)
Prior service cost		30			2,362			-			-
Net amount recognized	$	192,885		$	167,824		$	-		$	(335	)

The following table summarizes the fair value of plan assets, the accumulated benefit obligation and the projected benefit obligation at December 31, 2016 and 2015:

	U.S. Pension Plans				Non-U.S. Pension Plans				Total
	As Of December 31,				As Of December 31,				As Of December 31,
	2016		2015		2016		2015		2016		2015
Fair value of plan assets	$	22,161	$	23,195	$	623,958	$	632,889	$	646,119	$	656,084
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	33,868	$	32,900	$	684,953	$	661,287	$	718,821	$	694,187
Projected benefit obligation	$	33,868	$	32,900	$	684,953	$	661,287	$	718,821	$	694,187

The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost (credit), the return on the Company’s post-retirement plan assets, benefits paid, contributions and other amounts recognized in AOCI for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:

	Pension Plans									Medical Plan
	For The Year Ended									For The Year Ended
	December 31,									December 31,
	2016			2015			2014			2016			2015			2014
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit):
Service cost	$	1,235		$	1,530		$	971		$	11		$	27		$	33
Interest cost		19,871			24,600			30,041			167			179			194
Expected return on plan assets		(27,337	)		(28,301	)		(32,607	)
Amortization of:
Prior service cost		2,369			2,376			2,841
Net actuarial loss (gain)		3,888			5,440			4,360			(185	)					(529	)
Settlement gain											(1,788	)
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	$	26		$	5,645		$	5,606		$	(1,795	)	$	206		$	(302	)


Actual return on plan assets	$	119,287		$	9,873		$	91,829
Employer contributions	$	11,343		$	39,301		$	7,648		$	3,289		$	276		$	221
Benefits paid	$	29,384		$	32,321		$	28,877		$	3,289		$	276		$	221
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in AOCI (excluding tax expense (benefit) of $(998), $7,151 and $(7,119) during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively):
Net actuarial (gain) loss	$	51,626		$	(4,650	)	$	41,082		$	(1,638	)	$	(695	)	$	428
Reclassification of prior service (cost) credit to earnings		(2,369	)		(2,376	)		(2,841	)
Reclassification of actuarial gain (loss) to earnings		(3,888	)		(5,440	)		(4,360	)		1,973						529
Currency translation and other adjustments		(20,309	)		(11,582	)		(10,485	)
Total recognized in AOCI	$	25,060		$	(24,048	)	$	23,396		$	335		$	(695	)	$	957
Net amount recognized in total periodic benefit cost and AOCI	$	25,086		$	(18,403	)	$	29,002		$	(1,460	)	$	(489	)	$	655

The amounts in AOCI on the consolidated statement of financial condition as of December 31, 2016 that are expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) for the year ending December 31, 2017 are as follows:

Pension

Plans

Prior service cost

Net actuarial loss (gain)

5,291

The assumptions used to develop actuarial present value of the projected benefit obligation and net periodic pension cost as of or for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 are set forth below:

	Pension Plans									Medical Plan
	December 31,									December 31,
	2016			2015			2014			2016			2015			2014
Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
Discount rate		2.5	%		3.5	%		3.4	%		-			3.9	%		3.7	%
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost:
Discount rate		1.9	%		2.6	%		2.0	%		3.9	%		3.7	%		4.3	%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets		4.6	%		4.3	%		5.1	%		-			-			-
Healthcare cost trend rates used to determine net periodic benefit cost:
Initial											6.5	%		7.0	%		7.5	%
Ultimate											5.0	%		5.0	%		5.0	%
Year ultimate trend rate achieved										2019			2019			2019

Generally, the Company determined the discount rates for its defined benefit plans by utilizing indices for long-term, high-quality bonds and ensuring that the discount rate does not exceed the yield reported for those indices after adjustment for the duration of the plans’ liabilities.

In selecting the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, the Company considered the average rate of earnings expected on the funds invested or to be invested to provide for the benefits of the plan, giving consideration to expected returns on different asset classes held by the plans in light of prevailing economic conditions as well as historical returns. This basis is consistent for all years presented.

The assumed cost of healthcare has an effect on the amounts reported for the Company’s medical plan. A 1% change in the assumed healthcare cost trend rate would increase (decrease) our cost and obligation as follows:

	1% Increase				1% Decrease
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Cost	$	-	$	28	$	-	$	(20	)
Obligation	$	-	$	661	$	-	$	(433	)

Expected Benefit Payments—The following table summarizes the expected benefit payments for the Company’s pension plans for each of the next five fiscal years and in the aggregate for the five fiscal years thereafter:

	Pension
	Plans
2017	$	21,014
2018		23,284
2019		24,307
2020		24,239
2021		25,587
2022-2026		143,220

Plan Assets—The following tables present the categorization of our pension plans’ assets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, measured at fair value, into a fair value hierarchy and investments measured at NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient in accordance with fair value measurement disclosure requirements:

	As of December 31, 2016
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		NAV (a)		Total
Assets:
Cash	$	23,341	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	23,341
Debt		63,431		-		-		-		63,431
Equities		29,287		-		-		-		29,287
Funds:
Alternative investments		1,216		-		-		23,062		24,278
Debt		10,494		-		-		320,560		331,054
Equity		167,981		-		-		6,129		174,110
Derivative		-		618		-		-		618
Total	$	295,750	$	618	$	-	$	349,751	$	646,119

	As of December 31, 2015
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		NAV (a)		Total
Assets:
Cash	$	19,172	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	19,172
Debt		56,247		-		-		-		56,247
Equities		25,901		-		-		-		25,901
Funds:
Alternative investments		668		-		-		525		1,193
Debt		11,699		-		-		325,312		337,011
Equity		210,897		-		-		6,247		217,144
Total	$	324,584	$	-	$	-	$	332,084	$	656,668
Liabilities:
Derivatives	$	-	$	584	$	-	$	-	$	584
Total	$	-	$	584	$	-	$	-	$	584

(a)	Represents certain investments measured at NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient in determining fair value. In accordance with current accounting guidance, these investments have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. See Note 3 for additional information.

Included in equity funds are $97,933 and $70,444 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, that are invested in funds managed by LAM.

Consistent with the plans’ investment strategies, at December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company’s U.S. pension plan had 53% and 50%, respectively, of the plans’ assets invested in equity funds in Level 1 and measured at NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient and 47% and 50%, respectively, invested in Level 1 debt funds. The Company’s non-U.S. pension plans at December 31, 2016 and 2015 had 31% and 37%, respectively, of the plans’ assets invested in equities and equity funds that are primarily Level 1 assets; 62% and 60%, respectively, of the plans’ assets invested in debt and debt funds that are Level 1 assets and measured at NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient, and 7% and 3%, respectively, of the plans’ assets invested in cash, which is a Level 1 asset, or in alternative investment funds that are primarily measured at NAV.

Investment Policies and Strategies—The primary investment goal is to ensure that the pension plans remain well funded, taking account of the likely future risks to investment returns and contributions. As a result, a portfolio of assets is maintained with appropriate liquidity and diversification that can be expected to generate long-term future returns that minimize the long-term costs of the pension plans without exposing the plans to an unacceptable risk of under-funding. The Company’s likely future ability to pay such contributions as are required to maintain the funded status of the plans over a reasonable time period is considered when determining the level of risk that is appropriate. The fair value of plan investments classified as Level 1 assets are based on market quotes. The fair value of plan investments measured at NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient is determined based on information provided by external fund administrators and such investments are redeemable in the near term.

Defined Contribution Plans—Pursuant to certain matching contributions, the Company contributes to employer sponsored defined contribution plans. Such contributions amounted to $14,454, $12,493 and $11,904 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, which are included in “compensation and benefits” expense on the consolidated statements of operations.

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

16.	INCOME TAXES

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. Lazard Group, through its subsidiaries, is subject to state and local taxes on its income apportioned to various state and local jurisdictions. Outside the U.S., Lazard Group operates principally through subsidiary corporations that are subject to local income taxes in foreign jurisdictions. Lazard Group is also subject to UBT attributable to its operations apportioned to New York City.

Substantially all of Lazard’s operations outside the U.S. are conducted in “pass-through” entities for U.S. income tax purposes. The Company provides for U.S. income taxes on a current basis for the relevant portion 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.

The components of the Company’s provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, and a reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rates for such years, are shown below.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Current:
Federal	$	(2,066	)	$	3,917		$	375
Foreign		52,644			75,718			59,296
State and local (primarily UBT)		4,320			4,811			5,411
Total current		54,898			84,446			65,082
Deferred:
Federal		(2,902	)		(124	)		(128	)
Foreign		1,407			(3,960	)		9,239
State and local		(3,730	)		1,186			3,622
Total deferred		(5,225	)		(2,898	)		12,733
Total	$	49,673		$	81,548		$	77,815

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
U.S. federal statutory income tax rate		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
Rate benefit for U.S. Partnership operations		(35.0	)		(35.0	)		(35.0	)
Foreign taxes		10.4			13.5			12.7
State and local taxes		0.1			1.1			1.7
Other, net		(1.0	)		0.8			-
Effective income tax rate		9.5	%		15.4	%		14.4	%

See Note 19 regarding “operating income (loss)” by geographic region.

Deferred income taxes are provided for the effects of temporary differences between the tax basis of an asset or liability and its reported amount in the consolidated statements of financial condition. These temporary differences result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years. Details of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

	December 31,
	2016			2015
Deferred Tax Assets:
Basis adjustments (a)	$	18,755		$	19,353
Compensation and benefits		78,524			99,714
Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards		31,870			44,060
Depreciation and amortization		848			840
Other		8,093			6,486
Gross deferred tax assets		138,090			170,453
Valuation allowance		(55,194	)		(89,100	)
Deferred tax assets (net of valuation allowance)		82,896			81,353
Deferred Tax Liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization		1,599			1,702
Compensation and benefits		5,446			9,332
Goodwill		340			357
Other		24,369			28,371
Deferred tax liabilities		31,754			39,762
Net deferred tax assets	$	51,142		$	41,591

(a)	The basis adjustments recorded as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 are primarily the result of additional basis from acquisitions of interests.

The historical profitability of each tax paying entity is an important factor in determining whether to record a valuation allowance and when to release any such allowance. Certain of our tax-paying entities have individually experienced losses on a cumulative three-year basis. In addition, one of our tax-paying entities has recorded a valuation allowance on substantially all of its deferred tax assets due to the combined effect of operating losses in certain subsidiaries of that entity as well as foreign taxes that together substantially offset any U.S. tax liability. Taking into account all available information, we cannot determine that it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets held by these entities will be realized. Consequently, we have recorded valuation allowances on our deferred tax assets of $55,194 and $89,100 as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

Changes in the deferred tax assets valuation allowance for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Beginning Balance	$	89,100		$	101,531		$	116,830
Credited to provision for income taxes		(30,185	)		(12,016	)		(14,165	)
Charged (credited) to other comprehensive income (a)		(3,721	)		(415	)		(1,134	)
Ending Balance	$	55,194		$	89,100		$	101,531

(a)	2016 includes acquisition-related deferred tax assets offset by a valuation allowance in the amount of $2,218.

The Company had net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards for which related deferred tax assets of $31,870 were recorded at December 31, 2016 primarily relating to:

(i)

indefinite-lived carryforwards (subject to various limitations) of approximately $16,546, in Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Spain; and

(ii)

certain carryforwards of approximately $4,852 in the U.S., which begin expiring in 2022.

As a result of certain realization requirements regarding share-based incentive plan awards, certain deferred tax assets pertaining to tax deductions related to equity compensation in excess of compensation recognized for financial reporting that would otherwise have been recognized at December 31, 2016 and 2015 of $17,035 and $21,484, respectively, are not included in the deferred tax assets and liabilities table above. The impact of such excess tax deductions will be included in deferred tax assets upon adoption of new accounting guidance (see Note 3).

With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to income tax examination by foreign tax authorities and by U.S. federal, state and local tax authorities for years prior to 2012. While we are under examination in various tax jurisdictions with respect to certain open years, the Company does not expect that the result of any final determination related to these examinations will have a material impact on its financial statements. Developments with respect to such examinations are monitored on an ongoing basis and adjustments to tax liabilities are made as appropriate.

A reconciliation of the beginning to the ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits (excluding interest and penalties) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Balance, January 1 (excluding interest and penalties of $13,083, $13,004 and $11,814, respectively)	$	46,822		$	42,904		$	39,173
Increases in gross unrecognized tax benefits relating to tax positions taken during:
Prior years		5,891			-			2,451
Current year		11,194			12,456			11,663
Decreases in gross unrecognized tax benefits relating to:
Tax positions taken during prior years		(5,316	)		(621	)		(3,191	)
Settlements with tax authorities		(1,706	)		-			-
Lapse of the applicable statute of limitations		(8,984	)		(7,917	)		(7,192	)
Balance, December 31 (excluding interest and penalties of $15,392, $13,083 and $13,004, respectively)	$	47,901		$	46,822		$	42,904

Additional information with respect to unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Unrecognized tax benefits at the end of the year that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective tax rate (includes interest and penalties of $15,392, $13,083 and $13,004, respectively)	$	53,347	$	44,327	$	40,353
Unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would not affect the effective tax rate	$	9,946	$	15,578	$	15,555
Interest and penalties recognized in current income tax expense (after giving effect to the reversal of interest and penalties of $3,143, $3,865 and $2,791, respectively)	$	2,309	$	79	$	1,190

The Company anticipates that it is reasonably possible that approximately $17,000 of unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties recorded at December 31, 2016, may be recognized within 12 months as a result of the lapse of the statute of limitations in various tax jurisdictions.

Related Parties

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Related Parties

17.	RELATED PARTIES


	Receivable from and Payable to Lazard Ltd Subsidiaries

Lazard Group’s receivables from subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd at December 31, 2016 and 2015 included interest-bearing loans of $20,365 and $106,567, respectively, including accrued interest thereon. In 2014, $91,028 of interest-bearing loans were repaid in a non-cash transaction through a transfer of Class A common stock from a Lazard Ltd subsidiary to Lazard Group. The effect of this transaction is excluded from financing activities on the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2014. Interest income relating to interest-bearing loans with subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd amounted to $250, $373 and $5,816 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

As of December 2016 and 2015, Lazard Group’s payables to subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd included interest-bearing loans, including interest thereon, of approximately $60,500 and $102,000, respectively. In the fourth quarter of 2015, Lazard Group received a capital contribution of $30,000 from a subsidiary of Lazard Ltd in a non-cash transaction through the reduction of an interest-bearing loan. The effect of this transaction is excluded from financing activities on the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2015. Interest expense relating to interest-bearing loans with subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd amounted to $3,503, $3,917 and $5,657 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Sponsored Funds

The Company serves as an investment advisor for certain affiliated investment companies and fund entities and receives management fees and, for the alternative investment funds, performance fees for providing such services. Investment advisory fees relating to such services were $516,667, 534,752 and $532,415 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and are included in “asset management fees” on the consolidated statements of operations. Of such amounts, $49,944 and $42,002 remained as receivables at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and are included in “fees receivable” on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Other

See Note 13 for information regarding related party transactions pertaining to shares repurchased from certain of our executive officers, subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd and other related parties.

Regulatory Authorities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Regulatory Capital Requirements [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. In addition, the ratio of aggregate indebtedness (as defined) to net capital may not exceed 15:1. At December 31, 2016, LFNY’s regulatory net capital was $182,571, which exceeded the minimum requirement by $176,352. LFNY’s aggregate indebtedness to net capital ratio was 0.51:1 as of December 31, 2016.

Certain U.K. subsidiaries of the Company, including LCL, Lazard Fund Managers Limited and Lazard Asset Management Limited (collectively, the “U.K. Subsidiaries”) are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. At December 31, 2016, the aggregate regulatory net capital of the U.K. Subsidiaries was $125,426, which exceeded the minimum requirement by $109,581.

CFLF, under which asset management and commercial banking activities are carried out in France, is subject to regulation by the Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution (“ACPR”) for its banking activities conducted through its subsidiary, LFB. LFB, as a registered bank, is engaged primarily in commercial and private banking services for clients and funds managed by LFG and other clients, and asset-liability management. 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 December 31, 2016, the consolidated regulatory net capital of CFLF was $131,227, which exceeded the minimum requirement set for regulatory capital levels by $94,318. 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 supervision, the combined European regulated group is required to comply with minimum requirements for regulatory net capital to be reported on a quarterly basis and satisfy periodic financial and other reporting obligations. At December 31, 2016, the regulatory net capital of the combined European regulated group was $159,102, which exceeded the minimum requirement set for regulatory capital levels by $84,949. 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.

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 December 31, 2016, for those subsidiaries with regulatory capital requirements, their aggregate net capital was $123,351, which exceeded the minimum required capital by $98,902.

At December 31, 2016, 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

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

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 its Financial Advisory and Asset Management business segments as described in Note 1. 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 years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 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, human resources, legal, facilities management and senior management activities.

For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, no individual client constituted more than 10% of the net revenue of any of the Company’s business segments.

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:

		As Of Or For The Year Ended December 31,
		2016			2015			2014
Financial Advisory	Net Revenue	$	1,301,044		$	1,279,628		$	1,206,734
	Operating Expenses (a)		1,011,495			1,005,837			977,681
	Operating Income	$	289,549		$	273,791		$	229,053
	Total Assets	$	883,384		$	763,374		$	785,557
Asset Management	Net Revenue	$	1,051,316		$	1,111,105		$	1,134,595
	Operating Expenses (a)		769,737			736,798			749,345
	Operating Income	$	281,579		$	374,307		$	385,250
	Total Assets	$	645,653		$	640,034		$	588,403
Corporate	Net Revenue	$	(22,489	)	$	(40,457	)	$	(40,593	)
	Operating Expenses (a)		26,646			76,796			32,735
	Operating Loss	$	(49,135	)	$	(117,253	)	$	(73,328	)
	Total Assets (b)	$	1,986,947		$	1,985,646		$	1,789,813
Total	Net Revenue	$	2,329,871		$	2,350,276		$	2,300,736
	Operating Expenses (a)		1,807,878			1,819,431			1,759,761
	Operating Income	$	521,993		$	530,845		$	540,975
	Total Assets (b)	$	3,515,984		$	3,389,054		$	3,163,773

(a)	Operating expenses include depreciation and amortization of property as set forth in table below.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Financial Advisory	$	5,665	$	4,412	$	4,826
Asset Management		3,666		2,957		2,610
Corporate		23,937		25,416		27,027
Total	$	33,268	$	32,785	$	34,463

(b)	As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, reflects the retrospective application of new guidance adopted by the Company on classification of debt issuance costs. See Note 3.

Geographic Information

Due to the highly integrated nature of international financial markets, the Company manages its business based on the profitability of the enterprise as a whole. Accordingly, management believes that profitability by geographic region is not necessarily meaningful. The Company’s revenue and identifiable assets are generally allocated based on the country or domicile of the legal entity providing the service.

The following table sets forth the net revenue from, and identifiable assets for, the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries by geographic region allocated on the basis described above.

	As Of Or For The Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Net Revenue:
United States	$	1,369,939	$	1,307,245	$	1,308,509
United Kingdom		313,538		307,072		277,610
France		311,028		350,841		376,432
Other Western Europe		168,329		151,892		150,810
Rest of World		167,037		233,226		187,375
Total	$	2,329,871	$	2,350,276	$	2,300,736
Operating Income (Loss):
United States	$	331,616	$	288,121	$	341,592
United Kingdom		89,279		70,742		61,744
France		47,390		73,675		87,308
Other Western Europe		35,699		22,277		12,634
Rest of World		18,009		76,030		37,697
Total	$	521,993	$	530,845	$	540,975
Identifiable Assets:
United States (a)	$	1,950,507	$	1,711,971	$	1,672,419
United Kingdom		238,195		282,403		266,584
France		899,738		992,541		809,241
Other Western Europe		141,038		125,921		135,889
Rest of World		286,506		276,218		279,640
Total (a)	$	3,515,984	$	3,389,054	$	3,163,773

(a)	As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, reflects the retrospective application of new guidance adopted by the Company on classification of debt issuance costs. See Note 3.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

+ References

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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+ Details

Supplemental Financial Information - Quarterly Results

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Supplemental Financial Information - Quarterly Results

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

QUARTERLY RESULTS (UNAUDITED)

The following represents the Company’s unaudited quarterly results for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015. These quarterly results were prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results. These adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.

	2016 Fiscal Quarter
	First		Second		Third		Fourth		Year
	(dollars in thousands)
Net revenue	$	497,604	$	533,711	$	607,877	$	690,679	$	2,329,871
Operating expenses		399,557		420,377		458,244		529,700		1,807,878
Operating income	$	98,047	$	113,334	$	149,633	$	160,979	$	521,993
Net income	$	86,312	$	97,612	$	127,980	$	160,416	$	472,320
Less - net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		3,900		1,006		83		1,004		5,993
Net income attributable to Lazard Group	$	82,412	$	96,606	$	127,897	$	159,412	$	466,327

	2015 Fiscal Quarter
	First (a)		Second		Third		Fourth			Year
	(dollars in thousands)
Net revenue	$	576,853	$	607,951	$	572,852	$	592,620		$	2,350,276
Operating expenses		496,242		446,815		422,884		453,490			1,819,431
Operating income	$	80,611	$	161,136	$	149,968	$	139,130		$	530,845
Net income	$	69,153	$	146,672	$	122,981	$	110,491		$	449,297
Less - net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		6,693		1,043		1,268		(2,445	)		6,559
Net income attributable to Lazard Group	$	62,460	$	145,629	$	121,713	$	112,936		$	442,738

(a)	See Note 11 for information regarding the debt refinancing.

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company Only)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Condensed Financial Information Of Parent Company Only Disclosure Abstract

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company Only)

LAZARD GROUP LLC

(parent company only)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015

(dollars in thousands)

	December 31,
	2016			2015
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	280,666		$	184,482
Due from subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd		317,308			351,825
Other receivables, net		3,807			9
Investments in subsidiaries, equity method		1,358,404			1,205,240
Other investments		139,693			175,689
Property, net		98,158			92,393
Goodwill and other intangibles assets-net		38,673			3,232
Other assets		42,960			64,895
Total assets	$	2,279,669		$	2,077,765
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities:
Accrued compensation and benefits	$	156,416		$	196,477
Due to subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd		150,550			157,353
Senior debt		1,188,600			989,358
Other liabilities		105,209			84,818
Total liabilities		1,600,775			1,428,006
Commitments and contingencies
MEMBERS’ EQUITY
Members' equity		949,669			839,517
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax		(270,775	)		(189,758	)
Total members’ equity		678,894			649,759
Total liabilities and members’ equity	$	2,279,669		$	2,077,765

See notes to condensed financial statements.

LAZARD GROUP LLC

(parent company only)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2015 AND 2014

(dollars in thousands)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015			2014
REVENUE
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	$	642,653	$	670,322		$	648,152
Interest income		886		1,366			6,997
Other		810		(9	)		7,329
Total revenue		644,349		671,679			662,478
Interest expense		47,898		51,047			63,005
Net revenue		596,451		620,632			599,473
OPERATING EXPENSES
Compensation and benefits		86,418		109,777			123,409
Professional services		4,971		4,963			5,300
Amortization and other acquisition-related costs		30,819		266			400
Other		5,903		60,797			9,426
Total operating expenses		128,111		175,803			138,535
OPERATING INCOME		468,340		444,829			460,938
Provision for income taxes		2,013		2,091			3,934
NET INCOME	$	466,327	$	442,738		$	457,004

See notes to condensed financial statements.

LAZARD GROUP LLC

(parent company only)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2015 AND 2014

(dollars in thousands)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
NET INCOME	$	466,327		$	442,738		$	457,004
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX:
Currency translation adjustments		(56,619	)		(44,062	)		(43,858	)
Employee benefit plans:
Actuarial gain (loss) (net of tax expense (benefit) of $(2,754), $5,644 and $(9,045) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively)		(26,924	)		11,283			(21,983	)
Adjustments for items reclassified to earnings (net of tax expense of $1,757, $1,507 and $1,923 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively)		2,526			6,309			4,749
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS, NET OF TAX		(81,017	)		(26,470	)		(61,092	)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	$	385,310		$	416,268		$	395,912

See notes to condensed financial statements.

LAZARD GROUP LLC

(parent company only)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2015 AND 2014

(dollars in thousands)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$	466,327		$	442,738		$	457,004
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries		(642,653	)		(670,322	)		(648,152	)
Deferred tax provision		96			2,219			2,441
Loss on extinguishment of debt		3,148			60,219			-
Amortization of deferred expenses and share-based incentive compensation		326,629			301,164			277,800
Depreciation and amortization of property		9,509			9,869			9,731
Loss on acquisition of portion of business already owned		3,591
Amortization and other acquisition-related costs		30,819			266			400
Distributions received from subsidiaries		393,287			527,373			563,036
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Due to/from subsidiaries		31,785			4,211			49,983
Other investments		31,694			21,556			(54,235	)
Other operating assets and liabilities		(81,093	)		(126,537	)		(17,881	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		573,139			572,756			640,127
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Additions to property		(15,274	)		(251	)		(7,473	)
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary		-			1,413			-
Capital contribution to subsidiaries		(2,773	)		(18,566	)		(16,987	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(18,047	)		(17,404	)		(24,460	)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from:
Excess tax benefit from share-based incentive compensation		27			13,300			5,149
Issuance of senior debt, net of expenses		296,757			396,272			-
Other financing activities		8,004			-			200
Payments for:
Senior debt		(101,441	)		(509,098	)		-
Capital lease obligations		(38	)		(88	)		(83	)
Distributions of members		(301,262	)		(129,787	)		(322,369	)
Settlement of vested share-based incentive compensation		(56,078	)		(120,116	)		(85,442	)
Purchase of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock		(300,217	)		(215,642	)		(141,192	)
Other financing activities		(4,660	)		(2,371	)		(5,840	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(458,908	)		(567,530	)		(549,577	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		96,184			(12,178	)		66,090
Cash and cash equivalents, January 1		184,482			196,660			130,570
Cash and cash equivalents, December 31	$	280,666		$	184,482		$	196,660

See notes to condensed financial statements.

LAZARD GROUP LLC

(parent company only)

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.	BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying Lazard Group LLC condensed financial statements (the “Parent Company Financial Statements”), including the notes thereto, should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of Lazard Group LLC and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) and the notes thereto.

The Parent Company Financial Statements as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016, are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenue and expenses, and the disclosures in the condensed financial statements. Management believes that the estimates utilized in the preparation of the condensed financial statements are reasonable. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.

The Parent Company Financial Statements include investments in subsidiaries, accounted for under the equity method. For the period ended December 31, 2016, equity in earnings of subsidiaries also includes a gain of $16,259 on the acquisition of MBA Lazard (which resulted from the increase in the fair value of the Company’s investment in MBA Lazard prior to the acquisition).

- Definition

The entire disclosure for condensed financial information, including the financial position, cash flows, and the results of operations of the registrant (parent company) as of the same dates or for the same periods for which audited consolidated financial statements are being presented. Alternatively, the details of this disclosure can be reported by the specific parent company taxonomy elements, indicating the appropriate date and period contexts in an instance document.

+ References + Details

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Foreign Currency Translation

Use of Estimates

•

the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts;

•

the realization of deferred tax assets and adequacy of tax reserves for uncertain tax positions;

•

the outcome of litigation;

•

the carrying amount of goodwill and other intangible assets;

•

the amortization period of intangible assets;

•

the valuation of shares issued or issuable that contain transfer restrictions;

•

the vesting of share-based and other deferred compensation plan awards; and

•

other matters that affect the reported amounts and disclosure of contingencies in the consolidated financial statements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents—The Company defines cash equivalents as short-term, highly liquid securities and cash deposits with original maturities of 90 days or less when purchased.

Deposits with Banks and Short-Term Investments

Cash Deposited with Clearing Organizations and Other Segregated Cash

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

See Note 4 for additional information regarding receivables.

Investments

See Notes 5 and 6 for additional information regarding the Company’s investments.

Property-net

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The Company completed its annual goodwill review as of November 1, 2016, and determined that no impairment existed.

See Note 9 with respect to goodwill and other intangible assets.

Derivative Instruments

Deposits and Other Customer Payables

Deposits and Other Customer Payables—Principally relates to LFB customer-related demand deposits, both interest-bearing and non-interest bearing.

Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased

Contingent Consideration Liabilities

Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

Revenue Recognition

Receivables relating to asset management and incentive fees are reported in “fees receivable” on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Soft Dollar Arrangements

Equity-Based Incentive Compensation Awards

Cost Saving Initiatives and Staff Reductions

Income Taxes

•

future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences;

•

future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards;

•

taxable income in prior carryback years; and

•

tax-planning strategies.

The assessment regarding whether a valuation allowance is required or should be adjusted also considers all available information, including the following:

•

nature, frequency, magnitude and duration of any past losses and current operating results;

•

duration of statutory carryforward periods;

•

historical experience with tax attributes expiring unused; and

•

near-term and medium-term financial outlook.

The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in “provision for income taxes”. See Note 16 for additional information relating to income taxes.

Organization

Lazard Group’s principal operating activities are included in two business segments:

•

Basis of Presentation

•

Voting interest entities (“VOEs”) where the Company holds a majority of the voting interest in such VOEs, and

•

which it records a proportionate share of the entity’s net earnings, or (ii) elects the option to measure at fair value. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Recent Accounting Developments

guidance retrospectively with an effective date of January 1, 2016, as it is required to coincide with the adoption of

the February 2015 guidance. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated

financial statements or related disclosures.

Fair Value Measurement Policy

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.

Level 3.

Receivables (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Receivables [Abstract]

Schedule of Activity in Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Beginning Balance	$	12,882		$	23,540		$	28,777
Bad debt expense, net of recoveries		10,055			3,125			12,246
Charge-offs, foreign currency translation and other adjustments		(6,551	)		(13,783	)		(17,483	)
Ending Balance	$	16,386		$	12,882		$	23,540

Investments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

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 December 31, 2016 and 2015:

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Interest-bearing deposits	$	456	$	54,885
Debt		-		535
Equities		41,017		44,834
Funds:
Alternative investments (a)		32,441		67,600
Debt (a)		74,597		55,935
Equity (a)		188,268		197,787
Private equity		122,421		100,219
		417,727		421,541
Equity method		222		8,917
Total investments		459,422		530,712
Less:
Interest-bearing deposits		456		54,885
Equity method		222		8,917
Investments, at fair value	$	458,744	$	466,910
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value (included in “other liabilities”)	$	4,482	$	3,239

(a)

Schedule of Trading Securities Net Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015			2014
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)	$	11,816	$	(19,784	)	$	(8,946	)

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

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

	December 31, 2016
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		NAV (a)		Total
Assets:
Investments:
Debt	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-
Equities		39,509		-		1,508		-		41,017
Funds:
Alternative investments		25,316		-		-		7,125		32,441
Debt		74,591		-		-		6		74,597
Equity		188,229		-		-		39		188,268
Private equity		-		-		-		122,421		122,421
Derivatives		-		1,993		-				1,993
Total	$	327,645	$	1,993	$	1,508	$	129,591	$	460,737
Liabilities:
Securities sold, not yet purchased	$	4,482	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	4,482
Contingent consideration liability		-		-		3,364		-		3,364
Derivatives		-		182,223		-		-		182,223
Total	$	4,482	$	182,223	$	3,364	$	-	$	190,069

	December 31, 2015
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		NAV (a)		Total
Assets:
Investments:
Debt	$	535	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	535
Equities		43,558		-		1,276		-		44,834
Funds:
Alternative investments		45,135		-		-		22,465		67,600
Debt		55,929		-		-		6		55,935
Equity		197,745		-		-		42		197,787
Private equity		-		-		-		100,219		100,219
Derivatives		-		1,048		-		-		1,048
Total	$	342,902	$	1,048	$	1,276	$	122,732	$	467,958
Liabilities:
Securities sold, not yet purchased	$	3,239	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	3,239
Derivatives		-		195,689		-		-		195,689
Total	$	3,239	$	195,689	$	-	$	-	$	198,928

(a)	Represents certain investments measured at NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient in determining fair value. In accordance with current accounting guidance, these investments have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. See Note 3 for additional information.

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

The following tables provide a summary of changes in fair value of the Company’s Level 3 assets and liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:

	Year Ended December 31, 2016
	Beginning Balance		Net Unrealized/ Realized Gains/Losses Included In Earnings (a)		Purchases/ Acquisitions		Sales/ Dispositions			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Ending Balance
Assets:
Investments:
Equities	$	1,276	$	248			$	-		$	(16	)	$	1,508
Total Level 3 Assets	$	1,276	$	248	$	-	$	-		$	(16	)	$	1,508

Liabilities:
Contingent consideration liability	$	-	$	30,481	$	2,950	$	(30,067	)	$	-		$	3,364
Total Level 3 Liabilities	$	-	$	30,481	$	2,950	$	(30,067	)	$	-		$	3,364

	Year Ended December 31, 2015 (b)
			Net Unrealized/
			Realized						Foreign
			Gains /Losses						Currency
	Beginning		Included In		Purchases/		Sales/		Translation			Ending
	Balance		Earnings (a)		Acquisitions		Dispositions		Adjustments			Balance
Assets:
Investments:
Equities	$	1,315	$	14	$	-	$	-	$	(53	)	$	1,276
Total Level 3 Assets	$	1,315	$	14	$	-	$	-	$	(53	)	$	1,276

	Year Ended December 31, 2014 (b)
	Beginning Balance		Net Unrealized/ Realized Gains/Losses Included In Earnings (a)		Purchases/ Acquisitions		Sales/ Dispositions			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Ending Balance
Assets:
Investments:
Equities	$	1,340	$	19	$	-	$	(1	)	$	(43	)	$	1,315
Total Level 3 Assets	$	1,340	$	19	$	-	$	(1	)	$	(43	)	$	1,315

(a)

(b)	The tables for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 reflect the retrospective application of new disclosure guidance adopted by the Company for investments using NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient when measuring fair value. See Note 3.

Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value

	December 31, 2016
					Fair Value Measurements Using:
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,131,440	$	1,131,440	$	1,131,440	$	-	$	-
Deposits with banks and short-term investments		419,668		419,668		419,668		-		-
Cash deposited with clearing organizations and other segregated cash		29,030		29,030		29,030		-		-
Interest-bearing financing receivables		76,133		78,072		-		-		78,072
Interest-bearing deposits (included within investments)		456		456		456		-		-
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits and other customer payables	$	472,283	$	472,283	$	472,283	$	-	$	-
Senior debt		1,188,600		1,204,171		-		1,204,171		-

	December 31, 2015
					Fair Value Measurements Using:
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,025,844	$	1,025,844	$	1,025,844	$	-	$	-
Deposits with banks and short-term investments		389,861		389,861		389,861		-		-
Cash deposited with clearing organizations and other segregated cash		34,948		34,948		34,948		-		-
Interest-bearing financing receivables		81,774		82,573		-		-		82,573
Interest-bearing deposits (included within investments)		54,885		54,885		54,885		-		-
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits and other customer payables	$	506,665	$	506,665	$	506,665	$	-	$	-
Senior debt		989,358		993,999		-		993,999		-

Fair Value of Certain Investments Based on NAV

The following tables present, at December 31, 2016 and 2015, certain investments that are valued using NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient in determining fair value:

December 31, 2016

Estimated Liquidation Period of

Investments Not Redeemable

Investments

Redeemable

Fair Value

Unfunded

Commitments

% of

Fair Value

Not

Redeemable

5 Years

5-10

Years

Thereafter

Redemption

Frequency

Redemption

Notice Period

Alternative investment funds:

Hedge funds

6,190

(a)

<30-60 days

Funds of funds

492

(b)

<30-90 days

Other

443

(c)

<30-60 days

Debt funds

(d)

30 days

Equity funds

(e)

<30-90 days

Private equity funds:

Equity growth

90,824

9,183

(f)

100

Mezzanine debt

31,597

100

Total

129,591

9,183

(a)	weekly (73%), monthly (2%) and quarterly (25%)

(b)	monthly (98%) and quarterly (2%)

(c)	daily (7%) and monthly (93%)

(d)	daily (100%)

(e)	daily (19%), monthly (50%) and quarterly (31%)

(f)	Unfunded commitments to private equity investments consolidated but not owned by Lazard of $6,886 are excluded. Such commitments are required to be funded by capital contributions from noncontrolling interest holders.

December 31, 2015

Estimated Liquidation Period of

Investments Not Redeemable

Investments

Redeemable

Fair Value

Unfunded

Commitments

% of

Fair Value

Not

Redeemable

5 Years

5-10

Years

Thereafter

Redemption

Frequency

Redemption

Notice Period

Alternative investment funds:

Hedge funds

20,410

(a)

<30-60 days

Funds of funds

465

(b)

<30-90 days

Other

1,590

(c)

<30-60 days

Debt funds

(d)

30 days

Equity funds

(e)

<30-90 days

Private equity funds:

Equity growth

67,895

10,242

(f)

100

Mezzanine debt

32,324

100

Total

122,732

10,242

(a)	weekly (23%), monthly (69%) and quarterly (8%)

(b)	monthly (98%) and quarterly (2%)

(c)	daily (20%) and monthly (80%)

(d)	daily (100%)

(e)	daily (18%), monthly (54%) and quarterly (28%)

(f)	Unfunded commitments to private equity investments consolidated but not owned by Lazard of $5,501 are excluded. Such commitments are required to be funded by capital contributions from noncontrolling interest holders.

Derivatives (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Fair Values of Derivatives Reported on Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Derivative Assets:
Forward foreign currency exchange rate contracts	$	1,993	$	1,015
Total return swaps and other (a)		-		33
	$	1,993	$	1,048
Derivative Liabilities:
Forward foreign currency exchange rate contracts	$	2,792	$	1,584
Total return swaps and other (a)		9,043		531
LFI and other similar deferred compensation arrangements		170,388		193,574
	$	182,223	$	195,689

(a)

Net Gains (Losses) with Respect to Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015		2014
Forward foreign currency exchange rate contracts	$	(2,253	)	$	15,773	$	22,959
LFI and other similar deferred compensation arrangements		(3,318	)		3,827		(7,326	)
Total return swaps and other		(3,022	)		4,099		(4,596	)
Total	$	(8,593	)	$	23,699	$	11,037

Property (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]

Components of Property

At December 31, 2016 and 2015, property consists of the following:

	Estimated
	Depreciable		December 31,
	Life in Years		2016		2015
Buildings		33	$	132,821	$	137,181
Leasehold improvements	3-20			175,810		167,838
Furniture and equipment	3-10			172,325		160,552
Construction in progress				14,038		7,099
Total				494,994		472,670
Less - Accumulated depreciation and amortization				285,997		265,505
Property			$	208,997	$	207,165

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Components of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The components of goodwill and other intangible assets at December 31, 2016 and 2015 are presented below:

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Goodwill	$	352,124	$	320,761
Other intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization)		6,858		6,215
	$	358,982	$	326,976

Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Balance, January 1	$	320,761		$	335,402		$	345,453
Business acquisitions (see Note 12)		33,078			-			3,232
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(1,715	)		(14,641	)		(13,283	)
Balance, December 31	$	352,124		$	320,761		$	335,402

Gross Cost and Accumulated Amortization of Other Intangible Assets

The gross cost and accumulated amortization of other intangible assets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, by major intangible asset category, are as follows:

	December 31, 2016						December 31, 2015
	Gross Cost		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount		Gross Cost		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
Success/performance fees	$	33,040	$	26,543	$	6,497	$	30,740	$	25,192	$	5,548
Management fees, customer relationships and non-compete agreements		33,436		33,075		361		33,036		32,369		667
	$	66,476	$	59,618	$	6,858	$	63,776	$	57,561	$	6,215

Estimated Future Amortization Expense

Estimated future amortization expense is as follows:

Year Ending December 31,	Amortization Expense (a)
2017	$	6,079
2018		779
2019		-
2020		-
Total amortization expense	$	6,858

(a)	Approximately 31% of intangible asset amortization is attributable to a noncontrolling interest.

Other Assets and Other Liabilities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Text Block [Abstract]

Schedule of Other Assets

The following table sets forth the Company’s other assets, by type, as of December 31, 2016 and 2015:

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Current tax receivables and other taxes	$	29,012	$	28,499
Prepaid compensation (see Note 14)		49,650		75,703
Other advances and prepayments		35,659		53,339
Other		67,373		57,282
Total	$	181,694	$	214,823

Schedule of Other Liabilities

The following table sets forth the Company’s other liabilities, by type, as of December 31, 2016 and 2015:

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Accrued expenses	$	123,293	$	128,022
Current income taxes and other taxes		92,044		104,734
Employee benefit-related liabilities		84,703		81,687
Deferred lease incentives		84,287		83,566
Unclaimed funds at LFB		24,997		26,022
Abandoned leased space (principally in the U.K.)		4,973		8,760
Deferred revenue		35,717		30,178
Contingent consideration liability		3,364		-
Securities sold, not yet purchased		4,482		3,239
Other		44,429		28,489
Total	$	502,289	$	494,697

Senior Debt (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Senior Debt

Senior debt is comprised of the following as of December 31, 2016 and 2015:

							Outstanding as of
	Initial			Annual			December 31, 2016						December 31, 2015
	Principal Amount		Maturity Date	Interest Rate(b)			Principal		Unamortized Debt Costs		Carrying Value		Principal		Unamortized Debt Costs		Carrying Value
Lazard Group 2017 Senior Notes (a)		600,000	6/15/17		6.85	%	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	98,350	$	159	$	98,191
Lazard Group 2020 Senior Notes		500,000	11/14/20		4.25	%		500,000		3,569		496,431		500,000		4,491		495,509
Lazard Group 2025 Senior Notes (a)		400,000	2/13/25		3.75	%		400,000		3,833		396,167		400,000		4,342		395,658
Lazard Group 2027 Senior Notes (a)		300,000	3/1/27		3.625	%		300,000		3,998		296,002		-		-		-
Total							$	1,200,000	$	11,400	$	1,188,600	$	998,350	$	8,992	$	989,358

(a)

(b)

The effective interest rates of Lazard Group’s 4.25% senior notes due November 14, 2020 (the “2020 Notes”), the 2025 Notes and the 2027 Notes are 4.43%, 3.87% and 3.76%, respectively.

Debt Maturities Relating to Senior Borrowings Outstanding

Debt maturities relating to senior borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2016 for each of the five years in the period ending December 31, 2021 and thereafter are set forth in the table below.

Year Ending December 31,
2017	$	-
2018		-
2019
2020		500,000
2021		-
Thereafter		700,000
Total	$	1,200,000

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule Of Future Minimum Rental Payments For Operating And Capital Leases Table Text Block

At December 31, 2016, minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable leases, net of sublease income, are approximately as follows:

	Minimum Rental Commitments
Year Ending December 31,	Capital		Operating
2017	$	7,282	$	75,959
2018		38		73,224
2019		32		65,368
2020		5		62,516
2021		-		61,479
Thereafter		-		489,575
Total minimum lease payments		7,357		828,121
Less amount representing interest		152
Present value of capital lease commitments	$	7,205
Less sublease proceeds				45,643
Net lease payments			$	782,478

Members' Equity (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of Share Repurchase Authorized by Board of Directors

Share Repurchase Program—During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Board of Directors of Lazard authorized the repurchase of Class A common stock as set forth in the table below.

Date	Repurchase Authorization		Expiration
April 2014	$	200,000	December 31, 2015
February 2015	$	150,000	December 31, 2016
January 2016	$	200,000	December 31, 2017
April 2016	$	113,182	December 31, 2017
November 2016	$	236,000	December 31, 2018

Schedule of Share Repurchase Program

Years Ended December 31:	Number of Shares Purchased		Average Price Per Share
2014		4,114,206	$	46.83
2015		3,438,789	$	50.24
2016		8,551,271	$	35.11

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax

	Currency Translation Adjustments			Employee Benefit Plans			Total AOCI			Amount Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests			Total Lazard Group AOCI
Balance, January 1, 2016	$	(52,687	)	$	(137,073	)	$	(189,760	)	$	(2	)	$	(189,758	)
Activity January 1 to December 31, 2016:
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications		(56,619	)		(26,924	)		(83,543	)		-			(83,543	)
Adjustments for items reclassified to earnings, net of tax		-			2,526			2,526			-			2,526
Net other comprehensive loss		(56,619	)		(24,398	)		(81,017	)		-			(81,017	)
Balance, December 31, 2016	$	(109,306	)	$	(161,471	)	$	(270,777	)	$	(2	)	$	(270,775	)

	Currency Translation Adjustments			Employee Benefit Plans			Total AOCI			Amount Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests			Total Lazard Group AOCI
Balance, January 1, 2015	$	(8,625	)	$	(154,665	)	$	(163,290	)	$	(2	)	$	(163,288	)
Activity January 1 to December 31, 2015:
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(44,062	)		11,283			(32,779	)		-			(32,779	)
Adjustments for items reclassified to earnings, net of tax		-			6,309			6,309			-			6,309
Net other comprehensive income (loss)		(44,062	)		17,592			(26,470	)		-			(26,470	)
Balance, December 31, 2015	$	(52,687	)	$	(137,073	)	$	(189,760	)	$	(2	)	$	(189,758	)

	Currency Translation Adjustments			Employee Benefit Plans			Total AOCI			Amount Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests			Total Lazard Group AOCI
Balance, January 1, 2014	$	35,236		$	(137,431	)	$	(102,195	)	$	1		$	(102,196	)
Activity January 1 to December 31, 2014:
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications		(43,861	)		(21,983	)		(65,844	)		(3	)		(65,841	)
Adjustments for items reclassified to earnings, net of tax		-			4,749			4,749			-			4,749
Net other comprehensive income loss		(43,861	)		(17,234	)		(61,095	)		(3	)		(61,092	)
Balance, December 31, 2014	$	(8,625	)	$	(154,665	)	$	(163,290	)	$	(2	)	$	(163,288	)

Adjustments for Items Reclassified Out of AOCI

The table below reflects adjustments for items reclassified out of AOCI, by component, for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Amortization relating to employee benefit plans (a)	$	4,283	$	7,816	$	6,672
Less - related income taxes		1,757		1,507		1,923
Total reclassifications, net of tax	$	2,526	$	6,309	$	4,749

(a)	Included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (see Note 15). Such amounts are included in “compensation and benefits” expense on the consolidated statements of operations.

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests

	Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Edgewater	$	5,992	$	6,557	$	6,153
Other		1		2		3
Total	$	5,993	$	6,559	$	6,156

	Noncontrolling Interests as of December 31,
	2016		2015
Edgewater	$	57,238	$	53,132
Other		8		9
Total	$	57,246	$	53,141

Incentive Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Summary of Impact of Share-Based Incentive Plans on Compensation and Benefits Expense

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Share-based incentive awards:
RSUs	$	171,188	$	166,395	$	169,916
PRSUs		43,018		36,529		18,428
Restricted Stock		45,536		22,342		16,110
DSUs		860		729		871
Total	$	260,602	$	225,995	$	205,325

Summary of LFI and Other Similar Deferred Compensation Arrangements

The following is a summary of activity relating to LFI and other similar deferred compensation arrangements during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:

	Prepaid Compensation Asset			Compensation Liability
Balance, January 1, 2016	$	75,703		$	193,574
Granted		52,121			52,121
Settled		-			(77,457	)
Forfeited		(2,942	)		(5,380	)
Amortization		(73,340	)		-
Change in fair value related to:
Increase in fair value of underlying investments		-			3,318
Adjustment for estimated forfeitures		-			4,671
Other		(1,892	)		(459	)
Balance, December 31, 2016	$	49,650		$	170,388

	Prepaid Compensation Asset			Compensation Liability
Balance, January 1, 2015	$	73,278		$	207,306
Granted		89,817			89,817
Settled		-			(96,223	)
Forfeited		(4,099	)		(8,052	)
Amortization		(82,736	)		-
Change in fair value related to:
Decrease in fair value of underlying investments		-			(3,827	)
Adjustment for estimated forfeitures		-			6,780
Other		(557	)		(2,227	)
Balance, December 31, 2015	$	75,703		$	193,574

	Year Ended Ended December 31,
	2016		2015			2014
Amortization, net of forfeitures	$	75,573	$	85,563		$	82,359
Change in the fair value of underlying investments		3,318		(3,827	)		7,326
Total	$	78,891	$	81,736		$	89,685

Restricted Stock Units And Deferred Stock Units [Member]

Schedule of Activity Relating to Share-based Awards

The following is a summary of activity relating to RSUs and DSUs during the three-year period ended December 31, 2016:

	RSUs					DSUs
	Units			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		Units			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Balance, January 1, 2014		16,630,009		$	34.51		251,434		$	32.02
Granted (including 375,954 RSUs relating to dividend participation)		3,825,737		$	42.59		34,793		$	50.04
Forfeited		(344,345	)	$	34.52		-			-
Vested		(6,582,285	)	$	37.80		-			-
Balance, December 31, 2014		13,529,116		$	35.19		286,227		$	34.21
Granted (including 693,714 RSUs relating to dividend participation)		4,296,386		$	48.57		26,443		$	55.11
Forfeited		(469,776	)	$	43.54		-			-
Vested		(7,756,068	)	$	31.12		-			-
Balance, December 31, 2015		9,599,658		$	44.06		312,670		$	35.98
Granted (including 1,085,354 RSUs relating to dividend participation)		6,878,306		$	34.86		48,814		$	35.23
Forfeited		(239,432	)	$	39.53		-			-
Vested		(4,540,394	)	$	39.16		(84,759	)	$	35.30
Balance, December 31, 2016		11,698,138		$	40.65		276,725		$	36.05

Restricted Stock Awards Class A [Member]

Schedule of Activity Relating to Share-based Awards

The following is a summary of activity related to shares of restricted Class A common stock associated with compensation arrangements during the three-year period ended December 31, 2016:

	Restricted Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Balance, January 1, 2014		575,054		$	32.72
Granted		449,911		$	45.52
Forfeited		(13,336	)	$	41.65
Vested		(281,802	)	$	37.42
Balance, December 31, 2014		729,827		$	38.63
Granted		576,886		$	50.88
Forfeited		(45,851	)	$	50.17
Vested		(547,124	)	$	39.50
Balance, December 31, 2015		713,738		$	47.12
Granted		1,795,258		$	36.76
Forfeited		(34,051	)	$	40.48
Vested		(819,872	)	$	37.16
Balance, December 31, 2016		1,655,073		$	40.95

PRSUs [Member]

Schedule of Activity Relating to Share-based Awards

The following is a summary of activity relating to PRSUs during the three-year period ended December 31, 2016:

	PRSUs			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Balance, January 1, 2014		448,128		$	36.11
Granted (a)		360,783		$	44.46
Performance units earned (b)		538,237		$	34.72
Balance, December 31, 2014		1,347,148		$	37.79
Granted (a)		368,389		$	52.85
Vested		(696,499	)	$	35.96
Balance, December 31, 2015		1,019,038		$	44.49
Granted (a)		627,956		$	32.91
Performance units earned (b)		360,783		$	41.20
Vested		(417,021	)	$	38.43
Balance, December 31, 2016		1,590,756		$	40.76

(a)	Represents PRSU awards granted during the relevant year at the target payout level.

(b)	Represents shares of Class A common stock earned during the fiscal year under the performance criteria of previously-granted PRSU awards in excess of the target payout level of such awards.

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of an equity-based arrangement (such as stock or unit options and stock or unit awards) with an individual employee, which is generally an employment contract between the entity and a selected officer or key employee containing a promise by the employer to pay certain equity-based awards at future dates, sometimes including a period after retirement, upon compliance with stipulated requirements. This type of arrangement is distinguished from broader based employee benefit plans as it is usually tailored to the employee. Disclosure also typically includes the amount of related compensation expense recognized during the reporting period, the number of shares or units issued during the period under such arrangements, and the carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of the related liability.

+ References + Details

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of Changes in Benefit Obligations, Fair Value of Assets, Funded Status and Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

	Pension Plans						Medical Plan
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	694,187		$	764,169		$	4,750		$	5,514
Service cost		1,235			1,530			11			27
Interest cost		19,871			24,600			167			179
Actuarial (gain) loss		135,164			(22,395	)		(1,639	)		(694	)
Benefits paid		(31,904	)		(33,253	)		(3,289	)		(276	)
Foreign currency translation and other adjustments		(99,732	)		(40,464	)
Benefit obligation at end of year		718,821			694,187			-			4,750
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		656,084			672,576
Actual return on plan assets		119,287			9,873
Employer contributions		11,343			39,301			3,289			276
Benefits paid		(29,384	)		(32,321	)		(3,289	)		(276	)
Foreign currency translation and other adjustments		(111,211	)		(33,345	)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year		646,119			656,084			-			-
Funded (deficit) at end of year	$	(72,702	)	$	(38,103	)	$	-		$	(4,750	)
Amounts recognized in the consolidated statements of financial condition at December 31, 2016 and 2015 consist of:
Prepaid pension asset (included in “other assets”)	$	822		$	20,785
Accrued benefit liability (included in “other liabilities”)		(73,524	)		(58,888	)	$	-		$	(4,750	)
Net amount recognized	$	(72,702	)	$	(38,103	)	$	-		$	(4,750	)
Amounts recognized in AOCI (excluding tax benefits of $31,414 and $30,416 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively) consist of:
Actuarial net loss (gain)	$	192,855		$	165,462		$	-		$	(335	)
Prior service cost		30			2,362			-			-
Net amount recognized	$	192,885		$	167,824		$	-		$	(335	)

Summary of Fair Value of Plan Assets, Accumulated Benefit Obligation and Projected Benefit Obligation

The following table summarizes the fair value of plan assets, the accumulated benefit obligation and the projected benefit obligation at December 31, 2016 and 2015:

	U.S. Pension Plans				Non-U.S. Pension Plans				Total
	As Of December 31,				As Of December 31,				As Of December 31,
	2016		2015		2016		2015		2016		2015
Fair value of plan assets	$	22,161	$	23,195	$	623,958	$	632,889	$	646,119	$	656,084
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	33,868	$	32,900	$	684,953	$	661,287	$	718,821	$	694,187
Projected benefit obligation	$	33,868	$	32,900	$	684,953	$	661,287	$	718,821	$	694,187

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit)

	Pension Plans									Medical Plan
	For The Year Ended									For The Year Ended
	December 31,									December 31,
	2016			2015			2014			2016			2015			2014
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit):
Service cost	$	1,235		$	1,530		$	971		$	11		$	27		$	33
Interest cost		19,871			24,600			30,041			167			179			194
Expected return on plan assets		(27,337	)		(28,301	)		(32,607	)
Amortization of:
Prior service cost		2,369			2,376			2,841
Net actuarial loss (gain)		3,888			5,440			4,360			(185	)					(529	)
Settlement gain											(1,788	)
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	$	26		$	5,645		$	5,606		$	(1,795	)	$	206		$	(302	)


Actual return on plan assets	$	119,287		$	9,873		$	91,829
Employer contributions	$	11,343		$	39,301		$	7,648		$	3,289		$	276		$	221
Benefits paid	$	29,384		$	32,321		$	28,877		$	3,289		$	276		$	221
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in AOCI (excluding tax expense (benefit) of $(998), $7,151 and $(7,119) during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively):
Net actuarial (gain) loss	$	51,626		$	(4,650	)	$	41,082		$	(1,638	)	$	(695	)	$	428
Reclassification of prior service (cost) credit to earnings		(2,369	)		(2,376	)		(2,841	)
Reclassification of actuarial gain (loss) to earnings		(3,888	)		(5,440	)		(4,360	)		1,973						529
Currency translation and other adjustments		(20,309	)		(11,582	)		(10,485	)
Total recognized in AOCI	$	25,060		$	(24,048	)	$	23,396		$	335		$	(695	)	$	957
Net amount recognized in total periodic benefit cost and AOCI	$	25,086		$	(18,403	)	$	29,002		$	(1,460	)	$	(489	)	$	655

Schedule of Amounts in AOCI on Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition Expected to be Recognized

Pension

Plans

Prior service cost

Net actuarial loss (gain)

5,291

Schedule of Assumptions Used to Develop Actuarial Present Value of Projected Benefit Obligation and Net Periodic Pension Cost

	Pension Plans									Medical Plan
	December 31,									December 31,
	2016			2015			2014			2016			2015			2014
Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
Discount rate		2.5	%		3.5	%		3.4	%		-			3.9	%		3.7	%
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost:
Discount rate		1.9	%		2.6	%		2.0	%		3.9	%		3.7	%		4.3	%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets		4.6	%		4.3	%		5.1	%		-			-			-
Healthcare cost trend rates used to determine net periodic benefit cost:
Initial											6.5	%		7.0	%		7.5	%
Ultimate											5.0	%		5.0	%		5.0	%
Year ultimate trend rate achieved										2019			2019			2019

Schedule of Effect of Assumed Cost of Healthcare Reported for Company's Post Retirement Plans

	1% Increase				1% Decrease
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Cost	$	-	$	28	$	-	$	(20	)
Obligation	$	-	$	661	$	-	$	(433	)

Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments

	Pension
	Plans
2017	$	21,014
2018		23,284
2019		24,307
2020		24,239
2021		25,587
2022-2026		143,220

Schedule of Categorization of Plans' Assets

	As of December 31, 2016
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		NAV (a)		Total
Assets:
Cash	$	23,341	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	23,341
Debt		63,431		-		-		-		63,431
Equities		29,287		-		-		-		29,287
Funds:
Alternative investments		1,216		-		-		23,062		24,278
Debt		10,494		-		-		320,560		331,054
Equity		167,981		-		-		6,129		174,110
Derivative		-		618		-		-		618
Total	$	295,750	$	618	$	-	$	349,751	$	646,119

	As of December 31, 2015
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		NAV (a)		Total
Assets:
Cash	$	19,172	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	19,172
Debt		56,247		-		-		-		56,247
Equities		25,901		-		-		-		25,901
Funds:
Alternative investments		668		-		-		525		1,193
Debt		11,699		-		-		325,312		337,011
Equity		210,897		-		-		6,247		217,144
Total	$	324,584	$	-	$	-	$	332,084	$	656,668
Liabilities:
Derivatives	$	-	$	584	$	-	$	-	$	584
Total	$	-	$	584	$	-	$	-	$	584

(a)	Represents certain investments measured at NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient in determining fair value. In accordance with current accounting guidance, these investments have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. See Note 3 for additional information.

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Provision for Income Taxes

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Current:
Federal	$	(2,066	)	$	3,917		$	375
Foreign		52,644			75,718			59,296
State and local (primarily UBT)		4,320			4,811			5,411
Total current		54,898			84,446			65,082
Deferred:
Federal		(2,902	)		(124	)		(128	)
Foreign		1,407			(3,960	)		9,239
State and local		(3,730	)		1,186			3,622
Total deferred		(5,225	)		(2,898	)		12,733
Total	$	49,673		$	81,548		$	77,815

Schedule of Reconciliation of U.S. Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate to Effective Tax Rates

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
U.S. federal statutory income tax rate		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
Rate benefit for U.S. Partnership operations		(35.0	)		(35.0	)		(35.0	)
Foreign taxes		10.4			13.5			12.7
State and local taxes		0.1			1.1			1.7
Other, net		(1.0	)		0.8			-
Effective income tax rate		9.5	%		15.4	%		14.4	%

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

Details of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

	December 31,
	2016			2015
Deferred Tax Assets:
Basis adjustments (a)	$	18,755		$	19,353
Compensation and benefits		78,524			99,714
Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards		31,870			44,060
Depreciation and amortization		848			840
Other		8,093			6,486
Gross deferred tax assets		138,090			170,453
Valuation allowance		(55,194	)		(89,100	)
Deferred tax assets (net of valuation allowance)		82,896			81,353
Deferred Tax Liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization		1,599			1,702
Compensation and benefits		5,446			9,332
Goodwill		340			357
Other		24,369			28,371
Deferred tax liabilities		31,754			39,762
Net deferred tax assets	$	51,142		$	41,591

(a)	The basis adjustments recorded as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 are primarily the result of additional basis from acquisitions of interests.

Summary of Changes in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance

Changes in the deferred tax assets valuation allowance for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Beginning Balance	$	89,100		$	101,531		$	116,830
Credited to provision for income taxes		(30,185	)		(12,016	)		(14,165	)
Charged (credited) to other comprehensive income (a)		(3,721	)		(415	)		(1,134	)
Ending Balance	$	55,194		$	89,100		$	101,531

(a)	2016 includes acquisition-related deferred tax assets offset by a valuation allowance in the amount of $2,218.

Schedule of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits

A reconciliation of the beginning to the ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits (excluding interest and penalties) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Balance, January 1 (excluding interest and penalties of $13,083, $13,004 and $11,814, respectively)	$	46,822		$	42,904		$	39,173
Increases in gross unrecognized tax benefits relating to tax positions taken during:
Prior years		5,891			-			2,451
Current year		11,194			12,456			11,663
Decreases in gross unrecognized tax benefits relating to:
Tax positions taken during prior years		(5,316	)		(621	)		(3,191	)
Settlements with tax authorities		(1,706	)		-			-
Lapse of the applicable statute of limitations		(8,984	)		(7,917	)		(7,192	)
Balance, December 31 (excluding interest and penalties of $15,392, $13,083 and $13,004, respectively)	$	47,901		$	46,822		$	42,904

Schedule of Additional Information Relating to Unrecognized Tax Benefits

Additional information with respect to unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Unrecognized tax benefits at the end of the year that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective tax rate (includes interest and penalties of $15,392, $13,083 and $13,004, respectively)	$	53,347	$	44,327	$	40,353
Unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would not affect the effective tax rate	$	9,946	$	15,578	$	15,555
Interest and penalties recognized in current income tax expense (after giving effect to the reversal of interest and penalties of $3,143, $3,865 and $2,791, respectively)	$	2,309	$	79	$	1,190

Segment Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment's Contribution with Respect to Net Revenue, Operating Expenses, Operating Income (Loss) and Total Assets

		As Of Or For The Year Ended December 31,
		2016			2015			2014
Financial Advisory	Net Revenue	$	1,301,044		$	1,279,628		$	1,206,734
	Operating Expenses (a)		1,011,495			1,005,837			977,681
	Operating Income	$	289,549		$	273,791		$	229,053
	Total Assets	$	883,384		$	763,374		$	785,557
Asset Management	Net Revenue	$	1,051,316		$	1,111,105		$	1,134,595
	Operating Expenses (a)		769,737			736,798			749,345
	Operating Income	$	281,579		$	374,307		$	385,250
	Total Assets	$	645,653		$	640,034		$	588,403
Corporate	Net Revenue	$	(22,489	)	$	(40,457	)	$	(40,593	)
	Operating Expenses (a)		26,646			76,796			32,735
	Operating Loss	$	(49,135	)	$	(117,253	)	$	(73,328	)
	Total Assets (b)	$	1,986,947		$	1,985,646		$	1,789,813
Total	Net Revenue	$	2,329,871		$	2,350,276		$	2,300,736
	Operating Expenses (a)		1,807,878			1,819,431			1,759,761
	Operating Income	$	521,993		$	530,845		$	540,975
	Total Assets (b)	$	3,515,984		$	3,389,054		$	3,163,773

(a)	Operating expenses include depreciation and amortization of property as set forth in table below.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Financial Advisory	$	5,665	$	4,412	$	4,826
Asset Management		3,666		2,957		2,610
Corporate		23,937		25,416		27,027
Total	$	33,268	$	32,785	$	34,463

(b)	As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, reflects the retrospective application of new guidance adopted by the Company on classification of debt issuance costs. See Note 3.

Schedule of Operating Income, Revenue and Identifiable Assets by Geographical Areas

The following table sets forth the net revenue from, and identifiable assets for, the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries by geographic region allocated on the basis described above.

	As Of Or For The Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Net Revenue:
United States	$	1,369,939	$	1,307,245	$	1,308,509
United Kingdom		313,538		307,072		277,610
France		311,028		350,841		376,432
Other Western Europe		168,329		151,892		150,810
Rest of World		167,037		233,226		187,375
Total	$	2,329,871	$	2,350,276	$	2,300,736
Operating Income (Loss):
United States	$	331,616	$	288,121	$	341,592
United Kingdom		89,279		70,742		61,744
France		47,390		73,675		87,308
Other Western Europe		35,699		22,277		12,634
Rest of World		18,009		76,030		37,697
Total	$	521,993	$	530,845	$	540,975
Identifiable Assets:
United States (a)	$	1,950,507	$	1,711,971	$	1,672,419
United Kingdom		238,195		282,403		266,584
France		899,738		992,541		809,241
Other Western Europe		141,038		125,921		135,889
Rest of World		286,506		276,218		279,640
Total (a)	$	3,515,984	$	3,389,054	$	3,163,773

(a)	As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, reflects the retrospective application of new guidance adopted by the Company on classification of debt issuance costs. See Note 3.

Supplemental Financial Information - Quarterly Results (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information

	2016 Fiscal Quarter
	First		Second		Third		Fourth		Year
	(dollars in thousands)
Net revenue	$	497,604	$	533,711	$	607,877	$	690,679	$	2,329,871
Operating expenses		399,557		420,377		458,244		529,700		1,807,878
Operating income	$	98,047	$	113,334	$	149,633	$	160,979	$	521,993
Net income	$	86,312	$	97,612	$	127,980	$	160,416	$	472,320
Less - net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		3,900		1,006		83		1,004		5,993
Net income attributable to Lazard Group	$	82,412	$	96,606	$	127,897	$	159,412	$	466,327

	2015 Fiscal Quarter
	First (a)		Second		Third		Fourth			Year
	(dollars in thousands)
Net revenue	$	576,853	$	607,951	$	572,852	$	592,620		$	2,350,276
Operating expenses		496,242		446,815		422,884		453,490			1,819,431
Operating income	$	80,611	$	161,136	$	149,968	$	139,130		$	530,845
Net income	$	69,153	$	146,672	$	122,981	$	110,491		$	449,297
Less - net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		6,693		1,043		1,268		(2,445	)		6,559
Net income attributable to Lazard Group	$	62,460	$	145,629	$	121,713	$	112,936		$	442,738

(a)	See Note 11 for information regarding the debt refinancing.

Organization and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2014 $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2016 Segment	Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 01, 2014 shares
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Governing operating agreement, date		Oct. 26, 2015
Common stock, Class B shares conversion to Class A shares	1
Common stock conversion basis		In May 2014, the remaining outstanding Lazard Group common membership interests held by LAZ-MD Holdings were exchanged for shares of Lazard Ltd’s Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Class A common stock”), and the sole issued and outstanding share of Lazard Ltd’s Class B common stock was automatically converted into one share of Lazard Ltd’s Class A common stock pursuant to the provisions of Lazard Ltd’s bye-laws, resulting in only one outstanding class of common stock (the “Final Exchange of LAZ-MD Interests”). Following the Final Exchange of LAZ-MD Interests, Lazard Group became a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Lazard Ltd.
Number of business segments \| Segment		2
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Common stock, par value \| $ / shares	$ 0.01
LAZ-MD Holdings LLC [Member] \| Class B Common Stock [Member]
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding				1
Common stock, shares issued				1
Lazard Ltd [Member]
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Percentage of common membership interests held		100.00%	100.00%
Lazard Ltd [Member] \| LAZ-MD Holdings LLC [Member]
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Percentage of common membership interests held				0.50%

Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Foreign currency remeasurement gains (losses), net of hedge transactions	$ (1,465,000)	$ 1,467,000	$ 296,000
Depreciation and amortization expense	$ 33,268,000	32,785,000	34,463,000
Annual date of goodwill impairment	Nov. 01, 2016
Goodwill impairment loss	$ 0	0	0
Recoverable expenses	16,998,000	19,358,000	20,407,000
Soft dollar arrangement expenses	$ 23,000,000
Operating Segments [Member] \| Financial Advisory Segment [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Fees receivable outstanding past due	60 days
Contractual payment term description relating to our interest-bearing financing receivables	Financial Advisory transactions include specific contractual payment terms that may vary from one month to four years.
Period receivables past due in excess of 180 days are fully provided unless there is evidence that the balance is collectible	180 days
Depreciation and amortization expense	$ 5,665,000	4,412,000	4,826,000
Operating Segments [Member] \| Asset Management Segment [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Fees receivable outstanding past due	12 months
Depreciation and amortization expense	$ 3,666,000	$ 2,957,000	$ 2,610,000

Recent Accounting Developments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets will be recorded for previously unrecognized excess tax benefits outstanding	$ 21,484	$ 17,035
Accounting Standards Update 2015-03 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Reclassification from other assets to senior debt	$ 8,992

Receivables - Schedule of Activity in Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Rollforward
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivables, Beginning balance	$ 12,882	$ 23,540	$ 28,777
Bad debt expense, net of recoveries	10,055	3,125	12,246
Charge-offs, foreign currency translation and other adjustments	(6,551)	(13,783)	(17,483)
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivables, Ending balance	$ 16,386	$ 12,882	$ 23,540

Receivables - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables past due or deemed uncollectible	$ 22,212,000	$ 19,923,000
Interest-bearing financing fee receivables	76,133,000	81,774,000
Receivables from Lazard Ltd subsidiaries	28,702,000	108,817,000
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivables	16,386,000	12,882,000	$ 23,540,000	$ 28,777,000
Aggregate carrying amount of non-interest bearing receivables	570,486,000	417,689,000
Lazard Ltd Subsidiaries [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables from Lazard Ltd subsidiaries	20,365,000	106,567,000
Interest Bearing Receivables [Member] \| Lazard Ltd Subsidiaries [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables from Lazard Ltd subsidiaries	20,365,000	106,567,000
Financing Receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivables	$ 0	$ 0

Investments - Company's Investments and Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Total investments	$ 459,422	$ 530,712
Equity method	222	8,917
Investments, at fair value	458,744	466,910
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value (included in "other liabilities")	4,482	3,239
Interest-bearing Deposits [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Total investments	456	54,885
Debt [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Total investments		535
Investments, at fair value		535
Equities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Total investments	41,017	44,834
Alternative Investment Funds [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Total investments	32,441	67,600
Investments, at fair value	32,441	67,600
Debt Funds [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Total investments	74,597	55,935
Investments, at fair value	74,597	55,935
Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Total investments	188,268	197,787
Investments, at fair value	188,268	197,787
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Total investments	122,421	100,219
Investments, at fair value	122,421	100,219
Funds Total [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Total investments	$ 417,727	$ 421,541

Investments - Company's Investments and Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investments	$ 459,422	$ 530,712
Alternative Investment Funds [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investments	32,441	67,600
Alternative Investment Funds [Member] \| Lazard Fund Interests [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investments	13,080	10,996
Debt Funds [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investments	74,597	55,935
Debt Funds [Member] \| Lazard Fund Interests [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investments	37,869	31,598
Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investments	188,268	197,787
Equity Funds [Member] \| Lazard Fund Interests [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investments	$ 128,219	$ 156,081

Investments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Revenue relating to disposal of business		$ 24,388
Minimum [Member] \| Interest-bearing Deposits [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Interest-bearing deposits maturity period	3 months
Maximum [Member] \| Interest-bearing Deposits [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Interest-bearing deposits maturity period	1 year

Investments - Schedule of Trading Securities Net Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Net Realized Or Unrealized Gain Loss On Trading Securities [Abstract]
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)	$ 11,816	$ (19,784)	$ (8,946)

Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Classification of Investments and Certain Other Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis and Investments Measured at NAV (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments	$ 458,744	$ 466,910
Total Derivative Assets	1,993	1,048
Total investments measured at fair value	460,737	467,958
Securities sold, not yet purchased	4,482	3,239
Contingent consideration liability	3,364
Total Derivative Liabilities	182,223	195,689
Total of Liabilities Measured at Fair Value	190,069	198,928
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] \| NAV [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total investments measured at fair value	129,591	122,732
Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments		535
Equities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments	41,017	44,834
Alternative Investment Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments	32,441	67,600
Alternative Investment Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] \| NAV [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments	7,125	22,465
Debt Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments	74,597	55,935
Debt Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] \| NAV [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments	6	6
Equity Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments	188,268	197,787
Equity Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] \| NAV [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments	39	42
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments	122,421	100,219
Private Equity Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] \| NAV [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments	122,421	100,219
Level 1 [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total investments measured at fair value	327,645	342,902
Securities sold, not yet purchased	4,482	3,239
Total of Liabilities Measured at Fair Value	4,482	3,239
Level 1 [Member] \| Debt [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments		535
Level 1 [Member] \| Equities [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments	39,509	43,558
Level 1 [Member] \| Alternative Investment Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments	25,316	45,135
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	74,591	55,929
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	188,229	197,745
Level 2 [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total Derivative Assets	1,993	1,048
Total investments measured at fair value	1,993	1,048
Total Derivative Liabilities	182,223	195,689
Total of Liabilities Measured at Fair Value	182,223	195,689
Level 3 [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total investments measured at fair value	1,508	1,276
Contingent consideration liability	3,364
Total of Liabilities Measured at Fair Value	3,364
Level 3 [Member] \| Equities [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments	$ 1,508	$ 1,276

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Changes in Fair Value of Company's Level 3 Assets and Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets:
Beginning Balance	$ 1,276	$ 1,315	$ 1,340
Net Unrealized/Realized Gains/Losses Included In Earnings	248	14	19
Purchases/Acquisitions	0	0	0
Sales/Dispositions	0	0	(1)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	(16)	(53)	(43)
Ending Balance	1,508	1,276	1,315
Liabilities:
Beginning Balance	0
Net Unrealized/Realized Gains/Losses Included In Earnings	30,481
Purchases/Acquisitions	2,950
Sales/Dispositions	(30,067)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	0
Ending Balance	3,364	0
Contingent Consideration Liability [Member]
Liabilities:
Beginning Balance	0
Net Unrealized/Realized Gains/Losses Included In Earnings	30,481
Purchases/Acquisitions	2,950
Sales/Dispositions	(30,067)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	0
Ending Balance	3,364	0
Equities [Member]
Assets:
Beginning Balance	1,276	1,315	1,340
Net Unrealized/Realized Gains/Losses Included In Earnings	248	14	19
Purchases/Acquisitions	0	0	0
Sales/Dispositions	0	0	(1)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	(16)	(53)	(43)
Ending Balance	$ 1,508	$ 1,276	$ 1,315

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Changes in Fair Value of Company's Level 3 Assets and Liabilities (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Equities [Member]
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Net unrealized gains	$ 243	$ 14	$ 19
Contingent Consideration Liability [Member] \| Edgewater Acquisition [Member]
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Net unrealized losses	414
Net realized losses	$ 30,067

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Option Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Transfers between Level 1, 2 and 3 in fair value measurement hierarchy	$ 0	$ 0
Unfunded Commitments	9,183,000	$ 10,242,000
EGCP III [Member]
Fair Value Option Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Unfunded Commitments	$ 8,613,000
End of the investment period	Oct. 12, 2016
Remaining obligation date	Oct. 12, 2023

Fair Value Measurements - Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Financial Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,131,440	$ 1,025,844	$ 917,212	$ 832,277
Deposits with banks and short-term investments	419,668	389,861
Cash deposited with clearing organizations and other segregated cash	29,030	34,948
Interest-bearing financing receivables	76,133	81,774
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits and other customer payables	472,283	506,665
Senior debt	1,188,600	989,358
Carrying Value [Member]
Financial Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	1,131,440	1,025,844
Deposits with banks and short-term investments	419,668	389,861
Cash deposited with clearing organizations and other segregated cash	29,030	34,948
Interest-bearing financing receivables	76,133	81,774
Interest-bearing deposits (included within investments)	456	54,885
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits and other customer payables	472,283	506,665
Senior debt	1,188,600	989,358
Fair Value [Member]
Financial Assets:
Deposits with banks and short-term investments	419,668	389,861
Cash deposited with clearing organizations and other segregated cash	29,030	34,948
Interest-bearing financing receivables	78,072	82,573
Cash and cash equivalents	1,131,440	1,025,844
Interest-bearing deposits (included within investments)	456	54,885
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits and other customer payables	472,283	506,665
Senior debt	1,204,171	993,999
Fair Value [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Financial Assets:
Deposits with banks and short-term investments	419,668	389,861
Cash deposited with clearing organizations and other segregated cash	29,030	34,948
Cash and cash equivalents	1,131,440	1,025,844
Interest-bearing deposits (included within investments)	456	54,885
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits and other customer payables	472,283	506,665
Fair Value [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Financial Liabilities:
Senior debt	1,204,171	993,999
Fair Value [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Financial Assets:
Interest-bearing financing receivables	$ 78,072	$ 82,573

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value of Certain Investments Based on NAV (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ 129,591	$ 122,732
Unfunded Commitments	9,183	10,242
Hedge Funds [Member]
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ 6,190	$ 20,410
Hedge Funds [Member] \| Weekly [Member]
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Investments Redeemable, Percent	73.00%	23.00%
Hedge Funds [Member] \| Monthly [Member]
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Investments Redeemable, Percent	2.00%	69.00%
Hedge Funds [Member] \| Quarterly [Member]
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Investments Redeemable, Percent	25.00%	8.00%
Hedge 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
Hedge Funds [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Investments Redeemable, Redemption Notice Period	60 days	60 days
Funds of Funds [Member]
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ 492	$ 465
Funds of Funds [Member] \| Monthly [Member]
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Investments Redeemable, Percent	98.00%	98.00%
Funds of Funds [Member] \| Quarterly [Member]
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Investments Redeemable, Percent	2.00%	2.00%
Funds of 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
Funds of 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
Other [Member]
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ 443	$ 1,590
Other [Member] \| Monthly [Member]
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Investments Redeemable, Percent	93.00%	80.00%
Other [Member] \| Daily [Member]
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Investments Redeemable, Percent	7.00%	20.00%
Other [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
Other [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Investments Redeemable, Redemption Notice Period	60 days	60 days
Debt Funds [Member]
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ 6	$ 6
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, Percent	100.00%	100.00%
Equity Funds [Member]
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ 39	$ 42
Equity Funds [Member] \| Monthly [Member]
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Investments Redeemable, Percent	50.00%	54.00%
Equity Funds [Member] \| Quarterly [Member]
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Investments Redeemable, Percent	31.00%	28.00%
Equity Funds [Member] \| Daily [Member]
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Investments Redeemable, Percent	19.00%	18.00%
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	$ 90,824	$ 67,895
Unfunded Commitments	$ 9,183	$ 10,242
% of Fair Value Not Redeemable	100.00%	100.00%
Estimated Liquidation Period of Investments Not Redeemable, % Next 5 Years	12.00%	18.00%
Estimated Liquidation Period of Investments Not Redeemable, % 5-10 Years	33.00%	39.00%
Estimated Liquidation Period of Investments Not Redeemable, % Thereafter	55.00%	43.00%
Private Equity Funds [Member] \| Mezzanine Debt [Member]
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ 31,597	$ 32,324
% of Fair Value Not Redeemable	100.00%	100.00%
Estimated Liquidation Period of Investments Not Redeemable, % Thereafter	100.00%	100.00%

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value of Certain Investments Based on NAV (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Unfunded Commitments	$ 9,183	$ 10,242
Private Equity Funds [Member] \| Consolidated But Not Owned [Member]
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Unfunded Commitments	$ 6,886	$ 5,501

Derivatives - Fair Values of Derivatives Reported on Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets	$ 1,993	$ 1,048
Derivative Liabilities	182,223	195,689
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets	1,993	1,015
Derivative Liabilities	2,792	1,584
Total Return Swaps and Other [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets		33
Derivative Liabilities	9,043	531
LFI and Other Similar Deferred Compensation Arrangements [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities	$ 170,388	$ 193,574

Derivatives - Fair Values of Derivatives Reported on Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gross derivative liability	$ 170,388	$ 193,574	$ 207,306
Total Return Swaps [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gross derivative assets	357	460
Gross derivative liability	9,400	958
Cash collateral pledged for total return swaps	$ 16,996	$ 9,636

Derivatives - Net Gains (Losses) with Respect to Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gains (losses) on derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	$ (8,593)	$ 23,699	$ 11,037
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gains (losses) on derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	(2,253)	15,773	22,959
LFI and Other Similar Deferred Compensation Arrangements [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gains (losses) on derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	(3,318)	3,827	(7,326)
Total Return Swaps and Other [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gains (losses) on derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	$ (3,022)	$ 4,099	$ (4,596)

Property - Components of Property (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 494,994	$ 472,670
Less - Accumulated depreciation and amortization	285,997	265,505
Property	208,997	207,165
Buildings [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 132,821	137,181
Buildings [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	33 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 175,810	167,838
Leasehold Improvements [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	20 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	3 years
Furniture and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 172,325	160,552
Furniture and Equipment [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	10 years
Furniture and Equipment [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	3 years
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 14,038	$ 7,099

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Components of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	$ 352,124	$ 320,761	$ 335,402	$ 345,453
Other intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization)	6,858	6,215
Goodwill and other intangible assets, Total	$ 358,982	$ 326,976

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 352,124,000	$ 320,761,000	$ 335,402,000	$ 345,453,000
Goodwill impairment loss	0	0	0
Amortization and Other Acquisition Related Costs [Member]
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible assets	2,057,000	5,821,000	$ 6,387,000
Financial Advisory Segment [Member]
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	287,583,000	256,220,000
Asset Management Segment [Member]
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 64,541,000	$ 64,541,000

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Beginning Balance	$ 320,761	$ 335,402	$ 345,453
Business acquisitions	33,078		3,232
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,715)	(14,641)	(13,283)
Ending Balance	$ 352,124	$ 320,761	$ 335,402

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Gross Cost and Accumulated Amortization of Other Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, Gross Cost	$ 66,476	$ 63,776
Other intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	59,618	57,561
Other intangible assets, Net Carrying Amount	6,858	6,215
Success/Performance Fees [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, Gross Cost	33,040	30,740
Other intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	26,543	25,192
Other intangible assets, Net Carrying Amount	6,497	5,548
Management Fees, Customer Relationships and Non-Compete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, Gross Cost	33,436	33,036
Other intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	33,075	32,369
Other intangible assets, Net Carrying Amount	$ 361	$ 667

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Estimated Future Amortization Expense (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2017	$ 6,079
2018	779
Total amortization expense	$ 6,858

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Estimated Future Amortization Expense (Parenthetical) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Percentage of intangible asset amortization attributable to non-controlling interests	31.00%

Other Assets and Other Liabilities - Schedule of Other Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred Costs Capitalized Prepaid And Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Current tax receivables and other taxes	$ 29,012	$ 28,499
Prepaid compensation (see Note 14)	49,650	75,703	$ 73,278
Other advances and prepayments	35,659	53,339
Other	67,373	57,282
Total	$ 181,694	$ 214,823

Other Assets and Other Liabilities - Schedule of Other Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Accrued expenses	$ 123,293	$ 128,022
Current income taxes and other taxes	92,044	104,734
Employee benefit-related liabilities	84,703	81,687
Deferred lease incentives	84,287	83,566
Unclaimed funds at LFB	24,997	26,022
Abandoned leased space (principally in the U.K.)	4,973	8,760
Deferred revenue	35,717	30,178
Contingent consideration liability	3,364
Securities sold, not yet purchased	4,482	3,239
Other	44,429	28,489
Total	$ 502,289	$ 494,697

Senior Debt - Senior Debt (Detail) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Senior Debt - Senior Debt (Detail) - USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Feb. 28, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Debt, Outstanding Principal		$ 1,200,000,000	$ 998,350,000
Senior Debt, Outstanding Unamortized Debt Costs		11,400,000	8,992,000
Senior Debt, Outstanding Carrying Value		1,188,600,000	989,358,000
Lazard Group 6.85% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Debt, Initial Principal Amount			$ 600,000,000
Senior Debt, Maturity Date	Jun. 15, 2017		Jun. 15, 2017
Senior Debt, Annual Interest Rate	6.85%		6.85%
Senior Debt, Outstanding Principal			$ 98,350,000
Senior Debt, Outstanding Unamortized Debt Costs			159,000
Senior Debt, Outstanding Carrying Value			98,191,000
Lazard Group 4.25% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Debt, Initial Principal Amount		$ 500,000,000
Senior Debt, Maturity Date		Nov. 14, 2020
Senior Debt, Annual Interest Rate		4.25%
Senior Debt, Outstanding Principal		$ 500,000,000	500,000,000
Senior Debt, Outstanding Unamortized Debt Costs		3,569,000	4,491,000
Senior Debt, Outstanding Carrying Value		496,431,000	495,509,000
Lazard Group 3.75% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Debt, Initial Principal Amount		$ 400,000,000		$ 400,000,000
Senior Debt, Maturity Date		Feb. 13, 2025
Senior Debt, Annual Interest Rate		3.75%		3.75%
Senior Debt, Outstanding Principal		$ 400,000,000	400,000,000
Senior Debt, Outstanding Unamortized Debt Costs		3,833,000	4,342,000
Senior Debt, Outstanding Carrying Value		396,167,000	$ 395,658,000
Lazard Group 3.625% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Debt, Initial Principal Amount	$ 300,000,000	$ 300,000,000
Senior Debt, Maturity Date		Mar. 01, 2027
Senior Debt, Annual Interest Rate	3.625%	3.625%
Senior Debt, Outstanding Principal		$ 300,000,000
Senior Debt, Outstanding Unamortized Debt Costs		3,998,000
Senior Debt, Outstanding Carrying Value		$ 296,002,000

Senior Debt - Senior Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Feb. 28, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loss on extinguishment of debt		$ 3,148,000	$ 60,219,000
Lazard Group 3.625% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Debt, Initial Principal Amount	$ 300,000,000	$ 300,000,000
Senior notes interest rate	3.625%	3.625%
Original Maturity Date		Mar. 01, 2027
Interest rate, payment terms		Interest on the 2027 Notes is payable semi-annually on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning March 1, 2017.
Effective interest rates of senior notes		3.76%
Lazard Group 6.85% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Debt, Initial Principal Amount			$ 600,000,000
Senior notes interest rate	6.85%		6.85%
Redemption of senior debt	$ 98,350,000
Original Maturity Date	Jun. 15, 2017		Jun. 15, 2017
Loss on extinguishment of debt		$ 3,148,000	$ 60,219,000
Lazard Group 3.75% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Debt, Initial Principal Amount		$ 400,000,000		$ 400,000,000
Senior notes interest rate		3.75%		3.75%
Original Maturity Date		Feb. 13, 2025
Interest rate, payment terms		Interest on the 2025 Notes is payable semi-annually on March 1 and September 1 of each year.
Effective interest rates of senior notes		3.87%
Lazard Group 4.25% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Debt, Initial Principal Amount		$ 500,000,000
Senior notes interest rate		4.25%
Original Maturity Date		Nov. 14, 2020
Effective interest rates of senior notes		4.43%

Senior Debt - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Sep. 25, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Unused Lines of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unused lines of credit		$ 179,000,000
LFB [Member] \| Unused Lines of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unused lines of credit		21,000,000
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior revolving credit facility	$ 150,000,000
Duration of senior revolving credit facility, in years	5 years
Expiration of credit facility	2020-09
Outstanding credit facility		$ 0	$ 0

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References + Details

Senior Debt - Debt Maturities Relating to Senior Borrowings Outstanding (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	$ 1,200,000	$ 998,350
Senior Borrowings Outstanding [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2017	0
2018	0
2019	0
2020	500,000
2021	0
Thereafter	700,000
Total	$ 1,200,000

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Jul. 15, 2009	Dec. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Office space and equipment under non-cancelable lease agreements, expiration through year					2033
Rental expense relating to operating leases					$ 76,640,000	$ 79,523,000	$ 80,745,000
Office space under sublease agreements, expiration through year					2022
Sublease income					$ 7,858,000	9,587,000	11,751,000
Capital lease obligation payable through					2017
Weighted average interest rate of capital					6.10%
Book value of assets under capital lease		$ 13,628,000			$ 13,628,000	15,273,000
Abandoned leased space (principally in the U.K.)		4,973,000			4,973,000	$ 8,760,000
Guarantees indemnifications		3,340,000			3,340,000
Collateral/counter-guarantees		3,259,000			3,259,000
LFB [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Other commitments		0			0
LFNY [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Other commitments		$ 0			$ 0
Edgewater Acquisition [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Aggregate fair value of consideration recognized by the company at acquisition date	$ 61,624,000
Common stock issued and issuable	1,142,857
Additional shares of Class A common stock subject to earnout criteria and payable over time	1,142,857
Initial and Earnout shares earned and settled					2,285,714	1,371,992
Other Business Acquisitions [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Common stock issued and issuable				170,988
Number of contingent additional shares earned		0			0
Common stock issuable on non-contingent basis								170,988
Shares issued due to achievement of certain performance thresholds			27,316
Other Business Acquisitions [Member] \| Class A Common Stock [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Common stock issued and issuable		60,817
Other Business Acquisitions [Member] \| Class A Common Stock [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Contingent shares issuable upon satisfaction of performance thresholds		210,431
U.K Lease [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Abandoned leased space (principally in the U.K.)		$ 2,819,000			$ 2,819,000	$ 6,155,000
Buildings [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Net book value of certain buildings that primarily collateralized capital lease obligations					$ 13,538,000	15,121,000
LMDC Holdings [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Sublease income						$ 1,281,000	$ 3,097,000

Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payment for Operating Leases and Capital Leases (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Minimum Rental Commitments Capital - 2017	$ 7,282
Minimum Rental Commitments Capital - 2018	38
Minimum Rental Commitments Capital - 2019	32
Minimum Rental Commitments Capital - 2020	5
Minimum Rental Commitments Capital - 2021	0
Minimum Rental Commitments Capital - Thereafter	0
Total minimum lease payments - Capital	7,357
Less amount representing interest	152
Present value of capital lease commitments	7,205
Minimum Rental Commitments Operating - 2017	75,959
Minimum Rental Commitments Operating - 2018	73,224
Minimum Rental Commitments Operating - 2019	65,368
Minimum Rental Commitments Operating - 2020	62,516
Minimum Rental Commitments Operating - 2021	61,479
Minimum Rental Commitments Operating - Thereafter	489,575
Total minimum lease payments - Operating	828,121
Less sublease proceeds	45,643
Net lease payments	$ 782,478

Members' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 26, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Non-cash capital contributions			$ 30,000
Purchase of Class A common stock (in shares)		8,551,271	3,438,789	4,114,206
Share repurchase remaining authorization		$ 355,125
January and April, 2016 [Member]
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Share repurchase remaining authorization		$ 119,125
Share repurchase authorization expiration date		Dec. 31, 2017
November, 2016 [Member]
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Share repurchase remaining authorization		$ 236,000
Share repurchase authorization expiration date		Dec. 31, 2018
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Common stock held in parent company shares		6,697,790	3,322,385
Lazard Ltd Subsidiaries [Member]
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Distribution to members		$ 301,262	$ 129,787	$ 320,507
Non-cash capital contributions			30,000
Lazard Ltd Subsidiaries [Member] \| Class A Common Stock [Member]
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Shares repurchased, value			$ 45,081
Purchase of Class A common stock (in shares)			896,169
LAZ-MD Holdings LLC [Member]
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Distribution to members				$ 1,862
Shares in exchanges of a like number of common membership interests				710,009
Executive Officers [Member] \| Class A Common Stock [Member] \| Lazard Ltd [Member]
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Shares repurchased, value		$ 4,900	$ 17,700	$ 6,800
Natixis S.A. [Member]
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Shares repurchased, value	$ 50,340
Purchase of Class A common stock (in shares)	1,000,000

Members' Equity - Schedule of Share Repurchase Authorized by Board of Directors (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
April, 2014 [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Share Repurchase Authorization	$ 200,000,000
Expiration	Dec. 31, 2015
February, 2015 [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Share Repurchase Authorization	$ 150,000,000
Expiration	Dec. 31, 2016
January, 2016 [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Share Repurchase Authorization	$ 200,000,000
Expiration	Dec. 31, 2017
April, 2016 [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Share Repurchase Authorization	$ 113,182,000
Expiration	Dec. 31, 2017
November, 2016 [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Share Repurchase Authorization	$ 236,000,000
Expiration	Dec. 31, 2018

Members' Equity - Schedule of Share Repurchase Program (Detail) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share Repurchase Program [Abstract]
Number of Shares Purchased	8,551,271	3,438,789	4,114,206
Average Price Per Share	$ 35.11	$ 50.24	$ 46.83

Members' Equity - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ (189,758)	$ (163,288)	$ (102,196)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(83,543)	(32,779)	(65,841)
Adjustments for items reclassified to earnings, net of tax	2,526	6,309	4,749
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS, NET OF TAX	(81,017)	(26,470)	(61,095)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	(81,017)	(26,470)	(61,092)
Ending balance	(270,775)	(189,758)	(163,288)
Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning balance	(52,687)	(8,625)	35,236
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(56,619)	(44,062)	(43,861)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS, NET OF TAX	(56,619)	(44,062)	(43,861)
Ending balance	(109,306)	(52,687)	(8,625)
Employee Benefit Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning balance	(137,073)	(154,665)	(137,431)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(26,924)	11,283	(21,983)
Adjustments for items reclassified to earnings, net of tax	2,526	6,309	4,749
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS, NET OF TAX	(24,398)	17,592	(17,234)
Ending balance	(161,471)	(137,073)	(154,665)
Total AOCI [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning balance	(189,760)	(163,290)	(102,195)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(83,543)	(32,779)	(65,844)
Adjustments for items reclassified to earnings, net of tax	2,526	6,309	4,749
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS, NET OF TAX	(81,017)	(26,470)	(61,095)
Ending balance	(270,777)	(189,760)	(163,290)
AOCI Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning balance	(2)	(2)	1
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			(3)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS, NET OF TAX			(3)
Ending balance	$ (2)	$ (2)	$ (2)

Members' Equity - Adjustments for Items Reclassified Out of AOCI (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications, net of tax	$ 2,526	$ 6,309	$ 4,749
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization relating to employee benefit plans	4,283	7,816	6,672
Less - related income taxes	1,757	1,507	1,923
Total reclassifications, net of tax	$ 2,526	$ 6,309	$ 4,749

Members' Equity - Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Change In Ownership Interest [Line Items]
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	$ 1,004	$ 83	$ 1,006	$ 3,900	$ (2,445)	$ 1,268	$ 1,043	$ 6,693	$ 5,993	$ 6,559	$ 6,156
Noncontrolling interests	57,246				53,141				57,246	53,141
Edgewater [Member]
Change In Ownership Interest [Line Items]
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests									5,992	6,557	6,153
Noncontrolling interests	57,238				53,132				57,238	53,132
Other [Member]
Change In Ownership Interest [Line Items]
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests									1	2	$ 3
Noncontrolling interests	$ 8				$ 9				$ 8	$ 9

Incentive Plans - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock conversion basis		In May 2014, the remaining outstanding Lazard Group common membership interests held by LAZ-MD Holdings were exchanged for shares of Lazard Ltd’s Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Class A common stock”), and the sole issued and outstanding share of Lazard Ltd’s Class B common stock was automatically converted into one share of Lazard Ltd’s Class A common stock pursuant to the provisions of Lazard Ltd’s bye-laws, resulting in only one outstanding class of common stock (the “Final Exchange of LAZ-MD Interests”). Following the Final Exchange of LAZ-MD Interests, Lazard Group became a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Lazard Ltd.
Number of RSUs issued		1,085,354	693,714	375,954
Subsequent Event [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense, years	2 years 8 months 12 days
Deferred incentive compensation awards including PRSUs valued at target payout level	$ 342,000
Lazard Fund Interests [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense, years		9 months 18 days
One-Third Vesting [Member] \| Lazard Fund Interests [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Incentive awards, vesting date	Mar. 01, 2019
Two-Thirds Vesting [Member] \| Lazard Fund Interests [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Incentive awards, vesting date	Mar. 02, 2020
Non-Executive [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of annual compensation received by directors in the form of DSUs		55.00%
RSUs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
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
Unrecognized compensation expense		$ 141,947
Unrecognized compensation expense, years		9 months 18 days
RSUs [Member] \| One-Third Vesting [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Incentive awards, vesting date	Mar. 01, 2019
RSUs [Member] \| Two-Thirds Vesting [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Incentive awards, vesting date	Mar. 02, 2020
DSUs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Annual compensation paid in DSUs		38,771	23,961	26,360
Units granted under the directors deferred unit plan		10,043	2,482	8,433
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense		$ 32,154
Unrecognized compensation expense, years		10 months 24 days
PRSUs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense		$ 12,588
Unrecognized compensation expense, years		8 months 12 days
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		PRSUs will vest on a single date three years following the date of the grant
Vesting period of PRSUs granted		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 generally can range from zero to two times the target number (with the exception of the PRSUs granted in 2013, for which (i) the performance period ended on December 31, 2014 and (ii) the number of shares of Class A common stock that vested was equal to approximately 2.2 times the target number).
PRSUs [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Incentive awards, vesting date	Mar. 02, 2020
PRSUs [Member] \| March 2015 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period associated with PRSUs					33.00%
PRSUs [Member] \| March 2016 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period associated with PRSUs					67.00%
Class A Common Stock [Member] \| RSUs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Withholding taxes in lieu of share delivery		1,421,396	2,249,935	1,896,930
Delivery of common stock associated with stock awards		3,118,998	5,506,133	4,685,355
Class A Common Stock [Member] \| Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Withholding taxes in lieu of share delivery		141,026	108,833	43,905
Delivery of common stock associated with stock awards		678,846	438,291	237,897
Class A Common Stock [Member] \| Restricted Stock [Member] \| One-Third Vesting [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Incentive awards, vesting date	Mar. 01, 2019
Class A Common Stock [Member] \| Restricted Stock [Member] \| Two-Thirds Vesting [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Incentive awards, vesting date	Mar. 02, 2020
Class A Common Stock [Member] \| PRSUs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Withholding taxes in lieu of share delivery		64,169	32,086
Delivery of common stock associated with stock awards		352,852	664,413
Class A Common Stock [Member] \| Awarded Under 2008 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of outstanding Class A common stock		30.00%
Class A Common Stock [Member] \| 2005 Equity Incentive Plan [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

Incentive Plans - Summary of Impact of Share-Based Incentive Plans on Compensation and Benefits Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based incentive awards:
Share-based incentive awards	$ 260,602	$ 225,995	$ 205,325
RSUs [Member]
Share-based incentive awards:
Share-based incentive awards	171,188	166,395	169,916
PRSUs [Member]
Share-based incentive awards:
Share-based incentive awards	43,018	36,529	18,428
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based incentive awards:
Share-based incentive awards	45,536	22,342	16,110
DSUs [Member]
Share-based incentive awards:
Share-based incentive awards	$ 860	$ 729	$ 871

Incentive Plans - Schedule of Activity Relating to RSUs and DSUs (Detail) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
RSUs [Member]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award [Line Items]
Units, Beginning Balance	9,599,658	13,529,116	16,630,009
Units, Granted	6,878,306	4,296,386	3,825,737
Units, Forfeited	(239,432)	(469,776)	(344,345)
Units, Vested	(4,540,394)	(7,756,068)	(6,582,285)
Units, Ending Balance	11,698,138	9,599,658	13,529,116
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning Balance	$ 44.06	$ 35.19	$ 34.51
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	34.86	48.57	42.59
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited	39.53	43.54	34.52
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	39.16	31.12	37.80
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending Balance	$ 40.65	$ 44.06	$ 35.19
DSUs [Member]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award [Line Items]
Units, Beginning Balance	312,670	286,227	251,434
Units, Granted	48,814	26,443	34,793
Units, Vested	(84,759)
Units, Ending Balance	276,725	312,670	286,227
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning Balance	$ 35.98	$ 34.21	$ 32.02
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	35.23	55.11	50.04
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	35.30
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending Balance	$ 36.05	$ 35.98	$ 34.21

Incentive Plans - Schedule of Activity Relating to RSUs and DSUs (Parenthetical) (Detail) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Dividend participation rights	1,085,354	693,714	375,954

Incentive Plans - Summary of Activity Related to Shares of Restricted Class A Common Stock (Detail) - Restricted Stock [Member] - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award [Line Items]
Units, Beginning Balance	713,738	729,827	575,054
Units, Granted	1,795,258	576,886	449,911
Units, Forfeited	(34,051)	(45,851)	(13,336)
Units, Vested	(819,872)	(547,124)	(281,802)
Units, Ending Balance	1,655,073	713,738	729,827
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning Balance	$ 47.12	$ 38.63	$ 32.72
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	36.76	50.88	45.52
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited	40.48	50.17	41.65
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	37.16	39.50	37.42
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending Balance	$ 40.95	$ 47.12	$ 38.63

Incentive Plans - Summary of Activity Relating to PRSUs (Detail) - PRSUs [Member] - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award [Line Items]
Units, Beginning Balance	1,019,038	1,347,148	448,128
Units, Granted	627,956	368,389	360,783
Units, Earned	360,783		538,237
Units, Vested	(417,021)	(696,499)
Units, Ending Balance	1,590,756	1,019,038	1,347,148
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning Balance	$ 44.49	$ 37.79	$ 36.11
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	32.91	52.85	44.46
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Earned	41.20		34.72
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	38.43	35.96
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending Balance	$ 40.76	$ 44.49	$ 37.79

Incentive Plans - Summary of LFI and Other Similar Deferred Compensation Arrangements (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Deferred Compensation Arrangements [Abstract]
Prepaid Compensation Asset, Beginning Balance	$ 75,703	$ 73,278
Prepaid Compensation Asset, Granted	52,121	89,817
Prepaid Compensation Asset, Settled	0	0
Prepaid Compensation Asset, Forfeited	(2,942)	(4,099)
Prepaid Compensation Asset, Amortization	(73,340)	(82,736)
Prepaid Compensation Asset, Increase (Decrease) in fair value of underlying investments	0	0
Prepaid Compensation Asset, Adjustment for estimated forfeitures	0	0
Prepaid Compensation Asset, Other	(1,892)	(557)
Prepaid Compensation Asset, Ending Balance	49,650	75,703
Compensation Liability, Beginning Balance	193,574	207,306
Compensation Liability, Granted	52,121	89,817
Compensation Liability, Settled	(77,457)	(96,223)
Compensation Liability, Forfeited	(5,380)	(8,052)
Compensation Liability, Amortization	0	0
Compensation Liability, Increase (Decrease) in fair value of underlying investments	3,318	(3,827)
Compensation Liability, Adjustment for estimated forfeitures	4,671	6,780
Compensation Liability, Other	(459)	(2,227)
Compensation Liability, Ending Balance	$ 170,388	$ 193,574

Incentive Plans - Summary of Impact of LFI and Other Similar Deferred Compensation Arrangements (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share Based Compensation [Abstract]
Amortization, net of forfeitures	$ 75,573	$ 85,563	$ 82,359
Change in the fair value of underlying investments	3,318	(3,827)	7,326
Total	$ 78,891	$ 81,736	$ 89,685

Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Equity funds managed by LAM		$ 97,933,000	$ 70,444,000
Contributions to employer sponsored defined contribution plans		14,454,000	$ 12,493,000	$ 11,904,000
Medical Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Settlement of defined benefit plan	$ 2,936,000
Gain on settlement of defined benefit plan		1,788,000
Other Non-U.S. Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected contribution related to the pension plans		10,000,000
U.S. Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected contribution related to the pension plans		$ 0
U.S. Pension Plans [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of plans' assets in debt funds		47.00%	50.00%
U.S. Pension Plans [Member] \| Level 1 [Member] \| NAV [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of plans' assets in equity funds		53.00%	50.00%
U.K. Pension Plans [Member] \| UNITED KINGDOM
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected contribution related to the pension plans		$ 0
Non-U.S. Pension Plans [Member] \| Level 1 [Member] \| Equities And Equity Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of plan assets invested		31.00%	37.00%
Non-U.S. Pension Plans [Member] \| Level 1 [Member] \| NAV [Member] \| Debt and Debt Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of plan assets invested		62.00%	60.00%
Non-U.S. Pension Plans [Member] \| Level 1 [Member] \| NAV [Member] \| Cash And Alternative Investment Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of plan assets invested		7.00%	3.00%

Employee Benefit Plans - Summary of Changes in Benefit Obligations, Fair Value of Assets, Funded Status and Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$ 694,187
Benefit obligation at end of year	718,821	$ 694,187
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	656,084
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	646,119	656,084
U.K. Pension Plans [Member]
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	694,187	764,169
Service cost	1,235	1,530	$ 971
Interest cost	19,871	24,600	30,041
Actuarial (gain) loss	135,164	(22,395)
Benefits paid	(31,904)	(33,253)
Foreign currency translation and other adjustments	(99,732)	(40,464)
Benefit obligation at end of year	718,821	694,187	764,169
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	656,084	672,576
Actual return on plan assets	119,287	9,873	91,829
Employer contributions	11,343	39,301	7,648
Benefits paid	(29,384)	(32,321)	(28,877)
Foreign currency translation and other adjustments	(111,211)	(33,345)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	646,119	656,084	672,576
Funded (deficit) at end of year	(72,702)	(38,103)
Prepaid pension asset (included in “other assets”)	822	20,785
Accrued benefit liability (included in “other liabilities”)	(73,524)	(58,888)
Net amount recognized	(72,702)	(38,103)
Actuarial net loss (gain)	192,855	165,462
Prior service cost	30	2,362
Net amount recognized	192,885	167,824
Medical Plan [Member]
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	4,750	5,514
Service cost	11	27	33
Interest cost	167	179	194
Actuarial (gain) loss	(1,639)	(694)
Benefits paid	(3,289)	(276)
Benefit obligation at end of year		4,750	5,514
Change in plan assets
Employer contributions	3,289	276	221
Benefits paid	$ (3,289)	(276)	$ (221)
Funded (deficit) at end of year		(4,750)
Accrued benefit liability (included in “other liabilities”)		(4,750)
Net amount recognized		(4,750)
Actuarial net loss (gain)		(335)
Net amount recognized		$ (335)

Employee Benefit Plans - Summary of Changes in Benefit Obligations, Fair Value of Assets, Funded Status and Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Pension Plans And Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
Tax benefit amount recognized in AOCI	$ 31,414	$ 30,416

Employee Benefit Plans - Summary of Fair Value of Plan Assets, Accumulated Benefit Obligation and Projected Benefit Obligation (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 646,119	$ 656,084
Accumulated benefit obligation	718,821	694,187
Projected benefit obligation	718,821	694,187
U.S. Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	22,161	23,195
Accumulated benefit obligation	33,868	32,900
Projected benefit obligation	33,868	32,900
Non-U.S. Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	623,958	632,889
Accumulated benefit obligation	684,953	661,287
Projected benefit obligation	$ 684,953	$ 661,287

Employee Benefit Plans - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
U.K. Pension Plans [Member]
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit):
Service cost	$ 1,235	$ 1,530	$ 971
Interest cost	19,871	24,600	30,041
Expected return on plan assets	(27,337)	(28,301)	(32,607)
Amortization of:
Prior service cost	2,369	2,376	2,841
Net actuarial loss (gain)	3,888	5,440	4,360
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	26	5,645	5,606
Actual return on plan assets	119,287	9,873	91,829
Employer contributions	11,343	39,301	7,648
Benefits paid	29,384	32,321	28,877
Net actuarial (gain) loss	51,626	(4,650)	41,082
Reclassification of prior service (cost) credit to earnings	(2,369)	(2,376)	(2,841)
Reclassification of actuarial gain (loss) to earnings	(3,888)	(5,440)	(4,360)
Currency translation and other adjustments	(20,309)	(11,582)	(10,485)
Total recognized in AOCI	25,060	(24,048)	23,396
Net amount recognized in total periodic benefit cost and AOCI	25,086	(18,403)	29,002
Medical Plan [Member]
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit):
Service cost	11	27	33
Interest cost	167	179	194
Amortization of:
Net actuarial loss (gain)	(185)		(529)
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	(1,795)	206	(302)
Settlement gain	(1,788)
Employer contributions	3,289	276	221
Benefits paid	3,289	276	221
Net actuarial (gain) loss	(1,638)	(695)	428
Reclassification of actuarial gain (loss) to earnings	1,973		529
Total recognized in AOCI	335	(695)	957
Net amount recognized in total periodic benefit cost and AOCI	$ (1,460)	$ (489)	$ 655

Employee Benefit Plans - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans And Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
Tax expense (benefit) on other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in AOCI	$ (998)	$ 7,151	$ (7,119)

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Amounts in AOCI on Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition Expected to be Recognized (Detail) - U.K. Pension Plans [Member] $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Prior service cost	$ 30
Net actuarial loss (gain)	$ 5,291

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Assumptions Used to Develop Actuarial Present Value of Projected Benefit Obligation and Net Periodic Pension Cost (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
U.K. Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations, Discount rate	2.50%	3.50%	3.40%
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost, Discount rate	1.90%	2.60%	2.00%
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost, Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	4.60%	4.30%	5.10%
Medical Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations, Discount rate		3.90%	3.70%
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost, Discount rate	3.90%	3.70%	4.30%
Healthcare cost trend rates used to determine net periodic benefit cost, Initial	6.50%	7.00%	7.50%
Healthcare cost trend rates used to determine net periodic benefit cost, Ultimate	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Healthcare cost trend rates used to determine net periodic benefit cost, Year ultimate trend rate achieved	2019	2019	2019

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Effect of Assumed Cost of Healthcare Reported for Company's Post Retirement Plans (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan Effect Of One Percentage Point Change In Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Abstract]
1% Increase, Cost	$ 28
1% Decrease, Cost	(20)
1% Increase, Obligation	661
1% Decrease, Obligation	$ (433)

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments (Detail) - U.K. Pension Plans [Member] $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2017	$ 21,014
2018	23,284
2019	24,307
2020	24,239
2021	25,587
2022-2026	$ 143,220

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Categorization of Plans' Assets (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

Dec. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Plan assets measured at fair value

$ 646,119

$ 656,084

Fair Value of Plan Assets excluding the fair value of plan liabilities

656,668

Plan liabilities measured at Fair Value

584

Derivatives [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Plan liabilities measured at Fair Value

584

Derivative [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Plan assets measured at fair value

618

NAV [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Plan assets measured at fair value

^[1]

349,751

332,084

Level 1 [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Plan assets measured at fair value

295,750

324,584

Level 2 [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Plan assets measured at fair value

618

Plan liabilities measured at Fair Value

584

Level 2 [Member] | Derivatives [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Plan liabilities measured at Fair Value

584

Level 2 [Member] | Derivative [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Plan assets measured at fair value

618

Cash [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Plan assets measured at fair value

23,341

19,172

Cash [Member] | Level 1 [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Plan assets measured at fair value

23,341

19,172

Debt [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Plan assets measured at fair value

63,431

56,247

Debt [Member] | Level 1 [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Plan assets measured at fair value

63,431

56,247

Equities [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Plan assets measured at fair value

29,287

25,901

Equities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Plan assets measured at fair value

29,287

25,901

Alternative Investment Funds [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Plan assets measured at fair value

24,278

1,193

Alternative Investment Funds [Member] | NAV [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Plan assets measured at fair value

^[1]

23,062

525

Alternative Investment Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Plan assets measured at fair value

1,216

668

Debt Funds [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Plan assets measured at fair value

331,054

337,011

Debt Funds [Member] | NAV [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Plan assets measured at fair value

^[1]

320,560

325,312

Debt Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Plan assets measured at fair value

10,494

11,699

Equity Funds [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Plan assets measured at fair value

174,110

217,144

Equity Funds [Member] | NAV [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Plan assets measured at fair value

^[1]

6,129

6,247

Equity Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Plan assets measured at fair value

$ 167,981

$ 210,897

[1]	Represents certain investments measured at NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient in determining fair value. In accordance with current accounting guidance, these investments have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. See Note 3 for additional information.

Income Taxes - Schedule of Provision for Income Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal, current	$ (2,066)	$ 3,917	$ 375
Foreign, current	52,644	75,718	59,296
State and local (primarily UBT), current	4,320	4,811	5,411
Total current	54,898	84,446	65,082
Federal, deferred	(2,902)	(124)	(128)
Foreign, deferred	1,407	(3,960)	9,239
State and local, deferred	(3,730)	1,186	3,622
Total deferred	(5,225)	(2,898)	12,733
Total	$ 49,673	$ 81,548	$ 77,815

Income Taxes - Schedule of Reconciliation of U.S. Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate to Effective Tax Rates (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
U.S. federal statutory income tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Rate benefit for U.S. Partnership operations	(35.00%)	(35.00%)	(35.00%)
Foreign taxes	10.40%	13.50%	12.70%
State and local taxes	0.10%	1.10%	1.70%
Other, net	(1.00%)	0.80%
Effective income tax rate	9.50%	15.40%	14.40%

Income Taxes - Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred Tax Assets:
Basis adjustments	$ 18,755	$ 19,353
Compensation and benefits	78,524	99,714
Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards	31,870	44,060
Depreciation and amortization	848	840
Other	8,093	6,486
Gross deferred tax assets	138,090	170,453
Valuation allowance	(55,194)	(89,100)	$ (101,531)	$ (116,830)
Deferred tax assets (net of valuation allowance)	82,896	81,353
Deferred Tax Liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,599	1,702
Compensation and benefits	5,446	9,332
Goodwill	340	357
Other	24,369	28,371
Deferred tax liabilities	31,754	39,762
Net deferred tax assets	$ 51,142	$ 41,591

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Cumulative loss period	3 years
Valuation allowance amount	$ 55,194	$ 89,100	$ 101,531	$ 116,830
Deferred tax assets recorded due to net operating losses and tax credit carryforwards	31,870
Indefinite-lived carryforwards	16,546
Other certain tax credit carryforwards	$ 4,852
Certain carryforwards begin to expire	2022
Deferred tax assets will be recorded for previously unrecognized excess tax benefits outstanding	$ 17,035	$ 21,484
Income tax examination, description	With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to income tax examination by foreign tax authorities and by U.S. federal, state and local tax authorities for years prior to 2012. While we are under examination in various tax jurisdictions with respect to certain open years, the Company does not expect that the result of any final determination related to these examinations will have a material impact on its financial statements. Developments with respect to such examinations are monitored on an ongoing basis and adjustments to tax liabilities are made as appropriate.
Unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties recorded that may be recognized within 12 months	$ 17,000

Income Taxes - Summary of Changes in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Beginning Balance	$ 89,100	$ 101,531	$ 116,830
Credited to provision for income taxes	(30,185)	(12,016)	(14,165)
Charged (credited) to other comprehensive income	(3,721)	(415)	(1,134)
Ending Balance	$ 55,194	$ 89,100	$ 101,531

Income Taxes - Summary of Changes in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance (Parenthetical) (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Acquisition related deferred tax assets offset by valuation allowance	$ 2,218

Income Taxes - Schedule of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Balance, January 1 (excluding interest and penalties of $13,083, $13,004 and $11,814, respectively)	$ 46,822	$ 42,904	$ 39,173
Increases in gross unrecognized tax benefits relating to tax positions taken during prior years	5,891		2,451
Increases in gross unrecognized tax benefits relating to tax positions taken during current years	11,194	12,456	11,663
Decreases in gross unrecognized tax benefits relating to tax positions taken during prior years	(5,316)	(621)	(3,191)
Decreases in gross unrecognized tax benefits relating to settlements with tax authorities	(1,706)
Decreases in gross unrecognized tax benefits relating to lapse of the applicable statute of limitations	(8,984)	(7,917)	(7,192)
Balance, December 31 (excluding interest and penalties of $15,392, $13,083 and $13,004, respectively)	$ 47,901	$ 46,822	$ 42,904

Income Taxes - Schedule of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest and penalties	$ 15,392	$ 13,083	$ 13,004	$ 11,814

Income Taxes - Schedule of Additional Information Relating to Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecognized tax benefits at the end of the year that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective tax rate (includes interest and penalties of $15,392, $13,083 and $13,004, respectively)	$ 53,347	$ 44,327	$ 40,353
Unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would not affect the effective tax rate	9,946	15,578	15,555
Interest and penalties recognized in current income tax expense (after giving effect to the reversal of interest and penalties of $3,143, $3,865 and $2,791, respectively)	$ 2,309	$ 79	$ 1,190

Income Taxes - Schedule of Additional Information Relating to Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest and penalties	$ 15,392	$ 13,083	$ 13,004	$ 11,814
Reversal of interest and penalties	$ 3,143	$ 3,865	$ 2,791

Related Parties - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Receivables from related party	$ 28,702	$ 108,817
Non-cash capital contributions		30,000
Asset management fees	998,887	1,036,821	$ 1,080,842
Fees receivable	564,291	423,817
Lazard Ltd Subsidiaries [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Receivables from related party	20,365	106,567
Non-cash capital contributions			91,028
Interest income related to interest-bearing loans	250	373	5,816
Notes payable related parties current and noncurrent	60,500	102,000
Non-cash capital contributions		30,000
Interest expense related to interest-bearing loans with subsidiaries	3,503	3,917	5,657
Sponsored Funds [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Asset management fees	516,667	534,752	$ 532,415
Fees receivable	$ 49,944	$ 42,002

Regulatory Authorities - Additional Information (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
LFNY [Member]
Regulatory Requirements [Line Items]
Specified fixed percentage, minimum required capital	6.67%
Minimum net capital requirement as defined under securities exchange act	$ 100,000
Regulatory capital	182,571,000
Regulatory capital in excess of minimum requirement	$ 176,352,000
Aggregate indebtedness to net capital ratio	0.51
LFNY [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Regulatory Requirements [Line Items]
Aggregate indebtedness to net capital ratio	15
U.K. Subsidiaries [Member]
Regulatory Requirements [Line Items]
Regulatory capital	$ 125,426,000
Regulatory capital in excess of minimum requirement	109,581,000
CFLF [Member]
Regulatory Requirements [Line Items]
Regulatory capital	131,227,000
Regulatory capital in excess of minimum requirement	94,318,000
Combined European Regulated Group [Member]
Regulatory Requirements [Line Items]
Regulatory capital	159,102,000
Regulatory capital in excess of minimum requirement	84,949,000
Other U.S. and Non-U.S. Subsidiaries [Member]
Regulatory Requirements [Line Items]
Regulatory capital	123,351,000
Regulatory capital in excess of minimum requirement	$ 98,902,000

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Sales Revenue, Net [Member] \| Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Individual clients did not constitute more than a specific percentage of net revenue	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%

Segment Information - Segment's Contribution with Respect to Net Revenue, Operating Expenses, Operating Income (Loss) and Total Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue	$ 690,679	$ 607,877	$ 533,711	$ 497,604	$ 592,620	$ 572,852	$ 607,951	$ 576,853	$ 2,329,871	$ 2,350,276	$ 2,300,736
Operating Expenses	529,700	458,244	420,377	399,557	453,490	422,884	446,815	496,242	1,807,878	1,819,431	1,759,761
Operating Income (Loss)	160,979	$ 149,633	$ 113,334	$ 98,047	139,130	$ 149,968	$ 161,136	$ 80,611	521,993	530,845	540,975
Total Assets	3,515,984				3,389,054				3,515,984	3,389,054	3,163,773
Depreciation and amortization of property									33,268	32,785	34,463
Operating Segments [Member] \| Financial Advisory Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue									1,301,044	1,279,628	1,206,734
Operating Expenses									1,011,495	1,005,837	977,681
Operating Income (Loss)									289,549	273,791	229,053
Total Assets	883,384				763,374				883,384	763,374	785,557
Depreciation and amortization of property									5,665	4,412	4,826
Operating Segments [Member] \| Asset Management Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue									1,051,316	1,111,105	1,134,595
Operating Expenses									769,737	736,798	749,345
Operating Income (Loss)									281,579	374,307	385,250
Total Assets	645,653				640,034				645,653	640,034	588,403
Depreciation and amortization of property									3,666	2,957	2,610
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue									(22,489)	(40,457)	(40,593)
Operating Expenses									26,646	76,796	32,735
Operating Income (Loss)									(49,135)	(117,253)	(73,328)
Total Assets	$ 1,986,947				$ 1,985,646				1,986,947	1,985,646	1,789,813
Depreciation and amortization of property									$ 23,937	$ 25,416	$ 27,027

Segment Information - Schedule of Revenue from External Customers and Identifiable Assets, by Geographical Areas (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue	$ 690,679	$ 607,877	$ 533,711	$ 497,604	$ 592,620	$ 572,852	$ 607,951	$ 576,853	$ 2,329,871	$ 2,350,276	$ 2,300,736
Operating Income (Loss)	160,979	$ 149,633	$ 113,334	$ 98,047	139,130	$ 149,968	$ 161,136	$ 80,611	521,993	530,845	540,975
Identifiable Assets	3,515,984				3,389,054				3,515,984	3,389,054	3,163,773
United States [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue									1,369,939	1,307,245	1,308,509
Operating Income (Loss)									331,616	288,121	341,592
Identifiable Assets	1,950,507				1,711,971				1,950,507	1,711,971	1,672,419
UNITED KINGDOM
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue									313,538	307,072	277,610
Operating Income (Loss)									89,279	70,742	61,744
Identifiable Assets	238,195				282,403				238,195	282,403	266,584
France [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue									311,028	350,841	376,432
Operating Income (Loss)									47,390	73,675	87,308
Identifiable Assets	899,738				992,541				899,738	992,541	809,241
Other Western Europe [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue									168,329	151,892	150,810
Operating Income (Loss)									35,699	22,277	12,634
Identifiable Assets	141,038				125,921				141,038	125,921	135,889
Rest of World [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue									167,037	233,226	187,375
Operating Income (Loss)									18,009	76,030	37,697
Identifiable Assets	$ 286,506				$ 276,218				$ 286,506	$ 276,218	$ 279,640

Supplemental Financial Information - Quarterly Results - Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]
Net revenue	$ 690,679	$ 607,877	$ 533,711	$ 497,604	$ 592,620	$ 572,852	$ 607,951	$ 576,853	$ 2,329,871	$ 2,350,276	$ 2,300,736
Operating expenses	529,700	458,244	420,377	399,557	453,490	422,884	446,815	496,242	1,807,878	1,819,431	1,759,761
Operating income	160,979	149,633	113,334	98,047	139,130	149,968	161,136	80,611	521,993	530,845	540,975
Net income	160,416	127,980	97,612	86,312	110,491	122,981	146,672	69,153	472,320	449,297	463,160
Less - net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,004	83	1,006	3,900	(2,445)	1,268	1,043	6,693	5,993	6,559	6,156
Net income attributable to Lazard Group	$ 159,412	$ 127,897	$ 96,606	$ 82,412	$ 112,936	$ 121,713	$ 145,629	$ 62,460	$ 466,327	$ 442,738	$ 457,004

Schedule I - Condensed Statements of Financial Condition (Parent Company Only) (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

Dec. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 1,131,440

$ 1,025,844

$ 917,212

$ 832,277

Investments in subsidiaries, equity method

222

8,917

Property, net

208,997

207,165

Goodwill and other intangibles assets-net

358,982

326,976

Other assets

181,694

214,823

Total Assets

3,515,984

3,389,054

3,163,773

Liabilities:

Accrued compensation and benefits

539,944

570,409

Senior debt

1,188,600

989,358

Other liabilities

502,289

494,697

Total Liabilities

2,779,844

2,686,154

Commitments and contingencies

MEMBERS’ EQUITY

Members' equity

949,669

839,517

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

(270,775)

(189,758)

(163,288)

(102,196)

Total Members’ Equity

736,140

^[1]

702,900

^[2]

494,139

^[3]

536,126

Total Liabilities and Members’ Equity

3,515,984

3,389,054

Parent Company [Member]

ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents

280,666

184,482

$ 196,660

$ 130,570

Due from subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd

317,308

351,825

Other receivables, net

3,807

Investments in subsidiaries, equity method

1,358,404

1,205,240

Other investments

139,693

175,689

Property, net

98,158

92,393

Goodwill and other intangibles assets-net

38,673

3,232

Other assets

42,960

64,895

Total Assets

2,279,669

2,077,765

Liabilities:

Accrued compensation and benefits

156,416

196,477

Due to subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd

150,550

157,353

Senior debt

1,188,600

989,358

Other liabilities

105,209

84,818

Total Liabilities

1,600,775

1,428,006

Commitments and contingencies

MEMBERS’ EQUITY

Members' equity

949,669

839,517

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

(270,775)

(189,758)

Total Members’ Equity

678,894

649,759

Total Liabilities and Members’ Equity

$ 2,279,669

$ 2,077,765

[1]	At December 31, 2016, in addition to profit participation interests, there were two managing member interests.
[2]	At December 31, 2015, in addition to profit participation interests, there were two managing member interests.
[3]	Includes 129,766,090 common membership interests issued at December 31,2014. Also includes profit participation interests and two managing member interests.

Schedule I - Condensed Statements of Operations (Parent Company Only) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
REVENUE
Interest income									$ 5,449	$ 5,661	$ 11,108
Other									80,901	86,583	75,567
Total revenue									2,383,601	2,405,161	2,368,941
Interest expense									53,730	54,885	68,205
Net revenue	$ 690,679	$ 607,877	$ 533,711	$ 497,604	$ 592,620	$ 572,852	$ 607,951	$ 576,853	2,329,871	2,350,276	2,300,736
OPERATING EXPENSES
Compensation and benefits									1,338,819	1,319,620	1,313,550
Professional services									42,772	46,796	44,495
Amortization and other acquisition-related costs									32,539	5,821	6,387
Other									40,674	98,923	39,202
Total operating expenses	529,700	458,244	420,377	399,557	453,490	422,884	446,815	496,242	1,807,878	1,819,431	1,759,761
OPERATING INCOME	160,979	149,633	113,334	98,047	139,130	149,968	161,136	80,611	521,993	530,845	540,975
Provision for income taxes									49,673	81,548	77,815
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO LAZARD GROUP LLC	$ 159,412	$ 127,897	$ 96,606	$ 82,412	$ 112,936	$ 121,713	$ 145,629	$ 62,460	466,327	442,738	457,004
Parent Company [Member]
REVENUE
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries									642,653	670,322	648,152
Interest income									886	1,366	6,997
Other									810	(9)	7,329
Total revenue									644,349	671,679	662,478
Interest expense									47,898	51,047	63,005
Net revenue									596,451	620,632	599,473
OPERATING EXPENSES
Compensation and benefits									86,418	109,777	123,409
Professional services									4,971	4,963	5,300
Amortization and other acquisition-related costs									30,819	266	400
Other									5,903	60,797	9,426
Total operating expenses									128,111	175,803	138,535
OPERATING INCOME									468,340	444,829	460,938
Provision for income taxes									2,013	2,091	3,934
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO LAZARD GROUP LLC									$ 466,327	$ 442,738	$ 457,004

Schedule I - Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parent Company Only) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO LAZARD GROUP LLC	$ 159,412	$ 127,897	$ 96,606	$ 82,412	$ 112,936	$ 121,713	$ 145,629	$ 62,460	$ 466,327	$ 442,738	$ 457,004
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX:
Currency translation adjustments									(56,619)	(44,062)	(43,861)
Employee benefit plans:
Actuarial gain (loss) (net of tax expense (benefit) of $(2,754), $5,644 and $(9,045) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively)									(26,924)	11,283	(21,983)
Adjustment for items reclassified to earnings (net of tax expense of $1,757, $1,507 and $1,923 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively)									2,526	6,309	4,749
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS, NET OF TAX									(81,017)	(26,470)	(61,095)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO LAZARD GROUP LLC									385,310	416,268	395,912
Parent Company [Member]
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO LAZARD GROUP LLC									466,327	442,738	457,004
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX:
Currency translation adjustments									(56,619)	(44,062)	(43,858)
Employee benefit plans:
Actuarial gain (loss) (net of tax expense (benefit) of $(2,754), $5,644 and $(9,045) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively)									(26,924)	11,283	(21,983)
Adjustment for items reclassified to earnings (net of tax expense of $1,757, $1,507 and $1,923 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively)									2,526	6,309	4,749
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS, NET OF TAX									(81,017)	(26,470)	(61,092)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO LAZARD GROUP LLC									$ 385,310	$ 416,268	$ 395,912

Schedule I - Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parent Company Only) (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Tax expense (benefit) on actuarial gain (loss), employee benefit plans	$ (2,754)	$ 5,644	$ (9,045)
Tax expense, adjustment for items reclassified to earnings, employee benefit plans	1,757	1,507	1,923
Parent Company [Member]
Tax expense (benefit) on actuarial gain (loss), employee benefit plans	(2,754,000)	5,644,000	(9,045,000)
Tax expense, adjustment for items reclassified to earnings, employee benefit plans	$ 1,757,000	$ 1,507,000	$ 1,923,000

Schedule I - Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Parent Company Only) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income attributable to Lazard Group	$ 159,412	$ 127,897	$ 96,606	$ 82,412	$ 112,936	$ 121,713	$ 145,629	$ 62,460	$ 466,327	$ 442,738	$ 457,004
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred tax provision (benefit)									(5,225)	(2,898)	12,733
Loss on extinguishment of debt									3,148	60,219
Depreciation and amortization of property									33,268	32,785	34,463
Gain on acquisition of portion of business already owned									(12,668)
Amortization and other acquisition-related costs									32,539	5,821	6,387
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Net cash provided by operating activities									634,929	768,900	722,364
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Additions to property									(38,749)	(26,629)	(22,184)
Net cash used in investing activities									(37,653)	(25,952)	(20,099)
Proceeds from:
Excess tax benefit from share-based incentive compensation									4,072	13,300	5,149
Issuance of senior debt, net of expenses									296,757	396,272
Other financing activities									24,484		200
Payments for:
Senior debt									(101,441)	(509,098)
Capital lease obligations									(1,619)	(1,826)	(2,171)
Distribution to members									(301,262)	(129,787)	(322,369)
Settlement of vested share-based incentive compensation									(56,078)	(120,116)	(85,442)
Purchase of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock									(300,217)	(215,642)	(141,192)
Other financing activities									(4,797)	(2,371)	(5,840)
Net cash used in financing activities									(441,989)	(585,279)	(561,879)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents									105,596	108,632	84,935
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—January 1				1,025,844				917,212	1,025,844	917,212	832,277
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—December 31	1,131,440				1,025,844				1,131,440	1,025,844	917,212
Parent Company [Member]
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income attributable to Lazard Group									466,327	442,738	457,004
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries									(642,653)	(670,322)	(648,152)
Deferred tax provision (benefit)									96	2,219	2,441
Loss on extinguishment of debt									3,148	60,219
Amortization of deferred expenses and share-based incentive compensation									326,629	301,164	277,800
Depreciation and amortization of property									9,509	9,869	9,731
Gain on acquisition of portion of business already owned									3,591
Amortization and other acquisition-related costs									30,819	266	400
Distributions received from subsidiaries									393,287	527,373	563,036
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Due to/from subsidiaries									31,785	4,211	49,983
Other investments									31,694	21,556	(54,235)
Other operating assets and liabilities									(81,093)	(126,537)	(17,881)
Net cash provided by operating activities									573,139	572,756	640,127
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Additions to property									(15,274)	(251)	(7,473)
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary										1,413
Capital contribution to subsidiaries									(2,773)	(18,566)	(16,987)
Net cash used in investing activities									(18,047)	(17,404)	(24,460)
Proceeds from:
Excess tax benefit from share-based incentive compensation									27	13,300	5,149
Issuance of senior debt, net of expenses									296,757	396,272
Other financing activities									8,004		200
Payments for:
Senior debt									(101,441)	(509,098)
Capital lease obligations									(38)	(88)	(83)
Distribution to members									(301,262)	(129,787)	(322,369)
Settlement of vested share-based incentive compensation									(56,078)	(120,116)	(85,442)
Purchase of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock									(300,217)	(215,642)	(141,192)
Other financing activities									(4,660)	(2,371)	(5,840)
Net cash used in financing activities									(458,908)	(567,530)	(549,577)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents									96,184	(12,178)	66,090
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—January 1				$ 184,482				$ 196,660	184,482	196,660	130,570
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—December 31	$ 280,666				$ 184,482				$ 280,666	$ 184,482	$ 196,660

Schedule I - Basis of Presentation (Parent Company Only) (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Parent Company [Member]
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Gain included in equity of earnings of subsidiaries related to increase in fair value of investment prior to acquisition	$ 16,259