Stephenson Harwood is retaining 11 out of 12 qualifiers in London, three on fixed-term contracts. Three will join the commercial litigation, three will join corporate and three finance. The final two will go to real estate/projects and the employment, pensions and private wealth team.
“This was a particularly strong cohort of qualifying trainees, and I am really pleased that so many of them will continue their careers with Stephenson Harwood,” said training partner Lisa Marks. “These are extraordinary times, and the world continues to reel from the impact of the global pandemic. Businesses are under more intense pressure than ever before, and it’s never been more important that we have the right people, in the right places, to support them as they face the challenges of the coming weeks, months and years. Our newly qualified lawyers form a central part of our ability to do this, and I am confident that we will continue to foster an environment in which they can fulfil their full potential and thrive in their legal careers.”
Meanwhile, Osborne Clarke has kept on 22 of 23 qualifiers all on permanent contracts. In Reading, two trainees go into corporate and one in commercial; in Bristol seven qualifiers join property disputes, employment, restructuring, commercial disputes, projects, incentives, and the financial institutions group; while in London two join corporate, two commercial, two real estate, one IP disputes, one construction disputes, one employment, one regulatory disputes and one the financial institutions group. UK managing partner Ray Berg said: “Congratulations to our newly qualified solicitors. They have all worked exceptionally hard and I am thrilled so many have chosen to stay with us. We aim to keep as many of our trainees as possible and our high retention rates are a testament to the quality of our programme and the supportive and inclusive culture we offer at Osborne Clarke.”
Latham & Watkins is keeping on 23 of 24 trainees while fellow US firm Akin Gump, which pays one of the highest newly qualified (NQ) salaries in London, is keeping on five of six qualifiers, all on permanent contracts. Two join the investment funds team, with the other three going to international trade, tax, and corporate finance. One of the NQs will join the Dubai office, with the others taking up jobs in London.
Training partner Vance Chapman said: “We are very pleased to have been able to retain nearly all our trainees on qualification since the start of the Akin Gump trainee programme in 2014. We look forward to welcoming our diverse and high calibre class of 2020 and are proud as always to have supported them through the early stages of their career in the law.”
