As trainees across the land spin in their office chairs and transform into qualified solicitors, the latest round of retention figures can be revealed. 

DAC Beachcroft  joins Weil, White & Case, Jones Day, Sullivan & Cromwell, and Shearman & Sterling at the top of the table with a perfect retention rate of 100%. Hurrah and a flute of the office prosecco to the 11 trainees being kept on.

Ashurst announced a solid retention rate of 86%, as 18 out of its brood of 21 trainees will be staying. Eversheds confirmed that 37 out of its 45-strong intake are being kept on, a retention rate of 82%. However, while a few party streamers will undoubtedly be let off in the Eversheds library, the autumn results do not quite measure up to its flawless retention rate of 100% in the spring. Meanwhile Dentons is keeping on 16 of its 20 trainees, a retention rate of 80%.

A trainee celebrating yesterday.

The celebrations at other firms will be slightly more muted. Norton Rose Fulbright will be keeping 24 of its 31 trainees, a rate of 77%. And CMS is just behind with a retention rate of 76% (38 out of its 50 trainees), which is not the strongest figure, but still an improvement on its pisspoor retention rate of 62% in the spring. And Clyde & Co announced a not-too-spectacular retention rate of 76% (29 out of 38).

Here is the current round-up:


If your firm isn't in the table, drop us a line here to let us know how qualification is going at your shop.