CMS Cameron McKenna has retained 73 per cent of its qualifiers this autumn.

The firm, which is in three-way merger talks with Olswang and Nabarro, had 30 qualifiers this autumn. Lawyer 2B understands the firm has kept on 22 of them in newly qualified (NQ) roles, though CMS has not responded to requests for comment.

It continues a mediocre run of retention for CMS (see below). Earlier this year the firm kept on 61 per cent of its spring qualifiers.

CMS retention 2016

Lawyer 2B also understands that one of the firms CMS is in talks with, Nabarro, has kept on 23 of 27 qualifiers, or 85 per cent, though the firm has not confirmed this figure.

Elsewhere, Clyde & Co has retained 34 out of 43 qualifiers, or 79 per cent.

The result is a slight improvement on the firm’s 2015 result, but not in the region of three excellent performances between 2012 and 2014.

Clyde retention 2016

The firm has kept on 25 qualifiers in London, with two each going to Manchester and Dubai and one apiece taking up roles on Guildford, Oxford, Singapore, Doha and San Francisco.

Eight of Clydes’ NQS will work in real estate projects and construction roles, with seven joining the insurance practice. Seven more go into disputes roles, four to marine and two each to corporate, employment and international arbitration. The final two trainees will work in the ship finance and the technology, media and privacy teams.

Clyde retention location 2016

Meanwhile, Bristol-headquartered Burges Salmon has revealed it too has kept on 23 of 27 qualifiers (85 per cent). It is a result down on last year, when the firm kept on all of its qualifiers.

Burges Salmon retention 2016