Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has become the final magic circle firm to publish its retention results for spring 2019, keeping on 78 per cent of its final-seat trainees.
It retained 32 of 41 in newly qualified positions, having offered jobs to 35 of them.
The firm’s retention figures have wavered of late. Up until 2016 it consistently posted retention figures in excess of 80 per cent but in three of the last four rounds has dipped below that mark.
Meanwhile, Hogan Lovells has retained 26 of its 29 trainees, or 90 per cent.
Eleven join the corporate team, nine go to litigation, arbitration and employment, three to competition, two to finance and one to IP.
| Spring 2019 retention so far | Trainees retained | Trainees left | Total number of qualifiers | Percentage retained |
| Stephenson Harwood | 8 | 0 | 8 | 100.0 |
| Mayer Brown | 4 | 0 | 4 | 100.0 |
| Slaughter and May | 34 | 1 | 35 | 97.1 |
| Clifford Chance | 46 | 5 | 51 | 90.2 |
| Hogan Lovells | 26 | 3 | 29 | 89.7 |
| Allen & Overy | 39 | 8 | 47 | 83.0 |
| Linklaters | 41 | 10 | 51 | 80.4 |
| Freshfields | 32 | 9 | 41 | 78.0 |
| White & Case | 12 | 4 | 16 | 75.0 |
| Ropes & Gray | 2 | 1 | 3 | 66.7 |
