Clifford Chance posts 82 per cent retention

Clifford Chance has revealed that it is keeping on 82 per cent of its autumn 2016 qualifiers.

The magic circle firm offered jobs to 41 of 49 qualifiers, with 40 accepting.

It is a slight improvement on the 80 per cent retention the firm posted in the spring.

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Among Clifford Chance’s fellow magic circle firms Allen & Overy is retaining 86 per cent of its cohort this September, Linklaters is keeping 91 per cent and Freshfields 95 per cent.

Meanwhile, US firm Sullivan & Cromwell is keeping on all four of its final-seat trainees. All four will qualify into the firm’s General Practice group in London.

Sullivan & Cromwell training partner Ben Perry said: “We are delighted that all of our trainee solicitors who have qualified to date, both last year and this year, have remained with the firm following qualification. Both they and our current trainee solicitors are very talented and make a great contribution to the firm. We are looking forward to working with them as they continue their careers with us.”

Eversheds has kept on 40 of 52 qualifiers, equating to 77 per cent retention. As the chart below shows, it is the firm’s worst performance in some years.

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Eighteen newly qualifieds will work in Eversheds’ company commercial department, with nine going to litigation, eight will start to real estate, and the final five joining the human resource team; that is, employment and pensions.

The firm’s London office takes 17 NQs, Birmingham gains seven, Cardiff, Leeds and Nottingham four apiece, with the final two taking up positions in Manchester and Doha.

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