Law firms reveal strong trainee retention rates
updated on 25 February 2025
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Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, A&O Shearman and Linklaters LLP have announced the retention rates for their trainees due to qualify this spring, reaching 88%, 84% and 75%, respectively.
Newly merged A&O Shearman retained 31 of its 37 trainees – 36 applied to remain at the multinational law firm, with 35 offers made and 31 trainees accepting newly qualified (NQ) solicitor positions. The firm’s latest 88% retention rate is a huge jump from the 66% rate recorded in autumn 2024, which was the first retention rate following the merger. James Partridge, early careers partner and training principal in London, spoke of the firm’s “unparalleled global community of colleagues” and the opportunities the NQs will have to “work on market-defining, complex and high-profile matters for the world’s leading businesses”.
At global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills, out of the 33 final-seat trainees, 32 applied for NQ solicitor positions, with the firm making 29 offers – all of which were accepted. The firm’s latest 88% retention rate is down by 6% from its autumn 2024 rate (94%). Despite this, partner and training principal David Rosen said the firm is “excited that, once again, so many of our trainees have elected to pursue their careers with the firm”. Rosen added: “Their decisions reflect our determination to simultaneously create a nurturing and stimulating working environment, where our teams can be bold, outstanding and human in their approach to each other and our clients. It also reflects the skill and long-term potential we see in our trainees and highlights our continued desire to discover and develop high-quality lawyers.”
Elsewhere, magic circle law firm Linklaters saw 43 out of its 57 trainees worldwide accept NQ positions. The firm reported a slightly higher retention rate (79%) for its London cohort, with 35 out of the 48 trainees receiving London offers, and three receiving offers in Dubai, Singapore and Tokyo. In addition, seven trainees from Hong Kong, Singapore, the Middle East and Australia received offers to qualify in London. Chris Stevenson, trainee development partner at Linklaters, said the firm is looking forward to “seeing their careers take off as they take full advantage of our market-leading training and platform, bringing diverse and global experiences to deliver the best for our clients”.
