Slaughter and May continues to burnish its reputation for high retention rates, having offered jobs to all its September-qualifying trainees.

All but one of a 34-strong intake accepted, resulting in a stonking 97% retention rate for the firm. Slaughters has traditionally been good at hanging on to its big-brained intakes, and the latest result follows impressive scores in Spring (95%) and last September (90%).

Which shows up Clifford Chance, whose September retention rate is just 75%. The firm offered jobs to 42 of its 53 qualifying trainees. Two didn't accept, leaving the firm languishing behind Slaughters as well as Linklaters and Freshfields, which managed 93% and 82% respectively.


  With a job in the bag, Chris did whatever he felt like in his fourth seat

Strong results were not limited to the Magic Circle, and have been pouring in from across the field. RollOnFriday Firm of the Year 2014 Latham & Watkins posted an impressive 89% retention rate, with offers made to 17 of its 18 qualifiers (one turned it down). LW is one of the few firms to have increased rather than trimmed its intake in recent years. In a clear sign of confidence in the market, it has more than doubled the size of its cohorts since 2008. Partner Catherine Drinnan said the move was “in anticipation of further growth in London".

Meanwhile, Herbert Smith Freehills is retaining a very decent 87% of its trainees (41 out of 47). And Macfarlanes scored 84%, finding positions for 22 of its 25 September qualifiers, with one declining its offer. Managing Partner Charles Martin mourned their loss, saying that the firm aims to offer acceptable jobs to all its trainees, but "there are various reasons why either or both sides of this equation may not always work". Nevertheless, he said "we are pretty satisfied with the 2014 figures".

There were also good retention rates from Bond Dickinson (86%) and BLP (82%). Check out the stats below:



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Comments

Anonymous 15 August 14 09:30

Seems strange to have such a low retention rate given CC's positive financials