Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has become the final magic circle firm to reveal its spring 2021 retention results, keeping on 32 of 34 newly qualified (NQ) solicitors on permanent contracts. All 32 of the NQs will be based in London.
Training partner Craig Montgomery said: “We are delighted to be retaining a very high proportion of our March 2021 qualifying intake. This is a real testament to the strength of the lawyers who have thrived in an unprecedented time. It is also a reflection of our ongoing commitment to recruiting, retaining and developing top talent for the future.”
The qualifying cohort size of 34 is the smallest at Freshfields in many years .
Elsewhere, Macfarlanes has retained all six of its qualifiers on permanent contracts. Graduate recruitment partner Jat Bains said: “It’s excellent to have once again retained all of our spring trainee cohort upon qualification. We are pleased that they have chosen to build the next phase of their careers with us. Notwithstanding the pandemic, we take a long-term view, recruiting our trainees to be the partners of the future.”
The results leave only Hogan Lovells, Addleshaw Goddard and Norton Rose Fulbright outstanding of the large firms with March qualifiers.
