Clifford Chance (CC) has revealed a trainee retention rate which outpaces its Magic Circle rivals to have announced so far with the firm keeping on 96% of its cohort. Meanwhile Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) managed a rate of 71%.
All 45 of the trainees offered positions by CC, out of the initial intake of 47, decided to accept positions with the firm – giving it an autumn 2015 retention rate ahead of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Slaughter May. Freshfields revealed a rate of 83% earlier this month with 40 out of 48 taking positions at the firm, Slaughters meanwhile kept on 89%.
Last year, CC kept on just 75% of its autumn qualifiers with 40 staying at the firm out of a 53-strong cohort.
Meanwhile, BLP revealed that it has kept on 17 trainee with 14 staying in London and three taking positions at international offices. Real estate is seeing the largest intake of newly-qualifieds with seven joining in London, two in Abu Dhabi and one in Berlin. The rest of the cohort is split between corporate and disputes which are taking three apiece and one lawyer who is qualifying into BLP’s tax practice.
Anthony Lennox, BLP partner and training principle said: ‘At BLP we are always looking to recruit and retain the best talent which will help the firm continue its growth. We’ve offered this year’s trainee intake contracts across a range of our practice areas which is pleasing. It is also great that three of our trainees have accepted contracts in Berlin and Abu Dhabi which reaffirms our commitment to offering exciting opportunities across our international offices.’
michael.west@legalease.co.uk
