Clifford Chance boosts NQ lawyer pay as regional firms try to keep pace

updated on 16 November 2021

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Clifford Chance has raised its newly qualified (NQ) lawyer salaries to £107,500 – a 7% increase from £100,000 – as the NQ lawyer pay war continues.

The magic circle firm’s new NQ base rate, which will come into effect from 2022, now matches those of Allen & Overy LLP and Linklaters LLP.

Meanwhile, regional commercial law firms are reportedly increasing NQ salaries by more than 20%, according to recent research, as they try to keep pace with the NQ lawyer pay war ongoing in the City. NQ lawyer salaries at Osborne Clarke LLP’s Reading office have jumped by £11,000 to £65,000 and Bristol law firm Burges Salmon LLP boosted NQ pay by 20% to £60,000.