The post HSF Kramer posts 94% trainee retention score appeared first on Legal Cheek.
]]>29 out of 31 
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has posted an impressive 94% autumn trainee retention rate.
All 31 trainees qualifying this month applied for newly qualified (NQ) associate roles, with the firm making 30 offers — 29 of which were accepted. None of the roles are on fixed-term contracts.
The Legal Cheek Firms Most List 2026 shows HSF Kramer pays its NQs a salary of £145,000, a substantial jump from the £61,000 offered to second-year trainees.
David Rosen, partner and training principal at HSFKramer, said:
“In an increasingly competitive marketplace for legal talent, where attracting and retaining top candidates is more challenging than ever, we continue to see significant numbers of our trainees choosing to build their careers with the firm. Their desire to do so is, in part, because of the opportunity to work on complex and ground-breaking cases and transactions, using the latest technology to advise clients, and also as a result of our determination to provide an environment that is as supportive as it is stimulating.”
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 |
| Linklaters | 40 | 33 | 83% | Undisclosed |
| A&O Shearman | 54 | 37 | 69% | Undisclosed |
| Withers | 14 | 9 | 65% | Undisclosed |
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]]>The post HSF Kramer launches mentoring scheme to support neurodivergent trainees appeared first on Legal Cheek.
]]>Participants paired with senior mentors from professional services firms
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has launched a new mentoring programme aimed at supporting neurodivergent lawyers at the start of their careers.
The scheme, delivered in partnership with consultancy Nurturing Neurodivergence, is initially open to paralegals, trainees and associates in the firm’s London and Brussels offices. Participants will be matched with senior mentors from other professional services firms and supported through a combination of online and in-person contact over six months, with the option to extend the relationship at the end.
The programme will provide an opportunity for neurodivergent individuals to share the challenges they have faced across their professional and personal lives in a safe space, learn techniques for dealing with a range of scenarios and capitalise on their strengths.
“We are committed to creating a workplace where different ways of thinking are not just accepted, they are truly valued and celebrated,” said Jeremy Walden, HSF Kramer’s executive partner UK & EMEA. “Our new mentoring programme is about helping members of our neurodivergent community recognise their strengths, build confidence, and connect with others who understand the career journey they are embarking on.”
Alongside the mentoring, the firm is creating a team of ‘Neurodiversity Champions’. These trained volunteers will act as points of contact for colleagues seeking guidance or adjustments, and will work with HR to raise awareness of neuro-inclusion across the firm.
Around 15% of the UK population — roughly one in seven people — are neurodivergent, meaning their brains work, learn or process information in different ways. This can include conditions such as autism, ADHD and dyslexia.
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]]>The post HSF sees revenue and profit rise in final year before Kramer merger appeared first on Legal Cheek.
]]>PEP climbs to £1.4 million
Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has reported solid financial results for the year prior to its summer merger with US outfit Kramer Levin.
The firm, which officially merged with Kramer Levin last month to form Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, grew revenue 4% to £1.36 billion in the year to 30 April 2025. Profits hit £486.9 million, up 9.5% on the previous year, while profit per equity partner (PEP) climbed 8.6% to £1.4 million.
It marks the twelfth consecutive year of revenue growth for the global firm, which now boasts a combined global turnover of around $2.7 billion following the merger.
Reflecting on the milestone, global CEO Justin D’Agostino said:
“This is our best-ever financial performance, and marks 12 consecutive years of revenue growth — a very fitting final set of results for Herbert Smith Freehills. We are proud to have achieved growth across all regions despite significant macroeconomic challenges in many of our markets.”
The figures drop during a busy summer reporting season across the City, with both Clifford Chance and Linklaters posting strong results earlier this week.
The bumper results come just weeks after HSF Kramer confirmed it had upped newly qualified (NQ) solicitor pay in London to £145,000 — an uplift of £10k.
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