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Lazard Inc. (formerly known as Lazard Ltd and Lazard Frères & Co.) is a financial advisory and asset management firm that engages in investment banking, asset management and other financial services, primarily with institutional clients. It is the world's largest independent investment bank, with principal executive offices in New York City, Paris and London.
Lazard was founded in 1848 and operates from 41 cities across 26 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Central and South America. The firm provides advice on mergers and acquisitions, strategic matters, restructuring and capital structure, capital raising and corporate finance, as well as asset management services to corporations, partnerships, institutions, governments and individuals.
In 1854, Alexandre Lazard moved to Paris, France, where he opened an office to complement the U.S. business. The firm began advising the French government on gold buying. In 1870, the firm continued to expand its international operations, opening an office in London as well.Guy de Rougemont, Lazard Frères, Banquiers des Deux Mondes (1840–1939), Librairie Arthème Fayard, 2010
The name "Lazard Frères" means "Lazard Brothers" or "the Brothers Lazard" in French. It refers to associations of the Lazard brothers to form various financial services institutions with world-wide offices and investments.
In the economic boom following World War II, the American operations of Lazard expanded significantly under the leadership of the French financier André Meyer. Meyer and Lazard partner Felix Rohatyn have been credited with virtually inventing the modern mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market.
In 1953, Lazard Investors Ltd began an asset management business in London, which is the origin of today's Lazard Asset Management.
In 2002, David-Weill hired Bruce Wasserstein to be CEO. Lazard became a public company in 2005, with nearly two-thirds of its shares owned by current and former employees. Wasserstein became its first chairman and CEO. In connection with the initial public offering (IPO), Lazard spun off its broker-dealer business, Lazard Capital Markets.
Following Wasserstein's death in 2009, Lazard's board of directors elected Kenneth M. Jacobs as chairman and CEO.
During the Greek sovereign debt crisis, Lazard served as advisor to the Greek government, securing "the biggest restructuring deal in history" in 2012. They were hired again by the incoming Syriza party in 2015. The crisis was finally resolved in 2018.
Lazard invested in a startup investment bank, Independence Point Advisors, in late 2021.
On May 26, 2023, the firm announced that Peter R. Orszag, CEO of Financial Advisory, had been unanimously elected by its Board to serve as CEO of Lazard and as a Board Director, effective October 1, 2023. Orszag became chief executive officer of Lazard on October 1, 2023. On January 1, 2025, Orszag's role expanded to serve as CEO and Chairman of Lazard's Board of Directors.
The publicly traded partnership Lazard Ltd was reincorporated under the Delaware General Corporation Law effective January 1, 2024 and changed its name from Lazard Ltd to Lazard, Inc.
In 2025, Lazard and alternative credit firm Arini Capital Management have formed a strategic alliance to collaborate on sourcing and direct lending opportunities across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
In Paris, the Lazard offices were located successively at 17, boulevard Poissonnière (1885–1907); 5–7, rue Pillet-Will (1907–1979); 141, boulevard Haussmann (1979–2020); and 175, boulevard Haussmann (since September 2020).
Lazard's New York City headquarters spans the top floors of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, including what used to be Room 5600, the former offices of the Rockefeller family dynasty.
Management
Past chairmen
Board of directors
Lazard's board of directors as of October 2025:
Notable current and former employees
Business
Politics and public service
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