Clifford Chance is retaining 77% of its qualifying trainees this Autumn.

The Magic Circle firm received 44 applications out of a cohort of 47. It made 36 offers, all of which were accepted. 

77% is a pretty mediocre figure and represents a drop after a couple of more impressive rounds. The firm retained 92% of its Spring-qualifying class and 81% last Autumn.

Clifford Chance trainees responding to the RollOnFriday Firm of the Year 2018 survey were generally very happy with their lot. "Obviously pay isn't on par with US firms", said a trainee, "but objectively the pay is still fantastic". NQ pay at Clifford Chance, which is £87k inclusive of bonus, "could edge closer to the US firms", said a trainee colleague, "but ultimately nearly 90k is nothing to sniff at, especially if I work slightly better hours than the US firm recruits, and have a better name for the CV". 

"But I love it here!"

Another trainee said the firm provided "exceptional training" and "a menagerie of 'perks'", (a swimming pool in the sky, for example) and the only thing that would make them leave would be "not getting an NQ offer". So hopefully they got one. RollOnFriday's not sure if the fourth-seater who left of their own accord was the same trainee who complained in the survey that the loo roll was "like sandpaper".

Sound the horns and squeeze the hamster, trainee retention season is open. If you know your firm's stats, write in.