Freshfields retains 82 per cent of smallest intake in years

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has become the final magic circle firm to reveal its retention figures for spring 2016, keeping on 31 of 38 qualifiers, or 82 per cent.

The firm offered newly-qualified jobs to 33 final-seat trainees, with two declining them.

Freshfields’ group of 38 qualifiers is the smallest in years. Between 2010 and 2015 the number of qualifying trainees has fluctuated between 45 and 50 per intake.

Over the past few years the firm’s retention has remained fairly consistent, with no huge fluctuations.

Freshfields’ news means that 17 firms have now published their retention results for spring 2016. A total of 331 trainees out of 382 (87 per cent) have been kept on.

Of the magic circle, Slaughter and May retained 95 per cent, Allen & Overy kept 91 per cent, Linklaters 83 per cent and Clifford Chance 80 per cent.