Spring Retention Rates Announced

Mar 23, 2015

Written By Billy Sexton, Editor, AllAboutLaw.co.uk

In the past month or so, trainee solicitors up and down the country have been finding out if they are to be retained by their firm.

A number of firms have announced their retention rates and it has been a particularly impressive round for White & Case, Nabarro and Orrick, who have all kept on 100% of their trainees. White & Case have traditionally had high retention rate, and Nabarro are enjoying a second successive spring where they have a 100% retention – woo hoo!

The magic circle have also enjoyed the spring season. Slaughter and May kept on 34 of 42 trainees (81%), with Freshfields keeping 41 of 48 (85%).

Herbert Smith Freehills, Ashurst and Reed Smith also had strong rates, all keeping on 91% of their cohort.

Osbourne Clarke and Olswang have both retained all but one of their trainees with rates of 89% and 88%, respectively. Baker & McKenzie kept on 14 of their 17 trainees; Norton Rose Fulbright kept on 21 of 26; Hogan Lovells kept 21 of 32.

Finally, Berwin Leighton Paisner retained 14 of their 23 trainees, with Mayer Brown keeping three of five and Addleshaw Goddard keeping 50% - two of four.

Trainee retention rates give prospective trainees an idea of how they can expect to fare during their training contract, but don’t be put off by low rates. If we look at Addleshaw Goddard, for example, every trainee they retained contributed to 25% of their rate, whereas for Herbert Smith Freehills, each trainee retained contributed 2.6%!

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