85%

Baker McKenzie has announced an 85% retention rate for its latest batch of London trainees. Of the 20 qualifying trainees, 17 are staying on in newly qualified (NQ) roles with the firm.

The cohort of fresh-faced associates will spread across a range of practice areas. Disputes takes the largest share with four NQs, while employment welcomes three. The corporate teams also see new joiners, with two each heading to corporate M&A and corporate energy & infrastructure, and one apiece to corporate finance and corporate private equity. Other destinations include antitrust & competition (two NQs), intellectual property (one NQ), and financial services regulatory (one NQ).

James Robinson, Baker McKenzie’s London training principal, said:

“We’re proud to welcome our latest cohort of newly qualified lawyers into the London office as they take the next step in their legal careers. Our commitment to nurturing talent continues through competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and industry-leading training. Our London office plays a pivotal role within our global network and offers lawyers an exceptional platform to collaborate across jurisdictions, deepen their expertise and work on our clients’ most complex cross-border deals and matters.”

The Legal Cheek Firms Most List 2026 shows NQs in the firm’s London office earn £145,000, up from the £61,000 second-year trainee salary.

Trainee retention rates: the story so far…

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Firm	Trainees	Retained	Retention Rate	NQ Destinations
Wedlake Bell	8	8	100%	2 to insolvency; 1 each to commercial disputes, construction, corporate, tax, IP/commercial, and private client
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer	31	29	94%	Undisclosed
Irwin Mitchell	53	48	91%	14 to Business Services Group; 12 to Medical Negligence; 9 to Court of Protection & Public Law & Human Rights; 8 to Private Client Group; 4 to Personal Injury; 1 to General Counsel
RPC	18	16	89%	6 to insurance; 6 to disputes (3 IP/tech, 2 commercial litigation, 1 media); 4 to corporate & commercial
Watson Farley & Williams	18	16	89%	5 to asset finance; 4 to project finance; 2 to corporate; 1 to debt capital markets; 2 to disputes and 1 to finance in Dubai; 1 to disputes in Bangkok
Clifford Chance	57	49	86%	Undisclosed
Macfarlanes	28	24	86%	Undisclosed
Baker McKenzie	20	17	85%	4 to disputes; 3 to employment; 2 each to antitrust & competition, corporate energy & infrastructure, and corporate M&A; 1 each to corporate finance, corporate private equity, intellectual property, and financial services regulatory
Linklaters	40	33	83%	Undisclosed
A&O Shearman	54	37	69%	Undisclosed
Withers	14	9	65%	Undisclosed

64% score with two rookies opting out of NQ process

Withers has announced that 9 of its 14 trainee solicitors will be staying on as associates, resulting in a retention rate of 64%.

Of the 12 final-seat trainees who applied for roles, nine have accepted offers, all of which are on a permanent basis. Two opted out of the process prior to the interviews commencing.

The Legal Cheek Firms Most List 2025 shows that the firm recruits around 13 trainees each year, offering a starting salary of £47,000. Upon qualification, NQ associates at this private client specialist earn £95,000.

Summer trainee retention rates: the story so far…

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Firm	Trainees	Retained	Retention Rate	NQ Destinations
Wedlake Bell	8	8	100%	2 to insolvency; 1 each to commercial disputes, construction, corporate, tax, IP/commercial, and private client
RPC	18	16	89%	6 to insurance; 6 to disputes (3 IP/tech, 2 commercial litigation, 1 media); 4 to corporate & commercial
Watson Farley & Williams	18	16	89%	5 to asset finance; 4 to project finance; 2 to corporate; 1 to debt capital markets; 2 to disputes and 1 to finance in Dubai; 1 to disputes in Bangkok
A&O Shearman	54	37	69%	Undisclosed
Withers	14	9	65%	Undisclosed

69%

A&O Shearman has announced a summer trainee retention score of 69% as it continues to adjust to life post mega-merger.

The transatlantic powerhouse confirmed 37 trainees have accepted offers to remain at the firm as newly qualified lawyers. All will be given permanent positions.

The firm, formed from the merger of Magic Circle player Allen & Overy and US outfit Shearman & Sterling last May, has a summer qualifying cohort of 54 trainees, comprising rookies from both legacy firms.

This unusually large cohort of trainees seems to have sparked tough competition for NQ roles this summer. Of the 54 trainees, 50 applied for qualification, with 40 offers made.

James Partridge, early careers partner and training principal in London, said:

“We’re pleased to see another strong group of our trainees continuing their journey with A&O Shearman. We are excited to see them grow as they take on the next stage of their careers.”

The numbers remain consistent with the last year’s summer retention at A&O Shearman which saw 40 offers handed out to the first post-merger cohort of 56 trainees, 37 of which were accepted.

Summer trainee retention rates: the story so far…

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Firm	Trainees	Retained	Retention Rate	NQ Destinations
Wedlake Bell	8	8	100%	2 to insolvency; 1 each to commercial disputes, construction, corporate, tax, IP/commercial, and private client
RPC	18	16	89%	6 to insurance; 6 to disputes (3 IP/tech, 2 commercial litigation, 1 media); 4 to corporate & commercial
Watson Farley & Williams	18	16	89%	5 to asset finance; 4 to project finance; 2 to corporate; 1 to debt capital markets; 2 to disputes and 1 to finance in Dubai; 1 to disputes in Bangkok
A&O Shearman	54	37	69%	Undisclosed

89%

Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) has reported a strong summer trainee retention score of 89%.

The City outfit confirmed that 16 of its 18 final-seat trainees will be staying on upon qualification later this summer. There are no fixed term contracts.

Twelve will begin their careers in the firm’s London office, with five qualifying into asset finance, four into project finance, two into corporate, and one into debt capital markets.

Three newly qualified (NQ) solicitors will join the firm’s Dubai office – two in disputes and one in finance — while the final NQ will join the disputes team in Bangkok.

“Notably, four of our NQs will be starting their careers in our international offices — one in Bangkok and three in Dubai — reflecting the truly global nature of our firm and the breath of opportunities available across our network,” firm training principle Kavita Shah said. “It is particularly encouraging to see continued interest in our overseas seats, which offer rich, hands-on experience in dynamic markets.”

Summer trainee retention rates: the story so far…

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Firm	Trainees	Retained	Retention Rate	NQ Destinations
Wedlake Bell	8	8	100%	2 to insolvency; 1 each to commercial disputes, construction, corporate, tax, IP/commercial, and private client
RPC	18	16	89%	6 to insurance; 6 to disputes (3 IP/tech, 2 commercial litigation, 1 media); 4 to corporate & commercial
Watson Farley & Williams	18	16	89%	5 to asset finance; 4 to project finance; 2 to corporate; 1 to debt capital markets; 2 to disputes and 1 to finance in Dubai; 1 to disputes in Bangkok

89% and 100%

RPC and Wedlake Bell have kicked off the summer trainee retention season with impressive results, posting scores of 89% and 100% respectively.

RPC announced it will retain 16 of its 18 trainees, with all who applied for newly qualified roles securing positions.

Twelve of the new qualifiers will be based in London, with the remain four in Bristol. Six are joining the insurance practice, while another six will work in disputes. Three will join IP and tech, two are starting in commercial litigation, and one in media. The remaining four will join the corporate and commercial team.

The Legal Cheek Firms Most List shows RPC’s new London-based qualifiers will earn between £80,000 and £90,000, depending on their department. In Bristol, NQ rates are set at £56,000.

Training principal Laura Stocks said: “The high retention rate reflects the strength of this year’s group and how well-regarded they are across the business.”

Meanwhile, Wedlake Bell has confirmed it will retain all eight of its qualifying trainees this summer. Two will join the insolvency team, while the remaining six will take up roles in commercial disputes, construction, corporate, tax, IP/commercial, and private client.

Managing partner Martin Arnold said: “We are delighted to have retained our entire trainee cohort this year. Each of them has already made significant contributions to the firm, and their energy, professionalism and dedication exemplify the future of Wedlake Bell.”

The Firms Most List shows that Wedlake Bell’s new recruits will see their salaries rise from £45,000 as second-year trainees to £78,000 upon qualification.