Top firms reveal NQ retention rates

Linklaters, RPC and Taylor Wessing have revealed high trainee retention rates as we emerge from covid-19-induced lockdowns.

Magic circle firm Linklaters has announced that it will be keeping on 45 out of 48 (94%) of its trainees – up 7% on its retention rate from last year. The firm’s trainee development partner, Richard Hodgson, said: “We are very pleased to report that we have once again retained a strong and diverse cohort of talented trainees, retaining 94% of our September 2021 qualifying intake. A huge congratulations to our newly qualified lawyers who have excelled in what have been extraordinary times.”

RPC will retain 86% of its trainees (12 out of 14) in the latest UK intake who are due to qualify in September 2021. Parham Kouchikali, the firm’s training and principal partner, said that the high retention rate “speaks volumes of the talented people that are attracted to RPC and the quality of our training programme to retain these ambitious individuals.” Kouchikali also commented on the trainees’ resilience as they completed parts of their training contract virtually. Of the 12 NQ lawyers continuing their legal journey with RPC, 10 will be based in the London office and two in Bristol.

Meanwhile, after increasing its NQ salary by 5% as the law firm pay war continues, Taylor Wessing has revealed that 74% of its trainee intake will remain at the firm (14 out of 19). Again, the trainees’ “resilience” was recognised in light of the pandemic, with Lerika Joubert, the firm’s graduate recruitment partner, confirming that the 2019 intake has also “contributed significantly to the continued growth of the firm”.