Linklaters retains 93 per cent of NQs

Of the 57 trainee solicitors who are due to qualify next month, 56 applied for newly qualified (NQ) positions. The firm made 53 offers, all of which have been accepted. This compares favourably to Linklaters’ autumn 2010 and spring 2011 results, when the firm retained 87 and 82 per cent of its NQs respectively (read more).

Out of the top 10 Slaughter and May is the strongest performer as the only firm to post a 100 per cent NQ retention figure. This is followed closely by Freshfields Bruckhuas Deringer, which retained 96 per cent of its autumn 2011 qualifiers. Linklaters came in third, while DLA Piper takes the fourth spot with a retention rate of 90 per cent.

Meanwhile, Clifford Chance, Eversheds and Herbert Smith posted results of 83, 87 and 80 per cent respectively.

Allen & Overy and Hogan Lovells are so far the worst performers in the top 10 with retention figures of 72 and 73 per cent respectively.

Norton Rose is the only 10 firm not to have reported its retention rate.