More firms have revealed their retention figures for the autumn.
Eversheds Sutherland has retained 45 out of its 50 final-seat trainees in newly qualified (NQ) roles, or 90 per cent. All are on permanent contracts, and four are in Hong Kong. Of the five trainees who are leaving one withdrew before interviews took place after securing a role with a niche firm specialising in music law, two received offers from Eversheds Sutherland but have declined them and two did not receive offers but secured roles at other firms.
Of those remaining, 18 join the corporate commercial practice, 12 go to employment and pensions, six to real estate and five to disputes. Chief People Officer Lorraine Kilborn said: “We would like to extend a huge congratulations to all of our 2021 trainee cohort, of which we’ll be welcoming many as newly-qualified associates in September. We are delighted this year to have confirmed 79 lawyers across our practice groups in the UK and Hong Kong, and would also like to welcome those who will be joining from outside of the firm.”
Burges Salmon has retained 22 of 26 qualifiers on permanent contracts in Bristol. The firm said 25 trainees applied for, and were offered NQ roles within the firm but a higher number than usual choose to relocate on qualification this year as a result of many returning home during lockdowns over the last 18 months.
Elsewhere, Simmons & Simmons says it is retaining 16 of 20 trainees on permanent contracts while Baker McKenzie is keeping 17 of 19. Four of Bakers’ trainees will take up NQ jobs in banking and finance, three each in the corporate and EU/competition teams, two each in employment and tax and the final three in disputes, IP/tech and pensions.
